If you’re thinking about finishing your basement you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you plan to do the work yourself, hire a contractor or a little of both this website should be able to help you out.
Two years ago I finished my basement without any previous construction skills or knowledge.
Now I’m taking all of my notes and photos and putting them online.
This Website is about Finishing Your Basement
Hello and Welcome. My name is Jason.
I’ve been working on this site to be your guide for great basement ideas, basement permits, framing, electrical, painting, trim, pool tables, dart boards, bars, man caves, women caves, kid corners you name it.
This website will show you:
- how you can finish a basement
- how to estimate the cost of finishing your basement
- how to get started with some simple starter projects
- which tools to buy and how to use them
- why you can and should do your own electrical work
Be sure to subscribe to the email list. You’ll get access to my basement cost estimation spreadsheet. plus, I have a great tip right of the bat that can save you more than 40% on power tools.
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Exclusive Tips and Free Content
I also hope to show you how finishing your basement can give you tons of personal confidence and teach you all sorts of the new skills that have nothing to do with home improvement.
I Had Zero Experience Finishing a Basement
My two little “helpers”. Most common question “When are you going to be done?”
Please don’t think that you have to be Bob Villa or some super smart uber learner to undertake a project like this. I was not a handyman in any sense of the word prior to this project.
I didn’t own any tools beyond a hammer and a drill. I had trouble just hanging pictures straight. I once tried to install a new dimmer light switch in our dining room and took the power out to half of my house.
I would not have even attempted to try such a large project without the help and guidance of my friends from work. They had both finished their basements on their own and then they helped me with information, explanations and inspiration.
I’m building this site to be the “friend whose just finished their basement” for everyone!
I still had to read a decent sized stack of books. I also had to get over the learning curves at each phase (and you will as well). But having a resource to get a jump start is critical. Having somewhere to go to ask specific questions and get ideas speeds up the cycle of learning significantly and makes the project much more fun.
Writing From a Different Perspective
I’m not a professional basement finisher and I don’t plan to be. But this is a good thing. It gives me a great perspective from which to write to you.
I’m writing about struggles and concepts that many professional blogs and books will gloss over because to them it may be obvious.
Don’t get me wrong, my work and knowledge-base is excellent I got all the proper permits and passed all of my inspections.
I’m not bragging but I got glowing feedback from the “pros” that said I was doing everything right. I can say now with absolute confidence that there isn’t a home improvement issue that I could not solve myself.
I’m including little tips and tricks that a homeowner with very little home improvement experience may relate to. “How to buy lumber” for example, or “How to use an air compressor”. These are both areas that I know some people will have questions about because I just had those same questions last year.
Through the website and the email newsletter I plan to share all of the notes, ideas and pictures I saved throughout my project. Yes, I made a bunch of mistakes but my basement still turned out awesome and was a really fun project. You can do the same, but minus some of those mistakes!
Yes, But I Have No Time and Very Little Money
I started this project while working as an IT manager. I was limited to weekends and a few week nights. You can, and I might argue should, do it in your spare time in a slow and progressive manner. It’s something that can be done in stages.
My wife was also pregnant at that time. So I could not have picked a worse time to start a loud, messy, time sucking project.
In retrospect though, is was the perfect time. Our other two kids were 5 and 3 and needed some space to play in the dead of winter. They have a truck load of cousins which make for a level of noise in our house that almost drove me nuts. We also had baby stuff coming out of our ears so we needed the extra storage.
Budget for the basement was tight, which is one of the reasons I decided to try and tackle it on my own. So I started with just a small project to build a storage room and frame in the HVAC area to protect it from errant kids toys.
From there, each phase waited until the budget was right or I found creative ways to get things really cheap or even free. (signup for the newsletter to get my tip on to get free lumber).
Okay, so Why Do You Want to Help?
I’m sure, if you’re like me, then you want to know what the angle is? Why am I doing this? There are really three reasons:
- First, I like writing and I like social media and digital marketing. This site is kind of a test site for me for figuring out how that stuff works.
