Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house


>I am getting ready to start finishing my basement, with a goal of completing
>the project by Christmas.  Thus, time is a major roadblock.  Just thought I'd
>ask those who have experience with basement finishing, where would it be most
>beneficial to hire out some of the work.  In other words, what are the hardest
>(most time consuming) jobs and would it be worth it to pay someone to do it
>instead.  I would prefer to do it all myself, but don't feel I'll have the
>time to finish it by Christmas.  If anyone out there has good suggestions for
>the best parts to hire out, I'd appreciate any advice.  Thanks!!
>--

   I am just getting ready to put the final touches on our basement (about one 
more month), I've been working on it for a year. It hasn't been a big priority, 
I work on it about 8 hrs. a week.  We put in a study, with custom builtin 
bookshelves, a full bath, spare bedroom, family room with a 9' x 9' open 
kitchenette, utility room and two storage areas. Everything completely 
finished down to the oak baseboard in the storage areas. 

I paid to have the following things done.

1. tape and texture on the drywall. 
2. electrical subpanel for basement and central air contioner.
3. all the rough in plumbing including a water softener.
4. tile work (I think I could do this but I was tired and wanting the basement
      finished sooner).
5. paid to have kitchen cabiniets built
6. lusterrock counter-top (it is a sometype of molded plastic with rocks in it.
   Both my wife's parents and my parents have had this product for over
   20 years with no problems. It is a neat alternitivy to flormica.
7. Carpets Installed.

The things I did.

1. Framing, I had a friend in construstion and he was alot of moral and 
      instructive help. I had a couple of tricky areas that I couldn't
      have done it without him.

2. Insulated everything (exterior walls, interior walls, ceiling)  with 
      fiberglass, either for sound proofing or warmth. ( I probably got a 
      little carried away here, but I got tried of hearing EVERYTHING that
      happened upstairs and it seemed to have helped).

3. All the wiring from the subpanel out. One thing that was exspensive but
      well worth the money was putting in recessed lighting in most of the
      basement, it helps to open up the ceiling more and doesn't make you 
      feel like the basement is closing in own you.

4. Hung the drywall.  It is work, but it goes quickly.  If you drywall the 
      ceiling rent a drywall jack, the jack is great for getting the drywall 
      in place on the ceiling by yourself, without straining yourself. I
      did the taping and finish in my garage (what a pain), and decided that 
      was a job for a professional. Drywallers are skilled and make the job 
      look easy, well worth the money to pay for this. 

5. Stained, finished and installed doors and jams, baseboards, window sills,
      custom bookcases, and some custom cabinetry. This took a long long time 
      to do all of this. It is not difficult if you have a power miter box for 
      cutting the joints for the trim.  It just takes a long time to finish 
      600 ft of trim, 10 doors, bookcases, window sills and misc. small wood
      projects.
       
6. installed cabinets and plumbing fixtures.


   The friend that is in construction finished his basement in 1.5 months. So 
I don't want to discourage you that mine took a year. I just do what I can,
when I can, and as time  and money allows. We have not borrowed any money, to
complete the basement so it is all paid for. I think my basement is slightly
superior in quality of workmanship and materials then the main floor (the 
original constuction).  Atlest these are my excuses for taking so long.

   I wish you good luck, in finishing your basement and many happy years
of enjoying the basement.

--

Bob Hester  (mailstop AU-121)                    hester@hpsmpa.lvld.hp.com
Hewlett Packard                                  phone: (303)679-2185
PO BOX 301                                       fax: (303)679-5951
Loveland, CO. 80539

Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house