Home and Auto How much does it cost to finish a basement?

BWillie · 03-24-2009, 09:33 PM

I know it depends alot of square feet and other factors, but what is a general rule of thumb? I'm looking at houses right now and basically, I will not buy a house without a finished basement. I've noticed that alot of houses are significantly cheaper that I like, but the only thing that gets me away from them is not having a finished basement. I'm kinda in a time crunch, because my FHA 4.7% interest rate only lasts for so long. Hell of a time to buy a house right now.

I don't want to put a room down there or anything. Don't really need a bathroom either. Just a wet bar, some good chiefs memorabilia, and make it a nice rec room. BTW, I am not handy at all. Unless it's something I can learn in a weekend, I ain't doin' it. Any good reputable companies around here that specialize in that kind of thing?

**luv** · 03-24-2009, 09:37 PM

I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that you will probably pay less for a house with an unfinished basement and finishing it yourself than you will for a house with a finished basement. You're also smart to have someone else do it, especially if you're not handy. You try to do it yourelf, and you'll have the cost of doing it AND having it redone.

**Bugeater** · 03-24-2009, 09:43 PM

$10K on up to whatever you're willing to spend.

**Iowanian** · 03-24-2009, 09:44 PM

How much does a car cost?

How much does food cost?

How much does a Christmas present cost?

how big is a breasticle?

**DeezNutz** · 03-24-2009, 09:44 PM

I wouldn't let an unfinished basement be the deal breaker, dude.

That's pretty damn low on the hierarchy of what's really important.

**luv** · 03-24-2009, 09:46 PM

Are you sure you don't want a bathroom near the wet bar? Stairs can be tricky when you're drunk off your ass.

**Bugeater** · 03-24-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Are you sure you don't want a bathroom near the wet bar? Stairs can be tricky when you're drunk off your ass.

All men need is a floor drain, and every basement has one.

RJ · 03-24-2009, 09:50 PM

Carpet doesn't cost very much.

Do you want a basement refrigerator?

Assuming the basement doesn't have a bathroom, how far do you have to go to take a piss?

How finished is finished?

**KcMizzou** · 03-24-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

All men need is a floor drain, and every basement has one.

Exactly.

BWillie · 03-24-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

I wouldn't let an unfinished basement be the deal breaker, dude.

That's pretty damn low on the hierarchy of what's really important.

Yeah, I have strange priorities. I don't even care if my house has a garage. WTF am I gonna do with a garage. As long as I don't live on a busy street. I'm thinking my car will be alright.

BWillie · 03-24-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Carpet doesn't cost very much.

Do you want a basement refrigerator?

Assuming the basement doesn't have a bathroom, how far do you have to go to take a piss?

How finished is finished?

I already have enough refrigerators. I don't need a bathroom in the basement, mainly because that will skyrocket the price of how much it would cost. In a perfect world, it would be nice. But I'm not planning on making it rain. Just want a nice area where I can put a wet bar. Pool table, big screen, and ping pong table. Not for beer pong, but for Ping Pong. Best sport in the world. I love non-cardiovascular sports.

**luv** · 03-24-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Yeah, I have strange priorities. I don't even care if my house has a garage. WTF am I gonna do with a garage. As long as I don't live on a busy street. I'm thinking my car will be alright.

You get a house, you're gonna need storage.

**luv** · 03-24-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

I already have enough refrigerators. I don't need a bathroom in the basement, mainly because that will skyrocket the price of how much it would cost. In a perfect world, it would be nice. But I'm not planning on making it rain. Just want a nice area where I can put a wet bar. Pool table, big screen, and ping pong table. Not for beer pong, but for Ping Pong. Best sport in the world. I love non-cardiovascular sports.

If you could spend $5K to put a bathroom down there, it would definitely help jack up the price come time to sell. Just sayin'. Even if it's just a half bath.

**DeezNutz** · 03-24-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Yeah, I have strange priorities. I don't even care if my house has a garage. WTF am I gonna do with a garage. As long as I don't live on a busy street. I'm thinking my car will be alright.

This this is going to be your first house, you should be thinking primarily about resale because this definitely won't be your last home purchase.

Get in the investment mindset. Location. Lot. Stuff like this that will be important, not necessarily to you, but the next guy.

The problem with sinking money into basements is that, unless it's a walkout, it doesn't count toward your overall square footage. In other words, it might make the place more desirable, but you might not necessarily make any money off the investment (or even get all the money you put in back).

**KcMizzou** · 03-24-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

You get a house, you're gonna need storage.

Yeah. For all the shit you think you might use someday, but never do...

I've got tons of it.

03-24-2009, 09:33 PM
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1518759	How much does it cost to finish a basement? I know it depends alot of square feet and other factors, but what is a general rule of thumb? I'm looking at houses right now and basically, I will not buy a house without a finished basement. I've noticed that alot of houses are significantly cheaper that I like, but the only thing that gets me away from them is not having a finished basement. I'm kinda in a time crunch, because my FHA 4.7% interest rate only lasts for so long. Hell of a time to buy a house right now. I don't want to put a room down there or anything. Don't really need a bathroom either. Just a wet bar, some good chiefs memorabilia, and make it a nice rec room. BTW, I am not handy at all. Unless it's something I can learn in a weekend, I ain't doin' it. Any good reputable companies around here that specialize in that kind of thing?
Posts: 52,972

03-24-2009, 09:37 PM	#2
luv You think you can get by this? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $-1260000	I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that you will probably pay less for a house with an unfinished basement and finishing it yourself than you will for a house with a finished basement. You're also smart to have someone else do it, especially if you're not handy. You try to do it yourelf, and you'll have the cost of doing it AND having it redone.
Posts: 63,567

03-24-2009, 09:43 PM	#3
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	$10K on up to whatever you're willing to spend.
Posts: 70,546

03-24-2009, 09:44 PM	#4
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1648454	How much does a car cost? How much does food cost? How much does a Christmas present cost? how big is a breasticle?
Posts: 62,945

03-24-2009, 09:46 PM	#6
luv You think you can get by this? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $-1260000	Are you sure you don't want a bathroom near the wet bar? Stairs can be tricky when you're drunk off your ass.
Posts: 63,567

03-24-2009, 09:50 PM	#8
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9895202	Carpet doesn't cost very much. Do you want a basement refrigerator? Assuming the basement doesn't have a bathroom, how far do you have to go to take a piss? How finished is finished?
Posts: 14,940