- Second, money. Hey, I’m not hiding it. There’s no shame in my game. I want to help you, that’s why there’s TONS of free content on here. I’d like to cover the cost of running the website plus put a small amount in my basement home theater fund. That’s the one part of the basement along with flooring, that I’ve yet to complete.When you’re really ready to start I hope you’ll check out My Book, Premium Video Series and Design Files .
- Third, I truly just want to pass on what was passed to me. I’m a big believer in keeping that healthy cycle going.
If you’re reading this and your like “OMG this site is total crap!” Please leave this website at once. Do not comment. Retire to your smelly armchair, turn on the boob-tube and never come back!
Cheers - Jason
Excellent piece! Gives folks like me to go DIY!!
Thanks Ravi. You may be surprised how satisfying it is to build something with the your hands.
I just purchased my first home and it has an unfinished basement area, I am finding your site to be a wealth of information. I can’t wait until I get all moved into my new home so that I can start my own project.
Thanks Chris. Your feedback is my writing rocket fuel. I started out just planning to write a few articles but now that I’m into it I really want to fill in each section. I plan to have an article a week through the end of the year at a minimum. Let me know as you get started if you run into any issues that other people might benefit from. – Jason
Hi there! I’m glad I found this website – we have a brand new home and have a huge beautiful basement. Lil problem – it’s stuffed with boxes, and old things (like pool tables, kitchen tables, motorcycles) and is unfinished. LOL – maybe your site will give us some inspiration! Hubby is an electrician, so I will send your link to him in hopes of one day finishing our basement.
Check out my if you have time!
Hey Jules, glad you liked it. Electrician! You’ve got it made. Or is it a cobbler’s wife has no shoes situation? I’m sure he’ll come around once he sees my post on the urinal guitar.
– Jason
Jason,
How many square feat was your basement that you finished? I am just trying to get a ballpark of what it’s going to cost in lumber for framing. Thanks, for the great information and knowledge you provide. This will be my first project, so I am trying to get everything lined up to start.
Jay – My basement was about 1300 finished square feet. Good luck! Let’s us know how it goes. – Jason
Hey Jason, just an fyi, I mentioned your blog today! http://www.fyimodularhomes.com
Thanks for keeping me entertained! Julia
Julia – There are two groups of people in this world. You… and everyone else. Thank you! Everyone else, get on it! – Jason
I have a full framed out basement already. I will be relocating some door openings and removing some non-loadbearing walls (Confirmed with a prof architect aka my unemployed brother in law) We spent a few evenings with a laptop and a couple of beers getting a full 3D model (to scale) of the basement. (Google Sketchup is fantastic) Your site is exactly what I need. I have been researching and talking to everyone and anyone to come up with a game plan and so far you and I are on the same page… do you have some before / after pics of your project? How about some tips on your research on saving money on materials (beside the Home Depot/Lowes coupons)
My outside deck was my first project and its done! Composite. Aluminum rails. LED lighting. Custom built in bench. Custom tables with left over materials. All in all, I added a 16′x16′ and a 8′x12′ addition to an existing 8′x14′ sturcture. Its huge now!!!! Love it. I will share my experience / research as well.
Steve – My deck is a piece of junk for which I paid way to much. I’m jealous of your LED lights. I tried to use SketchUp but never really got the hang of it, looks like a great option. I have some before/after pictures scattered throughout the site, but nothing where they’re all in one place…yet. I do have a few money savings tips scattered throughout different posts. Putting them all in one spot is a good idea. It’s now on the list, albeit a very long list. Thanks for checking out the site, glad it’s been helpful. Good luck with your beer powered basement project – I LOVE IT !!! – Jason
Your beginnings nearly mirror mine, except I have a few more tools and a little more experience destroying parts of my house. I look forward to all of your tips as I get started!
Good luck Paul! Funny/not funny story about my friend Mark who finished his basement before I did mine. Sawzall, demo, live electrical wire – let’s just say Mark doesn’t do a lot of demo anymore. Safety first, especially during demo. – Jason
Love the site and the tips. A great subject – how to finish a basement. Would like to work with you and share your tips. What is the best way to contact you?
