Finishing the last 1/4 of basement

[huge1s]

Thought I would get this thread started. A couple years ago, I finished 3/4 of my basement to make more liveable space for the family. Included a nice bar, poker table (technically not part of the basement finish), AV system, kids play area, under stairs storage, etc. The original plan was basically to wall off the basement and put some carpet down, but balooned into the above. Now we have another one on the way and i need to finish the rest of the basement. Although this is not nearly as much space, it will probably be pretty close to the same amount of work because I am enclosing the furnace/water heater, putting in a bedroom and a bathroom. This shouldn't be anything spectacular, but I already know that I am going to have to employ some creative framing. No pics yet, but I will take some before I get started this weekend.

[Oz]

So, it's past the weekend - where are the pics?

[huge1s]

Caught me....I forgot to take pics. I will try and get some taken tonight. I am almost done framing and have definately had to get creative so far (maximizing space)

[huge1s]

OK....I finally remembered to take some pictures. At least there is evidence that I am doing something.

Framing is done
Plumbing is done
Electrical is 75% done.

Here is the floor plan for the original project which was supposed to be just some finished walls and carpet. I ended up adding a bar (which isn't in the plans)
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/Basement-1.gif

Here is the floor plan for the unfinished area
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/Basementunfinished.gif

Looking into the bathroom at the plumbing. I had to re-do part of the wall because i wanted the shower kit to be centered.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_007.jpg

Looking through the hall into the bedroom (bath on left)
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_006.jpg

Bedroom. Had to create a ledge at the top of this wall to get vent pipes. Also had a 45 degree angle in the back corner for another vent.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_010.jpg

Closet/Cat Bathroom
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_009.jpg

This is in the bedroom with the furnace on the other side of the wall. I had to come up with some way to get access to the humidifier on the back of the furnace. This little box will allow for that and also allowed me to keep the room square on the floor. I plan on finishing over the box and making a removable panel for access.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_008.jpg

Sorry about the pic quality (from my phone). This project is going much quicker than the first one. Mostly because I have managed to buy my materials during the week and have been able to work a whole day (mostly). I have done this 4 weekends in a row but have only logged ~45 hours (family functions etc). I still need to go pull a permit (this week) and am going to pay someone to hook the electrical up to the panel. I could probably do it, but if there is a greater than 50% chance of me dying from something...i pay the money. I also figured out my HVAC to both the bathroom and bedroom.

I will try and take more pics as I get stuff done.

[j p frog]

nice work

[Oz]

Couple questions (looking good btw):

What type of pipe is behind the framing at a 45 degree angle? Is is supply / return air or furnace venting?

What type of humidifier do you have, a bypass or power?

[huge1s]

Thanks.

My basement actually has a structural subfloor instead of slab on grade....so the area under the basement floor needs to be vented, so those are vent pipes for the crawl space. Having a structural subfloor makes it REAL nice for doing drain work...took me about 4-5 hours for the sink, shower and toilet drains. Better than having to use a jackhammer and masonry saw.

I am not sure on the humidifier (I don't know a whole lot about HVAC to be honest with you)

[huge1s]

Thought I should update this. I haven't got a whole lot of work done on this other than getting my HVAC runs done and soffited (no pics yet). I have however been running all over town trying to get this damn thing permitted. I went to regional building and they approved my plans but won't issue me a permit till i go and get a permit from my town hall. Fine. I take off work early and submit my plans and they tell me to come back in 3 days (great...another "leave work early day"...i love wasting time!!!). So i go in on friday to get my permit from town hall and they tell me they won't give it to me until i go pay the sewage and water company....Fine. I go over to pay them and they close at 4:00 on fridays (it is 4:30). When i go back to town hall, the lady says...."yeah, they close at 4:00 on fridays". I could kill someone. She could have told me that when I was there the first time, or perhaps when i showed up to pick up my permit.....idiots. This lady lets me walk down the street to pay these people knowing they were closed. So, to get this permit I am at:
- 1 trip to regional building
- 1 trip to town hall
- 1 trip back to town hall
- 1 trip to water & sewage

and still have
- 1 trip to town hall
- 1 trip to water & sewage
- 1 trip back to regional building.

this is turning into a full time job just to get the damn permit.

