I would recommend throwing some cat 5 or cat 6 cabling in the wall, where ever you have phone jacks. Never know when you might need a internet connection somewhere.
Finishing a Basement
- Thread starter cycloneworld
- Start date
One of the bigger problems with finishing basements is installing a bedroom which by code requires a secondary escape exit. Today many people go back and add a larger window escape. Those older little basement windows do not let the bigger people of today to squeeze through to escape.
I'll second on this recommendation. You never know what's going to need an internet connection. I wired cat5 to my projector just in case. Both my DVR's also have Cat5 running to them. You can buy a cheap $40 switch that will get you 10+ connections.
I did the same for speaker wire. I only have a 5.1 system now but i wired for 7.1. I don't think I'll ever make the switch but just in case. Before they put up the drywall I took pictures of all my wiring so that I wouldn't forget where it was laid.
What's behind the bookcase? I saw one of those at one of the home shows and they had a bar and poker room behind the doors, very cool.
As long as it isn't a dank, dark room with a hole in the floor and a basket tied to a rope with bottle of lotion inside it, it sounds pretty cool....
My two cents....If you have kids in the house and quiet hours where you can't make noise, it sucks.If there are areas where you aren't comfortable doing, find a guy that does side work that will tell you what to do, work side by side or will get you started...it saves a lot of money.Number one priority should be making sure that you can heat it properly. A friend of mine spent thousands to finish his only to find out that it was so cold down there they couldn't use it rendering it useless.
Agreed on the coldness factor. We have 2 vents down there and it's still about 5 degrees cooler. Without those 2 vents if would be very cold.
We put in zone heating (separate thermostat and duct work) in our lower level. It works great but was a little pricey to install.
Obviously the secret room is where you go after the Clones lose to A&M. You have wireless and you start posting the postgame thoughts on how things will be better next year. You have a big picture of JP, some wrestling tapes in the DVD player, a cardinal and gold TV, some vintage pom poms, a few dinged up helmets, picture of McD dunking from 1988, a Gene Chizik stress reliever barbell set, and an illuminated sign that reads WE WILL GET BETTER. THE ELEVATOR ONLY GOES UP FROM HERE, CYCLONE FANS.
I'm looking to put a second bathroom in my house this year and I wonder what to expect for costs. It's going in the basement basically by the washing machine and existing sink and shower. I plan to put in about 10 feet of wall to seal off the area and a door plus replace the exisiting sink and counter all low budget. Baiscally will frame the wall and put paneling on 1 side with the unfinished back side facing the utilities and work bench in the basement and going cheap on the new counter and sink combo as I don't need anything fancy.
My question is any idea what installing a basic toilet in a basement would cost me to have a plumber do it? The drain pipe should be practically directly below where I want to put it so not like they'll have to run a bunch of drain through the floor to get to it. Also, a few years back I asked a plumber about this when they were out for an issue and he thinks they'd force me to bring the rest of the plumbing in that spot up to code by installing separate drains for the shower, sink, and washer that all currently drain into the floor drain. This house was built in 1956 so obviously back then that would have passed.
My question is any idea what installing a basic toilet in a basement would cost me to have a plumber do it? The drain pipe should be practically directly below where I want to put it so not like they'll have to run a bunch of drain through the floor to get to it. Also, a few years back I asked a plumber about this when they were out for an issue and he thinks they'd force me to bring the rest of the plumbing in that spot up to code by installing separate drains for the shower, sink, and washer that all currently drain into the floor drain. This house was built in 1956 so obviously back then that would have passed.
If you are looking to go cheap on anything, you need to look at the Habitat Restore. It is over on 2nd Avenue and is a place where they have both used and sometimes new material donated from companies that they resell and the money will be put toward building Habitat for Humanity homes. I have spent way more than my fair share there and they have good stuff at times including tiling, doors, windows, nails, etc. The only things to be weary of are that returns are only done for in store credit no matter what and that what they have will all depend on the week or day that you are there.
Cat 5 has 4 twisted pair. It's what you typically find in computer wiring. So if you want to setup a wired home network - this is the stuff. It also works perfectly well for phone.
I've dropped two lines to each spot along with a RG6 shielded coax. Got those snap in plates that house 3 connectors. One phone, one internet, one cable.
A 1000' box of stranded CAT5 was about $70 a few years back when I got mine. Due to copper prices, surely has gone up.
You can call 3E over in Windsor Heights. They deal mostly with contractors. But I've been able to special order all kinds of plates, covers, switches from them, and get wire (ground 4GA, coax, CAT5) for much cheaper than I could find at the big box stores.
I had a great Plumbers R Us that ran copper a ways for sink and shower heads, installed toilet, and installed sink basin for $650. Electrician R Us put in several outlets, switches, separate circuit for $450. After I put up the walls and framed with green board, The Tilers R Us guy (he was very cheap) installed a shower basin, tiled the basin, and the outside walls for $900. I painted remaining walls red brick candy apple with mortar and drywall. We bought toilet, paint, drywall accessories, pocket door, floor covering, woodwork sink cabinet/basin w/ fixtures. sink, light fixtures for another $1000. Total out of pocket and personal fun was about $3000 for the bathroom area which was 6 ft by 20 feet.
Some of your best, very economical work is done by "nightime workers" who are looking for a second job and can work on weekend or at your house. They love to be paid in cash.
Some of your best, very economical work is done by "nightime workers" who are looking for a second job and can work on weekend or at your house. They love to be paid in cash.
Not to completely hi-jack, if someone has used an electrician and heating/cooling guy they've used before and liked (quality and price), PM me.
I'm going to look first at the guys that did our main level, but want to get a couple other quotes.
I'm going to look first at the guys that did our main level, but want to get a couple other quotes.
I found here in Des Moines that good plumbers and electricians are hard to come by unless you have a big job or are a business. Took me 3 tries to ever get a plumber out to do about a job that took less than an hour to do. Some places just completely blew off returning my phone call and 1 place did not show up till I called and asked where they were. They showed up and gave me a quote and said they could do it next week. By that time I was PO'd cuz I had taken 1/2 day of work off under the impression that they were going to do the job then.
Electricians have had almost the same luck, first just have to find someone willing to come out to your home unless A. you have an emergency or B. a big job for them to do.
Electricians have had almost the same luck, first just have to find someone willing to come out to your home unless A. you have an emergency or B. a big job for them to do.
As of right now, it's just the storage and mechanical room behind the bookcase. Nothing crazy, and nothing super cool. I just didn't like the look of a door in my home theater, so we have twin bookcases flanking the TV with one of them that swings in.
I just finished 1300 sq feet in my basement. I had a plumber come in to do the shower, toilet, sink and bar sink, then had a carpet installer lay the carpet. Other than that I did everything myself. The trick is find people you can pay in cash for materials (easier said than done). I ended up dropping about $20K - but it looks better than the upstairs (which makes me wonder what I paid the builder to do?).
I agree with the mudding and taping comments, if you don't know how to do it - hire someone (paying in cash may help, a lot of those guys will do side jobs for cash). Also plan a lot of time if you are going to do it yourself, it took me nearly 2 years from start to finish.
I agree with the mudding and taping comments, if you don't know how to do it - hire someone (paying in cash may help, a lot of those guys will do side jobs for cash). Also plan a lot of time if you are going to do it yourself, it took me nearly 2 years from start to finish.
