Is your home beginning to feel cramped and crowded? Do you need more space to meet the needs of your growing family or do you just want a place to call your own?

Instead of adding on to your home - which can be quite expensive and can interrupt your daily routine during construction - why not consider making the most of your existing living space by renovating your basement?

A finished basement may be used as an office, family room or can even be converted to a rental for a little extra income. All this can be accomplished at a fraction of the cost of building an addition to your home. Of course, prices vary by location and with the complexity and size of your project, but remodeling a basement usually starts at about $20 per square foot.

Here are some other things to consider if you would like to renovate your basement:
If your basement has water problems, you will want to correct those before spending money to fix it up. Most water problems are due to inadequate control of roof runoff, which may be solved simply by repairing any cracks in the foundation and cleaning out the gutters. Although, you may also check to make sure that the ground around your home slopes away from the house.

Another consideration should be making sure that your plans meet your city's building codes. You may want to contact your local inspector during the planning phase of your project. Specifications that are covered by the building codes include ceiling height, emergency exits and stairways.

While you are still in the planning phase, take a look at water lines and drains, air ducts, and lines for your water-heating system, which may all be in the way of your renovation. Wiring and plumbing can be moved, but that will increase the cost of your project; instead, you can hide these by installing drop ceilings.

Finally, keep your basement from feeling damp and smelly musty by using a dehumidifier and/or a reversing ventilation fan. If you plan to cover concrete walls with sheetrock and drywall, be sure to add a layer of insulation in between to prevent mold or mildew from growing on your new walls.

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