[MsprinM]

got to love bureaucracy

[huge1s]

well, i love idiots more. most of this time wasting could have been prevented by simply telling me what i need to do when i ask "what do i need to do"?

The car dealership basically did the same thing to me this month. I needed to get a 2nd remote fixed for my wife's car. I make the appointment and ask them "what do i need to bring"? They say..."the car and the remote". So I show up and they start asking me where the second set of keys are and they can't do it because they don't have both sets of keys. what part of "what do i need to bring/do" do these idiots not understand???!!!!

[Trann]

Electrical is 75% done.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/Basement-1.gif
While you're pulling cable anyways, I discovered something that I thought I'd share.

I have a similar space but with a couple more lights: it's about 35' long by about 12' wide and had pot lights checkerboarded, thusly:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0488.jpg

The light was perfect for the space but for "task lighting" -- illuminating a work space or table -- it was plagued by shadows. There wasn't enough light when playing cards.

I added a set of 50W GU10 spots on their own switch and it has made a world of difference:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0918.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0919.jpg

As it stands, I've actually moved one set of spots (those closest) so they are right over the table. It's reminiscent of Mr. Meaner's card room setup (for those old enough to remember).

Something to consider, that's all...

[huge1s]

I should have explained it better, but that plan (the big room) is already completed. I had left an area unfinished, but am finishing it now (#3 will be here in july). The funny thing is that just this weekend, i was looking at the lighting while considering a basement re-arrangement and thought i could stick a light in there to hang directly over the poker table.

[huge1s]

I really need to get some new pictures up but not much really has changed that a picture would show. Had my first inspections and failed the electrical (damn). Interesting thing was that I have called a guy to hook the panel up and the inspector knew it???????? I didn't tell him. The electrician is a pretty honest guy, so i don't think there is any "foul play" involved. WTF? I also talked to the electrical guy at HD and it was his opinion that the inspectors are being extra tough to make sure there is enough work. Regional Building is trying to cut back and this is some job security for these guys. One thing that concerns me is that he said he needs to see the home run on these circuits. The home runs were inspected with the first 3/4 of the basement finish so he better not make me tear up walls.....

[Extraholes]

OK I have one for everyone. Working at a bar in college, I was a DJ, I help them with some handi man work. We had one of the last cigarette machine. We had it in a back hall. It had an extension cord to reach the outlet. The fire Marshall said it was a no no. So the owner paid and electrocution to put in a new outlet. Fine, the fire marshal came out to look at the new outlet, and said it was great. Than he measured the distance from the machine to the wall and said that it was not wide enough for a fire exit. So we wasted 100 bucks to put in a new outlet for a cigarette machine that could not even be were it was. Could have measured it be for talking about the extension cord.

[huge1s]

Decided to take a few pictures with my phone this morning....Very close to being done with this project. I need to paint and hang the doors, baseboards in bathroom, install the shower walls and then do a bunch of little touch up things....

From the hall looking into the new bedroom, with bathroom on the left
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_016.jpg

Tile in the shower. We were trying to do this really cheap, but I couldn't resist putting a little deco in the shower tile as opposed to just plain white. If I was made of money, I would have done something a lot nicer...but this is just a basement bathroom. The extra $50 on the deco tiles was worth it though.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_017.jpg

Got the sink installed last night. I had some extra granite tile from my bar and used it on this vanity.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_018.jpg

I thought the little punch out for the humidifier on the furnace would be an eye sore, but didn't turn out too bad. I still need to cut out a door on it.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_019.jpg

This is mostly a picture of a mess, but you can see the toilet is installed and the floor tile is done as well.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/IMAGE_020.jpg

We also paid someone to come and install the carpet yesterday. It is amazing how it felt like a construction project pre-carpet, and now these feel like real rooms post-carpet.

[Irish]

Very nice work.

It is amazing how it felt like a construction project pre-carpet, and now these feel like real rooms post-carpet.

It's amazing how much a finished floor affects the overall feel of a room. I'm finishing up some renovations on a bedroom split I did for my kids, and was really getting discouraged towards the end - 2 months of demo, framing, electric, drywall, paint, and it still felt like we were weeks away from being finished. Put down the new floor (wood laminate in our case), and instantly it felt like they were done.

