| Transforming existing raw space into an extra | | | | showerheads.Gather the right professionals |
| bedroom, a playroom, or a guest or master suite is an | | | | Several professionals are involved in an addition |
| affordable way to make your house bigger. You can | | | | project. They include:ArchitectCarpenter and/or drywall |
| also winterize an unheated sunroom or porch to | | | | contractorFlooring contractorLicensed electricianHVAC |
| transform a two- or three-season room into a | | | | specialistLicensed plumberWindow supplier/installerAs |
| year-round retreat. You can transform a | | | | project manager, you coordinate the work, schedule, |
| two-bedroom, two-bath house into a "new" | | | | and budget. Jobs need to be completed in a particular |
| three-bedroom, three-bathroom house just by making | | | | order. Follow this general timeline:Prepare the floor |
| your unused space livable!Be Your Own Project | | | | Check the condition of the existing subfloor and floor |
| Manager | | | | joists. If you are finishing a basement, you must inspect |
| Finishing the existing raw space in your home for | | | | the condition of its floor. Most basements have poured |
| livability requires the help of specialists in several | | | | concrete floors, and sometimes they slope steeply for |
| trades: plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and others, | | | | drainage purposes. If that's the case, the floor must be |
| including flooring and possibly stoneworking for tile | | | | leveled before proceeding with the work. A |
| work. So while it's not a do-it-yourself job, you can | | | | handyperson or contractor should pour a thin concrete |
| manage the project yourself and become your own | | | | overlay to level it. Be sure that access to any existing |
| general contractor. That way, you'll save money and | | | | floor drains is maintained! Drains need to stay functional |
| choose and work with the tradespeople whom you | | | | in case of basement flooding. Check with a plumber to |
| really like. Managing the project gives you tremendous | | | | find out if you will be required to periodically pour water |
| control over personnel, quality control, and finishes. | | | | in them to prevent sewer gas from building up.Install |
| You're the boss! Here are the basic steps you'll want | | | | any necessary HVAC systems |
| to follow:Set aside some time | | | | Ductwork is cumbersome. In basements, where ceiling |
| Expect to spend from 1 to several hours a day for | | | | height is always a consideration, soffits may be |
| several months dealing with some aspect of the | | | | required to cover up any vents running overhead, |
| renovation. Managing the transformation of any space | | | | which can lower the ceiling. Basements are usually |
| in your home does not require you to be on-site every | | | | cool and may not require air-conditioning systems. |
| minute, but you do have to check in often, inspect the | | | | They do require heating, however. Be sure the HVAC |
| work as it progresses, pay bills, consult with the | | | | specialist locates supply ducts near outside walls. Install |
| tradespeople who are on the site, coordinate with and | | | | return air ducts on interior walls or ceilings away from |
| schedule the tradespeople who need to come in, | | | | the supply ducts. The idea is to "draw" air across the |
| make sure the site is organized safely and in a way | | | | room. Particular attention must be paid to ventilating, |
| that protects workers (and therefore your liability), | | | | heating, and cooling attic rooms.Install plumbing |
| monitor rubbish removal, and troubleshoot.Determine | | | | You can solve plumbing issues in other parts of your |
| your budget | | | | house at this time, too, if necessary. If the existing drain |
| Every decision you make flows from your budget, | | | | stacks in the house are made from PVC, they need to |
| from how much to spend on flooring to how fancy | | | | be wrapped with insulation to minimize sound |
| you want your bathroom fixtures to be.Decide how | | | | transmission. Cold-water lines may need to be |
| you want to use the space | | | | insulated if you have had problems in the past with |
| Will it be an extra bedroom and bath, a family room, | | | | condensation, because it may drip onto your new |
| or a children's playroom? The function will help inform | | | | ceiling. Have the plumber rough in bathroom plumbing |
| many of the finishes you choose. For example, a | | | | so he or she can come back later to install the fixtures. |
| children's playroom may benefit from a hardwood floor | | | | Rough plumbing is all the plumbing components that |
| partially covered by a large rug. How elaborate do you | | | | need to be installed before the finish tradespeople |
| want the bathroom to be? If you are transforming a | | | | (drywall contractor, painter, and so on) come in to do |
| space into a master suite, the bathroom should have | | | | their jobs, including the waste and supply water lines |
| double vanities and a glass enclosure for the shower, | | | | that are in the walls or framing of the building. |
| which should have extra wall and overhead | | | | |