With real estate a prime commodity here on the Saanich Peninsula, homeowners want to ensure they’re maximizing their investment. After all, why leave that unfinished or outdated basement unused when it could add valuable living space for your family?
The right renovation can mean the difference between keeping your family in the home and community you love, and incurring the cost and struggle of negotiating a challenging market to find something new.
Think beyond the family rec room
In years past, unused basements often got cursory treatment as storage or teen rec area, but the possibilities are much greater, notes Srdjo Djurkovic, project manager with MAC Renovations.
Djurkovic recently completed a renovation on his own 1970-built two-storey, for example, that moved the family’s three bedrooms downstairs – much cooler in the summer heat, but with the proper insulation and vapour barriers in place, also dry and warm for winter.
Other popular options clients pursue include a home office that offers quiet and privacy away from the family hubbub, or a media / family room.
But before selecting wall colours and flooring, the renovation really starts with considering how you want to use the space today, and how those needs might change down the road. Is this a ‘forever home’ for your family, or do you anticipate moving in a few years? And of course, what’s your budget?
These kinds of questions will help guide the kind of renovation you want to do, Djurkovic explains.
With a clearer idea of your goals, the basement renovation process then moves outside. Most homes in the area will have concrete or clay perimeter drain tiles, so the MAC team will scope the drains to ensure they’re in good shape, with no indication of moisture seeping into the foundation.
Moving inside, a largely cosmetic update can be fairly straightforward, although Djurkovic recommends always considering where improvements could be made to boost comfort and efficiency, such as increasing insulation and replacing single- or double-paned windows with modern, three-paned options.
Depending on the space’s existing and future use, furnace capacity and configuration may need to be reviewed. Comfort will be key if you’ll be using it often, but an “occasional space,” like a home office or guest room, might be fine with an electric baseboard. Appropriate task and ambient lighting is also key for a basement space, and is typically a relatively simple upgrade that can make a big impact.
With a vision for your renovation in place, MAC will then schedule a trades walk-through, inviting the plumbing, electrical and other teams to review the space and plans, and highlight any potential challenges and efficiencies.
With the right groundwork in place, your under-utilized basement will soon become a valuable part of your home. To explore ideas for your home, visit MAC Renovations online at macreno.com or call
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