Cost of Basement Renovation in Fairfield County CT
Costs for a basement finishing.
Basement renovations or simply finishing an unfinished basement are very popular among the home improvements in Fairfield County and have ranged from $50,000 up to $200,000-250,000$ for a really high-end finishing. The average basement finishing can cost around $55,000 to 90,000$, based on the Cost vs Value report. The project for that amount budgeting includes a 50′ x 30′ total size with a bedroom inside and a 5′ x 8′ bath with a shower and a bar area as well as insulation and laminate flooring.
The portions that can increase the budget are adding a half a bath or full bath especially if you want to rent the space and all the work needed to bring the room up to building codes. Some town regulations will require two different exists of the basement or natural light (so adding a door or a window) will definitely rise the expenses a lot.
Costs for permits
Every city in Fairfield County has its own set of fees and building permits for every home renovation project. Building permits, including those for plumbing services and electrical, can cost anywhere from $1000 to $2,500 per project. The cost is a percentage of your renovation cost:
Even if you find an affordable contractor most cities have their own projected value for each project so you can’t escape with lower fees even if you find a cheap general contractor.
In Stamford your building permit will cost $13.26 for each $1,000 you spend on your project.
In Westport the permit fee for demolition is $2 per 100 cubic feet of volume while the building fee is $10 for each $1,000 of the renovation cost
In Greenwich a building permit will be $13.26 for each $1,000 in you spend. The electrical permit fee is $12 per $1,000 of the cost of the project; this fee is the same for a plumbing permit too.
Over in Norwalk building fees are structured slightly differently. A building permit costs $13 per $1,000 of estimated work, which includes some electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. However, if there are major changes in these areas, then separate permits for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC might be required at a cost of $13.26 for every $1,000 budgeted in those areas.
Things to keep in mind before you start
Structural problems like cracked foundation slab or staircase that i snot up to code. In most case that could of be a staircase with no proper railing. Things like can increase your budget for your basement finishing. you should also take into consideration wet areas like kitchens or bathrooms that may cost way more to remodel than dry spaces (for example, dining rooms and bedrooms)
Hopefully, all of these projected issues and figures give you an approximate estimate of the cost of project like that and begin working on your budget for your basement renovation.
Basements in most cases is the it has the problem with structural stresses and moisture, so you shouldn’t save on materials or technology during you home renovation project. Fortunately, many new-generation materials are on the market with a very quality that can add value over the years for your house. Here are some pro’s and con’s when it comes to renovating or finishing the unfinished basement, and some of the latest technologies in the waterproofing.
Definitely check for cracks
Inspect vary carefully the foundation and the walls for any cracks. If there is any, make sure to fill them in first before you start finishing the basement.
“Carbon fiber is stronger than traditional steel methods and is fairly easy to install. It provides a lasting solution to the problem and can be used in a variety of applications during the home renovation process, including repairing cracks in the floors and walls to reinforcing bowed walls. Ensuring structural integrity is essential before tackling other elements.”
Do add a subfloor
General Contractors who specialize in basements renovation must create comfortable, warm, and dry livable spaces. In many cases the vinyl is the best flooring used for basement floor with the proper installation of subfloor product for isolation before the vinyl is installed.
Create a welcome and warm design.
Finishing your basement requires a well-planned detailed plan and design that is acceptable by you and the home owners. SITL Home Renovation and New Construction will simply sketch out the room or present a 3D Visualization by request of the client, so they can understand and have the same vision of how the basement design will look when it’s finished.
Never build on the top of the concrete slab directly.
Harsh weather conditions may be risky and even sometimes means higher amount of flooded basements. Many homeowners are taking a different measures to properly isolate their basement against moisture.
The most important part for moisture prevention is the air circulation, which reduces the moisture and mildew in the basement. Ventilation methods to consider include especially the natural ones are windows. More windows means more air circulation. The mechanical methods are using ducts, fans, and vents. High quality breathable isolation materials must be used during the remodel project, including a good subflooring material that increases the airflow and keeps the type of floors you’re using in the basement above the concrete slab.
Energy efficiency.
Homeowners remodeling ideas should be with energy efficiency purposes as well, because those materials and products will help them save money during hot summer days or cold winters. Uninsulated or poorly insulated basements are the cost for heat lost in the winter.
Drainage system.
When a house is built, in general includes a main floor drain system, but sometimes it is not effective so you can use a few different options.
A French drain can be installed into a basement, but that option can be costly to go with because the concrete slab must be drilled.
Drain tiles are the second option that the homeowner can choose. The tile must be installed on the exterior of the foundation wall, this option also may be costly because all soil around the home must be removed out to the depth of the footings.
A third and more affordable option is a sump pump, which can be installed inside or outside the house. It start running every time when the water level in the pit where it’s positioned hit a certain level.
Here is an example from Zem Construction in Washington state for how the unfinished basement can become a perfect livable space
A finished basement increases your house livable space, but transforming it from concrete and stone walls to a nice and warm livable space is not a cheap and easy home remodeling project to perform but when the time comes to do so call SITL Home Renovation and New Construction at 203 550 4498 for a free estimate for your basement remodel project.
Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Easton, Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and Fairfield
SITL Home renovation and New Construction
203 550 4498
info@SITLgroup.com