Thanks
Dan
My basement is pretty much unfinished but has a finished ceiling. Very strange but it’s a plaster ceiling with some version of recessed lights. It was plastered when the house was first built. I really want to frame and drywall the walls but I’m not sure how I could tie the walls into the ceiling joists without ripping the plaster down along the perimeter of the ceiling. If necessary I would do that then just patch it in with drywall when done but I’m wondering what the verdict is on this. Your input is much appreciated. Thanks!
Peter – I would take down 3 to 4″ of ceiling plaster or drywall from the ceiling before wall framing (as you mentioned). Technically you could just use longer nails or screws and go straight through the ceiling finish but it would not be as secure as going straight to the joist. Take it down, then frame up the walls, once the drywall is up and finished no one will be the wiser. Good luck! – Jason
This is really good info! Thanks for sharing what you learned, and presenting the information in an easy-to-read format. You discuss what to do with existing insulation on the walls, but I couldn’t find any reference to a previously unfinished basement. Any thoughts on what insulation/vapor barriers should be used against concrete basement walls, especially in the colder climates (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc).
Scott – I’ll have to do some digging on specific recommendations for more northern areas. I don’t have enough knowledge to feel confident in an recommendation. Let me check with a few companies in those area and see what I can find. – Jason
Hey Jason I love the site. I am getting ready to start on my basement and start with the framing. Is there anything that needs done with the ceiling prior to starting the framing for the walls?
Adam – So glad the site has been helpful. There’s really nothing you need to do to the ceiling to start framing. Framing is step one. When your framed wall has to run parallel to your floor joists you’ll need to install blocking (there’s a post about that, just searching “blocking”) but other than that you’re good to go.
There’s a bunch of great stuff here but if you need more be sure to check out my book and the bonus materials.
Be sure to email me a picture of that first wall!
Cheers and Good Luck – Jason
Hi Jason,
Big fan of your site. It has given the confidence to start my own finish my basement challenge. Question: I just purchased your book last night but I don’t see where I can download it. Should I be getting another link to the content?
Also did you have your basement inspected for radon? Here in the Midwest it’s a big issue and I was wondering if you tackled this on your own.
Thanks for your help and inspiration.
Hello Carl – Thanks for being a fan, it’s great to hear! I did not have a professional Radon test done but I did use one of the store bought tests (which were negative). That’s a great blog topic though and I’ve added it to my 2013 list. Good to know that it’s something more prevalent depending on where you live. Good luck with your basement – looks like your on your way. Cheers – Jason
ps. I sent you an email about the membership page for downloading the book. Thanks for buying!
HI Jason
Your website is excellent and it has lot of ideas and tips. I am doing my basement on my own and i had completed the Framing. My next is step is electrical and i hired an electrician to do that work. I am thinking about drywall. When i discuss with some of my friends and pros and everybody says it is not an easy job. Installing drywall by myself is very difficult? I have to install drywall and total sqft coming around 2000 sqft. I know the contractors will ask more money. Which is the best option 1. to go with contractor for drywall or 2. do it myself?
thanks
Ram – I love great questions with easy answers. Your comment reminded me that I really need to add my “finishing” section with links to all of my drywall articles. The short answer is DON’T DO IT YOURSELF! Hire a professional firm. Here’s the long answer.. http://www.ifinishedmybasement.com/finish-work/installing-drywall/ – Jason
Jason
After finding your webiste, I am finding that finishing my 1800 sq ft. basement won’t be as bad as I thought. I am almost done framing and was wondering what your thoughts are on spray foam insulation as a vapor and draft barrier? I know its more expensive but I really like the vapor barrier aspect.
Thoughts?
Matt – One of the thinks you may or may not like about this website is that I won’t have all the answers. In this case… I don’t know? I’m not sure which is better. I’ve added this question to my to do list. I’ll try to pull any article together for you shortly. Great job on the framing, isn’t it awesome?! – Jason
Hey Jason,
The site is awesome, and has been an big inspiration to start working on the project I’ve been putting off for years. I’vs had a pretty good idea of how I wanted to lay things out, but your insight has really helped resolve all but a few issues. I may have overlooked this along the way, but I didn’t see a post addressing insulating the walls or should I say what you put on your walls before you even began framing. Thanks for all the time you spent putting this page together – Ed
Thanks Ed, you’re feedback is fueling my writing fire. There is one article on basement insulation here but that’s if you already have some up. If you don’t have any then I suggest framing your walls and then installing insulation between the studs. If you live in colder climate (Canada, Michigan, Buffalo) be sure to check your local code to see if you need to put in a vapor barrier.
