By Gene and Katie Hamilton

To get a good bang for your buck tap the potential of an unused or barely used basement. Compared with building an addition a basement already has a ceiling, walls and floor and is often partially heated. Granted that ceiling may be unfinished, and the walls and floors may be cement, but there’s a basic shell of an enclosed space just waiting to be put to better use as a family room, home office or living space.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Evaluating a Basement's Potential
• Basics of a Basement Remodel
• Basement Worksheet

BASICS OF THE BASEMENT

• Cost to Hang a Suspended Ceiling
• Cost to Install Wallboard
• Cost to Install Glueless Floor Tiles

DECORATING SOLUTIONS DOWN UNDER

• Cost to Cover Basement Columns
• Cost to Cover Up a Suspended Ceiling Grid
• Cost to Paint Concrete Block Walls

OUTSIDE OPENINGS

• Cost to Cover a Basement Window Well
• Cost to Replace a Cellar Door