Renew • Colorado's Remodeling Magazine

From bedrooms and baths to a full-blown entertainment room, a comfortable and efficient basement must be well thought out and designed to accommodate the most common usage. Is it teens or toddlers or 20-somethings who will traipse around? Should it be comfortable for the sleepover crowd where video games and text messages will rule the evening, or will it be the weekend gathering place for sports fans who want to catch the Broncos game on a huge screen?

Interior designers, architects and contractors can help sort out the details.

If unfinished, the basement planning can get under way without a thought for the problems created by others. But Randy Shelton of GRC Builders in Denver points out the problems in older basements usually involved the sins of others who wanted a job done inexpensively. “Usually the previous owner has hired someone to do work who is not a licensed, skilled contractor,” Shelton said. Electrical systems that don’t meet code and walls placed on concrete that are not “floating,” are two of the common challenges in older homes.

The furnace, air conditioning unit, hot water heater, ductwork and other mechanical systems need to be tucked away so that the main floor space is open. Because it’s a basement, safety is a concern in case of fire. Again, older homes need to be brought up to code by replacing small windows with egress windows. Not only does it provide more light into the room, but the feel can change from cavernous to comfortable.

GRC Builders owner Randy Shelton grew up working in the home building industry, earned a business degree and, along with his wife, has operated a successful remodeling company for nearly 20 years. All companies approach the process differently. Some, such as GRC are design-build firms that will manage the process start to finish. Other times, homeowners will hire an architect prior to bringing in contractors. Interior designers are also called upon to provide guidance in a process that can be time consuming and unmanageable for some homeowners.

Shelton’s business has evolved with the times, he points out. GRC’s basement business originally centered on finishing new homes. But in the past few years, he has focused on homes built in the 1980s and before.

On average, the basements GRC finishes are about 1,000 square feet. Averaged out, most projects will cost $40,000-$50,000, he said.

And although some homeowners need only the basics downstairs, Shelton points out that over time he has completed a few extraordinary projects. In one case, he built an archery lane for the homeowners. Another customer wanted drawers built into each of the risers under the stairs, which has become more popular as people seek out additional places to store their … treasurers. Because the drawers are fairly prominent, a contractor with a true sense of aesthetics is imperative.

Entertainment rooms, wet bars, bathrooms and bedrooms are common pieces of the puzzle. But whatever level of detail that is needed, Shelton said it’s important to communicate with the homeowner. “Probably the best thing everyone can do is get mentally prepared for the process,” Shelton said, adding that the homeowner should feel comfortable talking to the builder. “Otherwise, that job isn’t going to be successful.”

“Everyone’s a little gun shy before the process,” Shelton said. “We spend a lot time going through what to expect from GRC Builders. – how to solve all of the nightmares. Then we focus on keeping them informed on what’s going to happen.”

SIDEBAR:

Getting started in the basement

When it’s time to talk with an architect or contractor about finishing a basement or at least remodeling, be prepared to discuss some aspects of home improvement that are unique to the basement. For example, Colorado’s normally dry climate allows us to avoid many of the mold issues that impact people in other parts of the country. However, in the basement, below-ground concrete, wood and walls need to be addressed.

Here are a few considerations suggested by BasementRemodeler.com.
• Is the basement dry – and will it stay that way?
• Is the basement warm? In addition to the standard heat source, many people like to make their downstairs rooms more comfortable with a fireplace, wood-burning stove or heated flooring.
• A good solution to eliminate moisture and resulting mold from the concrete slab is electric floor heating. The drying effects of floor heat will reduce the humidity coming from the slab, which is the largest source of moisture.
• Floating walls are normally the best basement bet.
• Because any water leaks inside or outside your home will eventually permeate the ground, it’s best to think about cleanup when planning basement flooring. “For floors, area rugs are ideal because they can be removed, cleaned and dried. If you must have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider a low pile commercial or indoor/outdoor type,” says Basement Remodeler.
• If you install carpet, use the thickest carpet pad possible in order to cover irregularities in the concrete.
• When decorating and furnishing, think it terms of bright colors to brighten the darkest room in the house.
• Egress windows will likely be part of any modern design that is up to code.
• Although adding as much natural light as possible is most important, creativity with artificial light runs a close second. “Use indirect lighting that splashes large pools of light on the ceiling. Table and floor lamps can be pleasing.