Good luck with your basement, you’ll love the project! Take it slow but steady, always moving forward. – Jason
Jasonnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!
I love you for creating this site!
I’m a “DIY’er-til-I-die!” I actually started doing my own work a few years ago when I realized how much some contractors intentionally rip women off. This year I decided to remodel the basement in my 1966 era, split foyer/ranch style home. Due to a water issue, I gutted the majority of the space. I was thinking this project is too large for me to conquer alone so I started “interviewing” contractors. Needless to say, none made the cut..except my plummer Duane (he’s a keeper). I’ve gathered books, notes and anything else I can find on finishing basements. While searching for information on framing around pipes, I came across your website. OMG, I’m in DIY heaven! Just scanning the site, you’ve answered so many questions I had and ones I hadn’t thought of yet. I love love love it!
Thank you so much for your time, unselfish efforts and wonderful sense of humor.
You’re the MAN Jason!
Warm regards,
Karen
Karen – I’m frantically hunting for a tissue as there is a big ole tear of joy slowly sliding down my left cheek. You rock for writing such a great comment. It’s head-scratching to me why
some
contractors still try to gouge women on home and car repair projects but I have 4 sisters and I know from them that its still happens way to often.
Good luck on your project, you’re going to kill it! Email or leave a comment if you have any questions.
- Jason
Hi Jason,
I’m still early in the framing stage of my basement (‘my first wall’ picture coming your way soon) and I got to thinking about HVAC. I don’t see you mention this topic but I may have just missed it.
My question is, do I need to add it for my basement? The builder put two registers on the main trunk line in my basement. One will land in the entertainment area and the other in the closet with the water heater and furnace (bad luck). Cooling in the summer isn’t a worry but the basement gets chilly in the winter. I was originally thinking of adding vent lines to each room off the main floor trunk, but I don’t need the cooling and am afraid of changing the heating-cooling performance of the main floor. Maybe I should just install a couple of space heaters and call it good? Have you done any research on this topic?
I love the site and the book, by the way. You’re the wind beneath my wings!
Joe
Hello Joe –
Good question to ask before drywall! I added 1 new register but on an existing trunk. My basement is chilly in the winter, perfect in the summer. At some point I will probably add 2 more registers on the existing east-west HVAC trunk, one in the office and one in the family room.
I think if you added a “new” trunk you would definitely need to ensure that your HVAC is sized and balanced correctly. Just adding a few registers, I believe, is not a problem. I plan on interviewing and HVAC expert as some point to get some more detail on this. This good news is that adding a new register after drywall isn’t to bad.
Cheers – Jason
ps. I’m really glad you like the book, check out the premium videos section as well, I’ve been adding a new one each week. I’ll be singing Bette Midler songs all day. Yes, I know some, I have a soft side, I’m no DIY monster.
Jason,
Great site! I’ve finished basements myself at a couple of my prior homes and am now back at it in my current home. We’re now at drywall stage (home is 40 yrs old). Basement ceiling open web truss heights are all over the place. So,,,,,I’m thinking of using “drywall truss clips” to get a straight / true ceiling line. Do you or any of your followers have any experience with using clips or shims to even out the wall to ceiling during install?
Thanks,
Anton (St.Charles, IL)
Anton – Thanks! I’m jealous of your multi-basement experience. I haven’t heard from anyone yet on using clips or shims, this is actually the first time someone has asked. I’ve never used them myself either. I’ll see what I can dig up though. Have you also considered not dry-walling the ceiling? That’s a very popular design right now, you can always add it later. Here’s a link to my pinterest page with some photos. – Jason
Hey Jason-
Does your book happen to cover framing w/floating walls? We have expansive soils around here so code requires floating walls in basements.
Thanks a million. Just discovered the site, but I like what I’ve seen so far a lot.
-KR
Kip – Not yet. A few people have asked about that so I’ll have to add a chapter on framing floating walls. Stay tuned. (if you buy the book, all future updates, videos, etc. are included at no extra charge). – Jason