Best Basement Cleanout Conversion Tips

So you've tackled a few home improvement projects, like taking-out a kitchen soffit as part of a kitchen remodel. Now, you're looking to expand your home's livable square footage and have settled on the basement as the right space to convert. You might be considering making it into a media room, game room, a guest suite, an entertainment space, or, even an apartment income property. Whatever the reason, you should know the best basement cleanout conversion tips so you lessen the chances of running into common problems.

Best Basement Cleanout Conversion Tips

Perhaps you're an empty nester that's going to repurpose the space, or, you just are tired of having so much space taken-over by junk. What you do know for certain is your basement can do more than just serve as a wayward laundry room that's littered with all sorts of junk and possessions you don't even remember you have in the space. Another fact you're likely very well aware of is all that junk has got to go. Well, it could be time to host a garage or yard sale, sell some of it, and throw out what's left over.

Basements are typically about one-third of the entire home’s available space, 600 to 800 sq. ft. in the average home. And while some basements have been finished to create more living area, the majority of these spaces are used as makeshift laundry rooms, home offices, and storage repositories for everything from spare freezers to pantries, paints, and paperwork. In other words, most basements are underused. --Bob Vila

Regardless, of what you wind-up doing with all that junk in your basement, it will have to be empty to transform into livable square footage. That's where the first basement cleanout conversion tip comes-in, emptying the space out entirely. If you have a walkout basement, consider this to be your prime junk exit route. However, if you're stuck with stairs, do yourself a favor and create a wide traffic area through your home to the nearest exterior door. Here are some more of the best basement cleanout conversion tips you can use:

• Deal with the damp atmosphere. A very important factor you'll have to deal with is the moist atmosphere basements are so notorious for fostering. You'll need to add waterproofing and ample insulation to keep moisture, heat, and cold out of the space.
• Configure the plumbing lines for function. If your basement is equipped with laundry, that's a big plus, but, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be enough (especially if you plan on adding a half-bath, three-quarter bath, or full-bath. You might have to relocate the clothes washer and dryer and situate these near the bath.
• Upgrade the electrical wiring and lighting. Though the space might have a light or two, these won't be sufficient enough for a livable area. You have to install new electrical outlets, switches, and lighting in order to make it functional.
• Take climate control measures for heating and cooling. Even if you water proof and insulate the basement, those measures won't be enough to keep it warm during the winter and cool during the summer. So, you'll have to install climate control systems to be able to enjoy it when it's cold or hot outside.
• Finish all the walls, ceiling, and flooring in the basement. The last order of business in a basement conversion is to finish the walls, ceiling, and flooring. Go with practical solutions to keep under budget but make it look great.

When you need help with basement cleanout conversion, just phone 800-433-1094 or visit Pro Junk Dispatch. We have locations everywhere, and, one convenient location near you to help you out with any size basement cleanout. Just give us a call and we'll be there to get it done quickly and done right.