so many questions

[bhk7594]

ok so I have a basement that is very unfinished and have no idea where to start. Talked to a few friends and they say i have concrete or something of that matter so I get water in the basement. This seems like it would be very hard to finished the basement. Any ideas or input?

[Quads]

Let's start with picks of said basement, a little more info on the area, does it flood? Is there a sump pump? Your budget? what you'd like to do it in (money unlimited) and some of your likes / dislikes? Poker, pool, bungey jumping (ok, that won't work in a basement per say....) ping pong, beer / bar, home theater, general lounge, workout equip, etc. but something to get us going on ideas. Most importantly, a little better description of the area in which you have to work with, and ideally, some images.

[Irish]

ok so I have a basement that is very unfinished and have no idea where to start. Talked to a few friends and they say i have concrete or something of that matter so I get water in the basement. This seems like it would be very hard to finished the basement. Any ideas or input?

Priority #1 is making the basement dry - i.e. doesn't flood under typical storms, no major leaks or water getting through the walls or foundation. You don't want to start finishing the area, add expensive toys just to have them all ruined after a really heavy rain. There are several ways to prevent or fix a wet basement - they range from simple and cheap like regrading the soil around your foundation to pitch away from the house and adding downspout extensions to your gutters, to expensive french drain & sump pump systems. Give us a little bit of background and pictures of the space and we should be able to help you with ideas.

[bhk7594]

ok so right now im on vacation in aruba (woot woot) and i will be back on sat so i can post picks. I would want to put a poker table in, flat screen, pool table (maybe one that has a ping pong attachment or something). Money wise how much does this stuff usually cost? i mean the toys and stuff i can work out myself but the actually finishing of the basement is the real question.

[Dr Lecterr]

This guy is in ARUBA.....and he is posting on the forum AND.....(this is a big and)....he provides no wifey bikini pics?!?! I for one am not helping this guy until I see some beach pics.

ok....I'm a bit jealous. Have fun in Aruba you mutha freeka

[JumperJeff]

I just got an estimate done for a company to come in and finish my basement. Right now it has studs and insulation along the exterior walls, concrete floor, open ceiling.

Their quote was to finish the basement completely and make it seem like an extension of the rest of the house. It includes all the infrastructure (electrical, cable, phone, plumbing, central vac) plus framing a couple walls, drywall, ceiling, stipple on the ceiling, finishing the bathroom and probably a couple other things.

Our basement is about 700 sq feet.

They want $35,000.

I said thanks for coming out. I guess I'll be doing a lot of the work myself...

[Trann]

Our basement is about 700 sq feet.

They want $35,000.

I said thanks for coming out. I guess I'll be doing a lot of the work myself...
You won't regret it.

If a geek like me can do it, anyone can.

[JumperJeff]

I think we're going to get them to do the bathroom, and I'll do the rest with help from friends who know what they're doing.