Basement Finishing Projects

Most people who have a home with an unfinished concrete basement dream of finishing off their basement themselves and reaping the rewards in a couple of months of weekend and evening labor. For the DIY 'ers out there with a little bit carpentry experience, or maybe some drywall and paint experience think this is a great project to add value to their home. And it is, if done right.

But we hear and see the results of the DIY basement project that didn't take 3 months, or even 6 months. The norm for a DIY basement project is somewhere between a year and 3 years.

Why? Well just look at the labor involved, this is an average off all labor, not broken down into categories.

The average 1000 square foot basement job with a family room, bedroom and bath takes around 2000 man hours to complete by professionals. 3 Men working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 16 weeks equals 1920 hours.

The average DIY guy puts in about 10 hours on a weekend and maybe 4 hours total during the week in the evenings after work because his better half has threatened to divorce him if she can't get into the laundry, SOON! So work the math, 2000 professional hours times an extra 25% (get real, your not a pro) is 2500 hours divided by the 14 hours a week he can put in equals 178 weeks, divided by 52 weeks in a year is a whopping 3 years and 5 months. Even if you get the buddies to help, when they can, you knock off about 6 months.

So in about 3 years and you will have a beautiful finished basement, with all the proper permits pulled, the inspections done, the passing grades and finally a certificate of occupancy. .

Investing in a professional basement finishing project by a licensed and insured contractor guarantees the work will meet code, pass inspections and be ready in about 4 months. No attorney costs when she files for divorce, no medical bills for the cuts, bruises, and occasional puncture would from a nail gun or razor knife. No surgeries for the torn rotator cuffs, ripped tendons or broken bones.

Just the satisfaction that you made the right decision and saved yourself a lot of pain and suffering and probably your marriage.

Centennial Construction has built over 110 custom basements in the South Metro Denver area over that past 10 years. We know basements. We also do consulting for the really talented and serious DIY enthusiasts. From planning and design to permits and inspection help. An affordable option if you are dead set on building it yourself.

Do It Yourself Basement Remodel Not The Easy Weekend Job You Think!

A few years back my wife and decided to invest in a little home improvement with our tax refund. She wanted a finished basement remodel and I wanted a deck. After serious deliberation and research on decks, size, height, single level, multi-level, material - natural or that new stuff, she got her basement.

You should know I am not a professional carpenter or drywaller or plumber or work in any of the trades that might help me in such a simple task as building out my almost 1000 sq ft unfinished concrete basement into a family room, laundry room, 2nd master bedroom and bathroom and a utility room. Yes, I was once a Journeyman Lineman that worked with tools and electricity and 100' utility poles so I have a working understanding of how to swing a hammer. use a saw or drill and assorted other things, so this couldn't be a difficult task. Or so my wife thought. And in fairness I thought the same thing. Ego.

Four years later she had her finished basement. Could have had a deck in 3 weekends but even today I have to agree she was right and the darn thing is gorgeous and worth every penny and pain that went into it. Just imagine four years of looking down the basement steps dreading the 14 risers down into the pit from hell. That's what I began to call it. And I really did dread it. But today I love it.

It wasn't easy and I do NOT recommend anyone actually try it. I will NEVER do another one. And I had help. I had three teenage sons that gave me approximately 30 hours each over four years (that's 90 hours out of 35,040) and my wife who worked tirelessly to get me down into the pit from hell and finish the darn job! She also framed, dry walled, taped , textured and help with the doors, she is an angel and inspiration for all wives who want a finished basement done by their husbands. God bless you honey.

But some of the best help came from the owner of Centennial Construction, Dave Bayes. He designed it, got it approved through the city and helped me get the permits. He worked with me on framing, duct work, electrical and plumbing. I mean worked. He even had his own tool belt!!! Without his advice it probably would have been a seven year project. And the four it took had nothing to do with him, you see he is my brother and he had real jobs to work on but he knows his stuff and helped get through it all. Thanks Dave.

So, this post could go on for pages if I tell you the whole story, so I won't. What I want to let you know is that basement remodeling is a huge job and better left to professionals.