Renovating your basement is an excellent way to add usable space and value to your home. While you can store unwanted items in an unfinished basement, you can only maximize the function of the space once its construction has been completed.

Basement renovation is a worthwhile investment, but how do you go about a basement renovation on a budget? Read on to get some helpful tips.

Work With A Reputable Contractor

The average cost to finish a basement in Toronto is CAD$35 to CAD$55 per square foot, which depends on the materials you choose, labor, and the extent of renovations. Working with a reliable company such as Reno Duck Inc. can save you money when renovating on a budget. 

The contractor’s rates should cover the entire process, including design, labor, materials, and cleaning. You can get a detailed estimate if you turn to a reputable basement renovation company. Here are the most important things to look for when searching for the right contractor:

• Workmanship Guarantee: A good contractor vouches for the excellent quality of their work, and you’ll find ones that can offer up to two years of workmanship guarantee.
• Up to Date With New Technologies: The contractor should be highly knowledgeable about the latest trends in the construction industry and embrace modern technologies, particularly in project management for the sake of efficiency.
• Licensed And Specialized: Work with skilled specialists who can deliver high-quality basement renovation solutions. 

DIY Basement Renovation Tips On A Budget

Planning is crucial if you’re on a tight budget when renovating your basement. You have to determine the perfect layout and sections you want to set up—such as a home office, a workout area, or a napping corner—without spending more than you can afford.

If you’re planning a DIY basement renovation, follow these steps:

1. Gradually Improve The Basement

Once you’ve determined your budget, you can stick to it by limiting the amount of basement space you’re going to renovate at a time. You can start building a living room in one part, then work on a bathroom, and after a few years finish the rest of the basement. For areas still being renovated, you can put up a temporary partition or close them off by hanging drapes or curtains so you can use the other sections.

By renovating your basement, you’ll be able to make your home more livable. Once you’ve saved enough, you can add extra rooms such as a home theater or a music room by soundproofing your basement. In the part of the basement you’re working on, ensure that electrical outlets are installed in accessible areas so you can use electric appliances and devices without a problem.

2. Paintwork

An excellent paint job can boost the overall appearance of your basement. It’s a good idea to paint exposed ducts, pipes, and beams with a solid color so they won’t stand out too much while you’re saving up for the ceiling and interior walls.

Try the following paintwork tips when renovating your basement:

• Clean all surfaces before painting any part of the basement, and make sure everything’s sealed properly to keep moisture out and prevent mold growth.
• If you have unfinished basement walls, paint the cinder blocks with acrylic or latex masonry paint.
• Use light colors to brighten up your basement and make it look and feel bigger.
• Add a bold accent wall paint color that will provide contrast to white or neutral colors in the basement.

3. Install DIY Flooring 

Hardwood and carpet floors can be hard on the budget, so instead, you can choose easy-to-install flooring such as carpet or vinyl tiles. Another option is using foam mat squares to create a home gym or playground space in your basement. If you prefer hard flooring, you can simply paint the floor using a bright color or stain your basement’s concrete flooring for a natural look.

4. Install Lighting 

Classic ceiling lights for basement areas are highly recommended since they’re ideal for dark spaces. Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs are the commonly used bulbs for basement lighting because they’re energy-efficient and long-lasting. Meanwhile, you can illuminate storage rooms and pantries with bright ceiling lights such as parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) spotlights.

When choosing lighting fixtures for your basement, go for lamps, wall sconces, or anything that allows light to bounce off surfaces. Avoid hanging lighting fixtures because they’ll only make your basement seem even lower.

Conclusion

Basement renovation shouldn’t hurt your pocket that much. Apply the basement renovation tips above to save some money. Hiring a trusted professional will also allow you to stretch your budget since they may offer service packages for a great price. For a DIY renovation project, you can opt for easy-to-install materials and renovate only one area of your basement at a time.