Check Out My "Man Cave" in Juice Magazine!

[cybsball20]

Ha, just caught an error in the story... She says the golf flags are from holes around my home, but they are actually from Blue Top Ridge, Tournament Club of Iowa, and Augusta National...

and I agree with 22, I have seen more than enough botch jobs from professionals that I wanted to do it myself (I'm a perfectionist).

 

[thunderdave]

You have Mangino down there?

Fitted with a huge coach, big screen TV and a WII Hanrahan and his wife spend most of their time in the man cave.

 

[Bartastic]

and I agree with 22, I have seen more than enough botch jobs from professionals that I wanted to do it myself (I'm a perfectionist).

I'm with you, if you want it done right and are somewhat capable, you'll be happier. You'll have that feeling of accomplishment and pride and all that good stuff, save money, and get things just how you want them.

It looks great! Question: Was the tv included in the $7500?..or was that just drywall, paint, wood, flooring, etc? (sorry if it said that in the article and I missed it)

 

[CarolinaCy]

My 2 cents...I had my basement finished last year. Professionally. I would say unless you REALLY know what your doing (as in, you do it for a living or used to) to get it done professionally. My basement looks fantastic while just about 95% of all basements done by the homeowner look like they were done by the homeowner. You save some money but by spending a little more it looks a lot better.

Could not disagree more. I finished about 700 sq. ft. of the basement in our previous house, installing a full bath and wetbar. I hired a plumber for all of the plumbing work, and a guy to mud, tape and texture the drywall. Also, the carpet was installed by NFM. Other than that, I did everything myself - and I'd put it up against any professional's work any day of the week.

I think most homeowners who undertake a project like this will take a lot more pride in their work, especially knowing that they will have to look at it/live with it every day. Anyone who can read a book and can take their time to do it right can finish a basement. It's not nearly as difficult as some might think.

 

[cybsball20]

TV was not included, but all the extra tools I had to buy was included...

 

[mustangcy]

I've seen some rather poorly finished basements that were professionally done.

Almost done with ours (with phase 1 anyways, until the photo studio moves off-site) and hired certain things out (heating, plumbing, drywall), had a professional help me with others (electrical) and the did other things myself (flooring, painting, etc).

I'm biased, but am damn happy with it and saved a good chunk of change.


Anyways, nice basement, congrats on getting it featured.

Well, thats the big issue. You have to know the guy you have coming in. I knew the guy that did our basement, I'd seen his work and he did not dissappoint. I guess thats the good thing about living in a small town..you know the guys in town that are good and the ones that are not as good.

FWIW, I did the painting but I really love painting and I'm pretty good at it...not that it takes great skill or anything.

 

[dmclone]

I looked at doing it myself but the guy I hired was cheap and I probably would have spent months/years on the project and spent more on tools than he charged me. Everyone has different budgets, skills, timelines, etc so it's hard to generalize.

The only thing I did was paint and wire the A/V gear.

 

[CarolinaCy]

FWIW, I did the painting but I really love painting and I'm pretty good at it...not that it takes great skill or anything.

I wish more people shared your love of painting. I've seen some pretty terrible paint jobs, mostly in the house we are living in now. It's amazing what some people can live with.

 

[Cydole]

Nice place. That place in Ankeny must be paying well

 

[dmclone]

Another thing to consider is how you're going to use the basement.

I only have 9 foot ceilings, it's not a walkout, and I don't need any extra space in the house. I built my strictly for entertainment purposes and probably only go down there 5-10 hours a week unless we have a party, march madness ,etc. In my situation, there was no need to get fancy with granite countertops, expensive flooring, etc. I just wanted a place where a good theater type environment would work.

 

[cybsball20]

There is now a phot gallery posted on the main page

http://dmjuice.desmoinesregister.com/

 

[cybsball20]

Photos continued

 

[dmclone]

Did you build that cabinet that holds the fridge yourself? Where did you get the plans or did you just kind of make it up?

 

[cybsball20]

Did you build that cabinet that holds the fridge yourself? Where did you get the plans or did you just kind of make it up?

Ya, did it myself... I kinda made it up, its basically a facade over a sturdy frame more than an actuall cabinet...

 

[ISUFan22]

Ugh...those Juice photographers...

:wink:

 

[cybsball20]

What isn't pictured is the showe in the bathroom... Steam shower with two shower heads...

 

[yCy]

Nicely done. It looks great. One question: how did you do the desk in 45 minutes?

 

[CyinCo]

When I sold our house in CO, I said the basement was professionally finished. Actually, my wife and I did most everything except drywall. I'm a professional engineer, so I thought saying professionally finished wasn't a stretch. No one ever questioned it. I didn't pull a permit. That was the only issue that came up. I gave the buyers $500 for any "permit" issues and they took it.

 

[cybsball20]

Nicely done. It looks great. One question: how did you do the desk in 45 minutes?

I made up some pretty detailed plans on it, did all the cuts, slapped them together with some glue and a finish nailer... The painting took a long time, but putting it together didn't take long at all... It is also attached to a couple of cleats I attached to the wall...

 

[Palmer]

I know what to get you next Christmas.....

a big comfy desk chair bound in soft, rich Corinthian leather