The dank, dark place in your home does not have to be that way. A basement renovation is a great way to brighten up that scary part of your house and turn it into a well lit, warm living space.

A basement renovation can be more challenging than say working on a part of your home that is above ground. When planning the design for your finished basement you will want to take the following 11 basement renovation tips into consideration:

1. Insulation

2. Moisture

3. Utilize Existing Space

4. Exits

5. Location of Furnace or Hot Water Heater

6. Basement Windows

7. Masonry

8. Selecting a Contractor

9. Stairways

10. Lighting

11. Condition of Joists, Posts, and Beams

Basement Renovation Tips

1. Insulation

Older homes may contain insulation with asbestos, which was typically used for ductwork and heating pipes. A qualified contractor can let you know if your current insulation poses any health risks. When insulating your basement opt for the sprayed foam type, which will bond to all the nooks and crannies in the walls resulting in less drafts and a warmer, dryer basement.

2. Moisture

Basements are known as the dampest regions of your house because they are usually prone to moisture problems. Problem moisture can appear as condensation, which is airborne water vapour that turns to water after contacting a cold surface, or seepage, which happens when water enters the basement through cracks in the foundation or leeches through the masonry. A qualified general contractor can perform several different types of moisture tests to find out how much moisture is in your basement.

3. Utilize Existing Space

Basements are usually the catchall for your storage needs. They also contain all the heating, plumbing, electrical and load bearing systems for the entire home. A successful basement-remodelling plan will utilize the existing space to ensure ease of use and practicality. Not only should it be easy for you to service any plumbing and electrical needs, but you also need storage space. A good contractor will incorporate these needs into the overall plan by creating access points in the ceilings and walls for maintenance, and converting unused areas, such as under the stairs, into functional storage spaces.

4. Exits

Most building codes require at least two exits. For a basement, the stairway up is generally considered as one exit and the second exit needs to be either a door leading outside or an egress window.

5. Location of Furnace or Hot Water Heater

The location of the furnace and hot water heaters can affect the planning of your basement renovation. You will need to either incorporate them into your design, or if they be can move, incur the cost of having them repositioned.

6. Basement Windows

Basement windows are important for two reasons; they provide a source of natural lighting and can be used as emergency exists. If there are no doors leading outside it is important to install egress windows, which will act as emergency exits. However if the basement is fully underground, soil will need to be removed and a retaining wall will have to be installed to allow for egress windows.

7. Masonry

Check for cracks in the masonry. Large cracks could signify walls that are structurally unsound and these will require repair before a basement renovation can begin. Small cracks in masonry usually cause moisture, not structural problems, so these should be sealed to prevent moisture from getting in.

8. Selecting a Contractor

Whether you have a detailed plan or you are still in the beginning stages of planning you will need to research a good contractor in your area. A general contractor that specializes in basements may be the way to go, since this way you will be able to see some samples of their work. Take the time to get references and contact the homeowners to get a review on the contractor's performance.

9. Stairways

Older homes where built with the basement as a place to store the furnace, hot water heater and the other mechanics of a house. Consequently older homes usually have a set of steep narrow stairs leading to the basement. If you are going to renovate your basement you may need to replace the stairs to get them up to code.

10. Lighting

As everyone knows the basement is a very dark place. If you are lucky enough your basement may already posses a few windows, but they probably do not add much natural light. A general contractor can develop a lighting plan to create warm and bright places, using a variety of lighting products and fixtures to make your refinished basement warm and inviting.

11. Condition of Joists, Posts, and Beams

You will need to take a look at the condition of all the floor joists, wood posts, and beams and inspect them for damage. Any weakened framing will have to be reinforced or replaced.

Using some creativity and planning, your dark, dank basement will no longer be a place feared by small children. You can transform it into a warm, well light, inviting living space that will provide you and you home with value for years to come.