Townhouses are great especially if you live in a city like New York. You get your own ground floor space with the added luxury of a second or even third floor. Some even come with spacious basements that serve as extra space for storage or as a utility room. If you happen to have a basement in your townhouse, you might want to extend its use beyond that of a normal utility room. A basement can serve as a home office, a family room, or even as an extra source of income if you’re comfortable with the idea of having it rented out to someone else. While renovating a basement is not an easy task, if you do it right, it can significantly increase the value of your townhouse. If you’re undergoing townhouse renovation, you might as well make good use of that extra underground space instead of just letting it go to waste. Below are some tips on how you can transform your basement from a dingy underground space to a modern dwelling that you and your family or an extra guest can enjoy:
Check for Problem Areas
If you haven’t used your basement for a long time or if you’re moving into a townhouse that you’ve just bought, you might want to check the basement for common problems. Basements that are left untouched with pipes exposed are prone to mold and mildew due to the excess moisture. If there’s water in the basement, make sure to get rid of it first before you address other issues. This is especially important if you are planning to have some electrical work done down there. Consult a townhouse renovation expert to help you deal with your moisture problem.
Determine Your Purpose
If you plan to have it rented out as living space, you have to make sure that the ceiling is high enough and that there are provisions for adding an extra bathroom. Plumbing alone can cost you a lot of money so you really have to take these things into account before starting with your renovations. You should also check if you could add drainage and waste lines so that you can add a fully functional bathroom. If you’re converting it to a home office or an entertainment room, then you shouldn’t have to deal with extra plumbing or drainage unless you still plan on adding a bathroom.
Fixing up an old basement that hasn’t been used for ages can be one of the most expensive aspects of your townhouse renovation so make sure to consult a renovation expert so that you can reach the full potential of your basement in terms of functionality and design.