# Want to fix up basement. Not sure where to begin. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272 "2009-11-12T03:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/21 "2009-11-13T18:22:56Z")
I’ve only personally used wood. A friend of mine at work (who is also an engineer and definitely not a construction pro) used metal when he did his basement. I asked him how difficult the metal studs were to deal with and he said they weren’t difficult at all. So that’s where my recommendation that either metal or wood is fine comes from. And as for how difficult it is, my opinion is that if a couple of idiot engineers like us can do it then anyone who is reasonably handy should be able to do it. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/22 "2009-11-13T19:20:23Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I’ve only personally used wood. A friend of mine at work (who is also an engineer and definitely not a construction pro) used metal when he did his basement. I asked him how difficult the metal studs were to deal with and he said they weren’t difficult at all. So that’s where my recommendation that either metal or wood is fine comes from. I don’t know if this is really a problem, but I’d be worried that the metal studs would transmit the cold from the unfinished basement wall to the drywall, making cold lines up the walls. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/23 "2009-11-13T21:34:31Z")
> [@TheBori](#): > > I just spent a year finishing my basement. Crafter-Man, it’s not as hard as you think. Like WPA-Guy said…get a book. I had one for reference..details, tips and tricks, that sort of thing. Otherwise it’s a very straightforward process. > \*\*I put in 2x4 studs, electircal outlets, etc per code (also referenced in the book), lots of lights and switches (it’s much easier before the drywall goes up), closets, doors, etc. I put in a drop ceiling (2.5 inches from the joists) as I wanted to make sure I could access utilities, etc in the ceiling. > I used a single-shot powder actuated nail gun (Remington). It worked like a charm driving nails into a fully hardened poured concrete floor. A compressor and nail driver for stud assembly was a huge time and effort saver.\*\*Are you sure you want to do one room at a time?It’s a messy business. > I had a great time and the results are very satisfying. > Good luck. I’d echo pretty much everything **TheBori** said, particularly the bolded portion. Mine took about 3 weeks several years ago, but I was between jobs at the time and worked on it about 10 hours a day. However, I put in a drywall ceiling instead of drop. Mudding & taping overhead is a royal pain in the ass, so when I finish the basement in my current house, it’s drop all the way. I used fiberglass batt roll insulation between studs in the walls & between joists in the ceiling. Also, if you’re putting in a new wall parallel to and in front of the existing exterior block wall, I’d suggest attaching a couple 3" PVC pipes to the back of the stud wall, one high & one low, in case in the future you ever want to run a cable to the other side of the room (CATV, speaker wire, etc). It’ll be much easier than fishing it back there once it’s completed. Check your local codes but you can probably save a bunch of money by using 2x3’s instead of 2x4’s. The walls aren’t load-bearing and they’re much easier to work with. For the floor, run furring strips with 1/2" polystyrene insulation panels in between and top with plywood. Carpet that and you’ll have a nice, warm floor. ---
**Author:** ![old\_joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/58956e/32.png) [@old\_joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/old_joe)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/24 "2009-11-13T23:46:37Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > For the floor, run furring strips with 1/2" polystyrene insulation panels in between and top with plywood. Carpet that and you’ll have a nice, warm floor. I agree with the flooring idea but id use the squares that come with plastic dimples like this [http://www.dricore.com/en/eIndex.aspx](http://www.dricore.com/en/eIndex.aspx) easy to install. I helped a buddy and it went pretty smooth. Keeps the floor dry and warm. it pretty much feels like the living room floor instead of freezing your feet. At least up here in Canada the winters get cold. I Second the drop ceiling esp if you need to get in there to do plumbing etc. And i dont know why you would need a pro to bust the concrete and dig a trench. $30 bucks for a electric jackhammer and a shovel, no trouble at all. good luck ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/25 "2009-11-13T23:57:24Z")
I think a lot of you are forgetting that the OP has no experience with this kind of renos. Jim and I know just enough to know what we can and can’t handle (and both of us have construction experience). Most of renovating a basement isn’t hard, but it is something that you have to learn how to do. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/26 "2009-11-14T00:21:34Z")
Excellent advice. Thanks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Fritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fritz)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/27 "2009-11-14T13:03:41Z")
Crafter\_Man seems to have gotten some good info, so I’ll risk a slight hijack: For those of us contemplating a project like his, what book or books would you recommend as guides? I know Time-Life did a series of books on Plumbing, Wiring, Framing, etc. a long time ago (I may still have those somewhere…) but perhaps there are better choices now. Home Depot and Lowes has a ton of books, but I’ve heard some chatter that some of them may not be especially trustworthy. Is there a “gold-standard” set of books? ---
**Author:** ![old\_joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/58956e/32.png) [@old\_joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/old_joe)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/28 "2009-11-15T01:11:03Z")
> [@Fritz](#): > > Crafter\_Man seems to have gotten some good info, so I’ll risk a slight hijack: > > For those of us contemplating a project like his, what book or books would you recommend as guides? well not books but experience. when i knew i was going to build my own garage i helped a neighbor build his. I learned a lot that just wasnt obvious. Like framing the walls so that the plywood actually falls on the MIDDLE of the stud.. The beer was good too 😛 PS I saved $15k over my other neighbor. Paid for a lot of tools.. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/29 "2009-11-15T15:14:41Z")
> [@Fritz](#): > > For those of us contemplating a project like his, what book or books would you recommend as guides? Yeah - and websites, please, while you are at it. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/31 "2010-12-16T02:49:15Z")
I think you need to take a step or two back and think about why you want to finsh the basement. I can think of a bunch of reasons that might lead you to plan your renovations differently. Do you want to be able to rent it out as an apartment? Do you want a game room? gyest bedroom? A workshop of some kind? Are you looking to increase the resale value of the house? Me, I would start with a bathroom if there’s not one down there already. Because you’ll find it useful while you do the rest of your renovating. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/32 "2010-12-16T03:12:44Z")
Wow, it’s been over a year since I posted this. An update: I fixed up half of the basement. The portion I fixed up consists of two areas. One area is a home theater, and the other is a wet bar. It’s not completely finished, though. I’d estimate it’s 95% finished. When it’s completely done, I’ll post links to before-and-after pictures. 🙂 FYI, I learned a LOT of things about home improvement during the course of the work. Here are few general things I learned: 1. It takes a _ **lot** _ more money than you think. I am going to be paying on this for a few years. ☹ 2. If you do most (or all) the work yourself, it will take a \*\*\*lot \*\*\*more time than you think. 3. You need LOTS of patience. If you rush the jobs, it will turn out crappy. But it was all worth it. Glad I did it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/35 "2012-04-19T04:19:38Z")
It is a lot of work. I’d recommend the powder actuated gun for attaching to the walls and floor. You have to frame around the windows and doors, leave access panels to utilities, and plan for the floor treatment, wiring, and pipes as you frame. Then you have to install the walls, floors, ceiling, outlets, switches, doors, and light fixtures. It will certainly occupy your time. If it was me, I’d frame the whole thing first. Get my lumber and tools, and keep doing the same thing until it was all done. Then do all the wiring, then the all the walls, etc. But that’s just the way I like to do things. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272/36 "2012-04-20T18:41:31Z")
> [@johndeniel](#): > > For making the water proof of your basement, first you should install the sump pump. It is the necessary elements of the basement. Then you can go towards the wood studs. It makes dry of your basement. Then you can try with thermal dry wall system. We don’t have a sump pump. And don’t have a water problem in the basement. Oh, and I guess I still need to post photos. Will work on that… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-fix-up-basement-not-sure-where-to-begin/517272.md?page=1)