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Finishing a Basement: Any Extras I should add now?

'Clones Fan

'Clones Fan

Member
Nov 13, 2006
202
4
18
Minneapolis, MN
As I said above, I am finishing my basement. Basically, I am the general contractor and am hiring everything out.

Any extras that I should do now that I will never have another chance at?

I am running gas for an outdoor firepit and to the garage.

Plenty of cable outlets and power outlets.

Anything that you missed? Or anything you did that was well worth it?

Thanks.
 
'Clones Fan said:
As I said above, I am finishing my basement. Basically, I am the general contractor and am hiring everything out.

Any extras that I should do now that I will never have another chance at?

I am running gas for an outdoor firepit and to the garage.

Plenty of cable outlets and power outlets.

Anything that you missed? Or anything you did that was well worth it?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


Phone/computer? Particularly around any entertainment centers - DirecTV, gaming consoles.
 
Not sure on your setup, but run power/cable/hdmi up to the ceiling as well in case you want to add a projector at some point (maybe you already have one)
 
RubyClone said:
Phone/computer? Particularly around any entertainment centers - DirecTV, gaming consoles.
Click to expand...

For sure. Does a guy need to run 2x ethernet cords to the area where the receiver/game console, etc. are going to sit, or can 1 be split similar to cable?

Also, if I am going to have 3 TV's does 1 cable, split 2x provide enough cable?
 
Either get a sump-pump installed or make sure the ground is built up and slopes away from your foundation. Water in the basement will destroy all of your hard work.
 
huntt26 said:
Not sure on your setup, but run power/cable/hdmi up to the ceiling as well in case you want to add a projector at some point (maybe you already have one)
Click to expand...

This was a specific question I was going to ask as well. Am going to start with a TV, but had thought about a projector. I suppose it costs nothing to do it now and is impossible later.
 
We got a wine fridge at a Big Lots type store. Built it into the wall and built a bar around it with a spot for taps. Also I would run speaker wire in the main area through the ceilings/walls. Was a huge help when we decided to add in a surround sound system down there. We also have a urinal!
 
CNECloneFan said:
Either get a sump-pump installed or make sure the ground is built up and slopes away from your foundation. Water in the basement will destroy all of your hard work.
Click to expand...

Also, if you can (and if you have kids) use some kind of hanging ceiling below the kitchen sink and any first floor bathrooms.
 
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Things we did that were happy we did:

Egress window, added tons of light (may or may not apply to your situation)
Surround sound wire
Ceiling sound deadening insulation
LAN to entertainment area(s) (while less and less necessary with so much wireless, it was still nice to have the option for smart devices, tv, dvd, sat boxes, etc and then no issues with connectivity)
Don't go cheap on lighting
 
'Clones Fan said:
For sure. Does a guy need to run 2x ethernet cords to the area where the receiver/game console, etc. are going to sit, or can 1 be split similar to cable?

Also, if I am going to have 3 TV's does 1 cable, split 2x provide enough cable?
Click to expand...

I ran two to each - that way I could use it for phone or internet. You also don't need to hook it up right away. Just run it through the box and leave yourself a foot of two to pull out as needed (recent personal experience of NOT doing this). For internet - you probably could use a little dumb switch if you needed to...

I used those little multi jacks from Pass Legrand - can get 3 connectors in each box - in any combo. I guess you could even get up to 6 - wow

http://www.legrand.us/onq/wall-plat...assic-wall-plates/wp3406-wh.aspx#.VMKEz_7F81I

Not sure on your TV setup. 3 in one spot? The only thing I'm relatively sure of is that the more you split further down the line, the weaker the signal is likely to become. But I'm not sure that's as much of an issue with digital signals nowadays.
 
For entertainment purposes, make sure you have planty of options where you run your coax, speaker cable, ethernet, etc. in case you want to alter the arrangement down the road. Make sure you have the correct coax setup if you have or ever want to go to dish. There is nothing worse than finishing an area and having visible cables strung everywhere.

Make sure you think of what you might want to do down the road, not just now. Keep resale in mind! Even if you plan on living there forever, things can change.
 
Heated flooring...unless you're going with carpet.

Wireless technologies are really taking over and making pre wiring not as important. I would pay more for a wireless device then try to run ethernet down there. Even coax for cable is going by the wayside with wireless boxes from Dish.

DO make sure you have enough circuits wired for it. Don't allow them to daisy chain off existing circuits for other areas off your house. I still have one outlet (previous owner installed) that trips the breaker if I runt he vacuum off of it. Yes, I always forget and use that outlet.
 
'Clones Fan said:
In the whole basement? The place I got my materials was pushing a soundboard.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what you are doing down there. If you are having a discrete room as a home theatre you could just do that room. You can spend as little or as much as you want on insulation. Fiberglas will give you some sound insulation but not as much as an insulation specifically designed for sound attenuation. Don't use styrofoam - it is a very poor sound insulator.
 
Multiple lighting options. I wish I would have done this. Put in dimmers if you can and 2 - 3 different light sources. It won't always be your "movie room" so give yourself some options on how you want it lit at any certain period.
 
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