First Building Project Ever

[Pa Jayhawk]

This is what has become of our basement. VT and Sling posted theirs, so I thought I would post progress on mine this is my first project ever. 5 years ago I was afraid to patch holes in drywall. I left the Electric and Plumbing to the experts, but did and will do the rest. The plumber will be out tomorrow to jackhammer for the shower in the BR.

Living Room. There is a sliding glass door and window to the right about 3-5 feet behind the entertainment center.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Workout Room. There is also a closet, Network, Speaker setup and Cable panel under the steps.

[Bravo]

I like the arch...it gives it a classy touch.

[Pa Jayhawk]

From What will be a Bar accross the dining area

[Pa Jayhawk]

From Living area, there is 3-5 feet a window and sliding door, which will eventually be french doors

[Pa Jayhawk]

Full Bathroom after tommorrow.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Bar and dining area. Steps on right, Workout room first door, second door is unfinished tool room with Refrigerator going Back. Will have bar, Cabinet, sink, Dishwasher, no stove though.

[Pa Jayhawk]

I like the arch...it gives it a classy touch.

Thanks. It was a long and narrow area, and seemed like it need some kind of seperation so it would not look like a bowling alley. My wifes mother does feax (SP?) finish and will be doing so in the basement. She will be painting Grapevines on the archway and etching grapevines on the Living Room side. The bar area will be a golf theme, 10 foot bar with all the course balls I have collected in the front, and ball marks with poured acrylic in the top. We are also doing a 8-10' Texas Holdem' table that will have a removable top to second as a dining table. Indian Tile in the Bar, Pergo in the center and WOR and carpet in the LR.

[Jay McNasty]

Nice. I helped my parents finish their basement several years ago. They left the plumbing, electrical, and framing to the pros and we hung sheetrock, textured and painted. It's really not that bad and we knocked it out in two weekends with about a 6 man crew.

I'll have to post up picutres of my deck that we will start working on in two weeks.

[Bravo]

Great plan. You will have a fun playground down there when you are done.

Put in one of those golf video systems that utilizes full sized/regular clubs.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Great plan. You will have a fun playground down there when you are done.

Put in one of those golf video systems that utilizes full sized/regular clubs.

I thought about the golf video system, although it will be a Suspended ceiling that will only be about 7 1/2 feet when all done. The Living Area Door goes out underneath our Deck from upstairs. I am planning on putting a enclosed deck area out there that will have screens for the summer and Storm Windows for the winter, which will also have a roof which allow us to go out in the rain. But we want to wait a year to see what the light and the view in the basement is like so we do not take away from the basement. My intension is to build a platform off of that to use as a tee box facing the woods with a net, and add a possible Launch Monitor/PC based Simulator. Probably the great part of having a wife who golfs as much as I do. It doesn't take much convincing on golf related things.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Nice. I helped my parents finish their basement several years ago. They left the plumbing, electrical, and framing to the pros and we hung sheetrock, textured and painted. It's really not that bad and we knocked it out in two weekends with about a 6 man crew.

I'll have to post up picutres of my deck that we will start working on in two weeks.

It is taking a little longer than expected, but it is only me, and as I said this is the first time I have done any kind of work like this, so it I am being more maticulous and taking my time to make sure it is all correct. My friend from my old area has been out a few times and showed me the ropes for a couple hours each time. I don't touch electric, and had I known they now use flexible pvc plumbing for the high pressure, I would have done it myself. All said and done it took 90 sheets of drywall and will add about 1500 square feet finished and 200 unfinished back by the boiler and tools.

The enclosed deck out back will be my next project, now that I have all the tools. We also plan on doing a patio, dining area with an outdoor fireplace.

I think this will be my last major project though.

[VtDivot]

Nice work Jayhawk. A few questions...

1. Obviously you are doing a drop ceiling since you already rocked the walls. Am I correct in assuming this?

2. I don't see any cans in the ceiling. What are you doing for light?

3. Running electrical is pretty simple if you are careful. I'd have a pro tie it into the panel however

4. Flooring? What is the verdict? Carpet on pad right on the concrete?

5. Storage? Make sure you have lots and that it is in a closed off area. If you get into any woodworking routers kick out really fine dust that gets everywhere

[Slingblade61]

I gotta get a new job......my basement looks like Kosovo. I do this stuff for a living and it's the last thing I want to do when I get home.

Nice work Jayhawk.

[mediaguru]

I'll never finish my own basment again. 2 years ago I did it and trashed my elbows. I fought extreme tennis & golfer's elbow over the next year. It still flares up a bit if I hit a bad shot. Never again!