The best part about finishing a basement is the structure is already in place. There is no roof, subfloor or foundation required. All of this is part of the original structure so there is no need to go to the expense and hassle to add them. Here are some other ways to make your basement project more budget friendly.
Stained Floor
Because basements are below ground, they are notorious for being moist or wet. This can create problems for some building materials and finishes. A great way to combat this is to stain the existing concrete floor. By staining the floor, you create a cost effective, moisture resistant surface that will not get damaged if the basement floods.
Open Ceiling
Another potential design question that often comes up when finishing a basement is how to address the ceiling when mechanical systems are in the way. Things like ductwork, drain pipes and beams can really cut into the space for headroom in a basement. If a dropped ceiling is used, the lowest duct or drain pipe creates the height of the ceiling. To combat this some builders will combine both drywall and a dropped ceiling grid but this can look choppy.
Another option is to create an open ceiling concept where the entire ceiling is left open and is painted. This opens up the space and provides great access for future changes to the first floor of the home. For example, if you need to add a cable or electrical outlet in the future, the open ceiling concept in the foundation makes this easy to do.
Plumbing Locations
It's always nice to have a bathroom in the basement space for easy access. Unfortunately, this can get expensive if the drains have not already been roughed in. Cutting and removing concrete can be time consuming, messy and costly. So, in order to minimize the concrete work, place new bathroom close to existing plumbing stacks.
If this can not be done, you may want to consider installing a grinder crock and pump to lift the waste up to the proper height. This pump will force the sewage up to the height needed to flow by gravity to the existing drains and will limit the amount of concrete repairs needed.
A basement can be finished for as little as $ 8 to $ 10 per square foot if you manage the project yourself and follows these tips.