Now’s the time when many of us start thinking about what home improvement projects we’d like to tackle this year. If a basement makeover is at the top of your list, here are the key steps you need to take:

1. Design your layout.

Many pros recommend keeping the space open concept, maximizing your flexibility to use it for anything – a kids’ playroom, man cave or home theatre. If you want to add a kitchen and bathroom for an income suite or in-law apartment but don’t have the budget for it right now, you can have rough-ins installed to make it easier to complete later.

2. Address access points.

From slight cracks to larger holes, you want to make sure your home is protected from dangers and nuisances before doing anything else. Radon, a dangerous gas, can seep in through cracks in the concrete, so seal and reinforce those first. Also looks for nooks and crannies where mice and other pests may enter and seal those up as well.

3. Protect against moisture.

Basements can be damp and often have problems with mould and mildew. To guard against these issues, install a subfloor. A critical step in any basement reno, a quality subflooring protects against moisture and insulates against the cold, hard concrete, making the space cozy and comfortable.

– (courtesy of NewsCanada)