For the average American household, the livable square footage available to them has increased by more than 1,000 square feet since 1973, according to the latest figures of the Census Bureau. Yet, American households are spending $424 billion in home improvement every year, using that money to finish their basements, improve their kitchen, replace windows and other home improvement projects that add livable space and other commodities to their home.
Finishing a basement is one of the home improvement projects that can take a lot of time, effort and money to have it done. Finishing a basement requires preparation.
You might not see the advantages of having a livable space that is “healthy” right away, but at the end of the project you are going to be happy you did it.
Before you begin planning and choosing the flooring and paint for the finished basement, there are a few steps you need to take to make sure you are ready to start this project.
- Declutter the basement – We store things in the basement that we do not use but cannot bare to part with them. If you haven’t used those items in a while, and you have no sentimental value for them, donate them or throw them away.
- Inspect the basement for any seepage, leaking, cracks or sediment left on the walls- Check for water where the wall meets the floor.
- Inspect the pipes to make sure there are not leaks coming from the inside of the house.
Once you have made sure the basement is clean and free of leaks, mold, and mildew you need to start researching basement waterproofing companies for your project.
There are many waterproofing companies in the Northeast Ohio area. Choosing the right one can be a difficult task and you can be an easy target for dishonest contractors. Before you sign any papers or verbally commit to do a project with a company, do your homework first:
- Ask for a free no obligation quote first
- make sure you have at least three different quotes from three different companies before you decide.
- Consult the Better Business Bureau to check the companies’ rating, any complains they have and whether or not those complains were resolved. Make sure the company you hire has a long history in the community and has a good reputation.
- Check the company’s testimonials and ask for different people to check for inconsistencies or good experiences with the job they did.
- Make sure the contract is clear and any questions you have need to be answered before the job starts.
Having a clean, dry basement is good for the family. The air in the basement will have the clean smell you were missing before. The clutter and musty smell that permeated the basement won’t be missed, and you can finally begin to enjoy that part of your home.