[huge1s]

Very nice work.



It's amazing how much a finished floor affects the overall feel of a room. I'm finishing up some renovations on a bedroom split I did for my kids, and was really getting discouraged towards the end - 2 months of demo, framing, electric, drywall, paint, and it still felt like we were weeks away from being finished. Put down the new floor (wood laminate in our case), and instantly it felt like they were done.

Thanks. When this is all done....i will take some pictures using a real camera (instead of my phone). The biggest benefit (for me) to this project is the bathroom. I have a nice poker table in the basement but the wifey doesn't like me hosting mostly because there are guys running upstairs all the time to use the bathroom. She like to watch tv in her pajamas, but doesn't like people seeing her watching tv in her pajamas:)

[Blake]

She like to watch tv in her pajamas, but doesn't like people seeing her watching tv in her pajamas:)
My wife's the exact same way....grant pajamas to my wife is panties and a t-shirt soooooo....she tries to make plans out of the house when I have poker

[Trann]

Looking real good there, mate.

Keep on it.

[huge1s]

Looking real good there, mate.

Keep on it.

Thanks Trann....The pictures with the phone don't give you much to look at though. I am getting real close to being able to call this one done. I found out that I made a mistake with some bi-fold doors where i bought them too big (can't return em now that I have painted them). I guess that happens when you are rushing to get stuff done. I have been working till midnight just about every night the last couple weeks to get this done. The punch list is getting shorter though:

Finish shower install
Hang blind
Touch up paint
Hang 4 doors
Paint stairway

[dblemuney]

nice work and can't wait to see the finished product.

[huge1s]

Final inspections today....pics after (assuming I pass)

[huge1s]

Inspections are done....and I took some better pics.

The bedroom is our workout room (for now). When baby number 3 gets here, We will have the option of putting my oldest down here if room sharing doesn't work out. I also put down some of those interlocking foam mat things to protect the new carpet.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3054.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3056.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3057.jpg

Bathroom is done as well. Had some leftover granite from my bar (last project) and used it on the countertop.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3058.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3089.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3059.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3060.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3088.jpg

And just for fun...here is the finished part 1 of the basement finish (been done for a while)
opposite ends:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3067.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3068.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3082.jpg
bar:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3072.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3073.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3074.jpg
poker table that never gets used (in craft table mode):
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3065.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3092.jpg
entertainment area:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3063.jpg
storage bins for kids toys (project in between basement 1 & 2):
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3079.jpg

I am officially out of house to finish. We need to get some color in that bathroom and something up on the walls in the bedroom/workout room. I gotta say...there is nothing more gratifying than finishing a huge project (basement finish part 1 & basement finish part 2) and having your wife say on the day it is finished "I am glad you are done...can we move now".

[mikeneron]

Nice work! Pushing a lot of weight these days I see :p


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/myersd08/100_3056.jpg

[Iamdead]

I dont thinks thats regulation hight for the dart board.

But besides that looks sweet

[Quads]

Excellent work!

[wyatt880]

Looks awesome, man. Great job.

[huge1s]

I dont thinks thats regulation hight for the dart board.

But besides that looks sweet

Ha. I think you are right. I have also found that the dart board placement makes getting another beer more adventurous.

[MsprinM]

It looks great, good work.


Are those thigh masters in the work out room?

YKHIKYAG?

[huge1s]

It looks great, good work.


Are those thigh masters in the work out room?

YKHIKYAG?

I KNEW those thigh masters would out me!!!!! damn.

[Quads]

Thigh Masters keep the panocha tight.

[JbaIV]

I am officially out of house to finish. We need to get some color in that bathroom and something up on the walls in the bedroom/workout room. I gotta say...there is nothing more gratifying than finishing a huge project (basement finish part 1 & basement finish part 2) and having your wife say on the day it is finished "I am glad you are done...can we move now".


Are you serious?
Great looking work. Should feel good after all that.

[huge1s]

Are you serious?
Great looking work. Should feel good after all that.

unfortunately yes. We are quickly outgrowning the house and my wife has no patience beyond 2-3 seconds. It probably sounds worse than it is....but i wish she would have given me a week or two!

[JbaIV]

Ok i understand the reasoning. Shame you couldnt enjoy it a little while longer.