If you have an unfinished basement, that is family space that is not being utilized. If you are considering finishing your basement, there are several things you need to keep in mind.

First, before you start the refinishing project, have a contractor check your basement for moisture. Your basement needs to be completely dry in order to refinish it. Otherwise, you will install new features and decorate, only to have those features warped by water damage.

If you are planning to install or refinish your basement bathroom, you should also have a contractor check the plumbing in the basement before you begin. If you can use the existing plumbing, your basement bathroom will be relatively inexpensive to install. If you need to install new pipes, the project will be more expensive. The only way to know for sure is to have a contractor check.

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Most homeowners buy their houses thinking that they will have enough space for their families and possessions. Invariably, however, just about every homeowner gets to the point where he or she realizes that there is just not enough square footage to accommodate a growing family. When this is the case, it is a great idea to hire a home addition contractor who can increase the square footage of a home through the construction of a new home addition.

Creating a new home addition is only worth if it blends in seamlessly with the rest of the home. Otherwise you will end up with an unattractive finished product that may make your house harder to sell in the future. It is not too difficult to create a seamless home addition, however, if you keep several things in mind.

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Taking on a new home addition is not a light undertaking because of the effort and expense involved with adding living space to your home. Still, adding onto your house can be a great decision because it will give you the extra room you need and make your home more attractive to buyers when you finally put it up for sale. To get the best bang for your buck when taking on a new home addition, there are a few basic things to consider.

It is important, first of all, that you hire a respected and reliable home improvement contractor. Some contractors will not focus all of their attention on your job and may leave you with a shoddily constructed home addition. Obviously, this is not what you are looking for, so hire a home improvement contractor with a proven track record of quality to avert disappointment.

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Northern homeowners benefit greatly from the extra room that basements provide. Many people choose to leave their basements unfinished and use them only for extra storage space, but others who want more living space in their homes will finish or remodel their existing basements in order to achieve that extra room. Several basement remodeling ideas can help you get the most out of your basement and make it a room in which people will want to hang out.

Basements often have low ceilings, which can make them feel cramped and closed in. Instead of overhead lights that hang down from the ceiling, consider installing low-voltage recessed lighting. This will make the ceilings appear higher and make the basement more roomy.

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Oh the luxury of a large bathroom – Jacuzzi tubs, steam showers, double-vanity sinks. You can have the works. While this is utopia, small bathrooms can be just as luxurious. All you have to do is maximize the space you have.

Following are two small bathroom remodeling tips that can turn your mini space into a slice of heaven.

Do Away with the Shower/Tub Combo: Why would you want to do that? So that you can replace it with a roomy, spa-like shower instead. Invest in a high-end tile to really make the space “pop” visually. Then add beautiful fixtures for a finishing touch.

After all of this, it will barely register that the tub is gone.

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If you’re thinking of adding another level to your home, there are going to be stairs. Or, if you’re thinking of updating an existing staircase, a spiral staircase is an elegant option. You can even install a spiral staircase where one didn’t exist before, eg, one leading to the attic which currently has pull-down stairs.

Advantages of the Spiral Staircase

• Space: Generally speaking, spiral staircases don’t take up as much space as angular ones. So if you want more living space, they are a perfect option.
• Many Design Options: Spiral staircases can be constructed using metal or wood, so your design options are limitless. For example, you can get wooden stairs with iron railings; or metal stairs with metal railings; or wood stairs with wood railings; etc. Your choice in railings is only limited by your imagination. You can have them custom-made, or go with prefab ones you can find in any major home improvement store.

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If you have a growing family and shrinking space, remodeling the basement can give you the extra space you need. “But,” you may be thinking, “my basement is small. Is it worth it to remodel it?” And, the answer is an unequivocal yes. A basement remodeling expert can help you turn even the smallest basement into a functional, usable space you and your family can enjoy.

Following are some small basement remodeling ideas to give you some extra space, and some peace of mind.

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