Basement renovations and remodels

When a basement needs a reno

• Dark wood panelling, low lighting and a dated layout
• Old carpet that smells musty, especially in summer
• Ceiling tiles that are stained, sagging or full of patches
• Walls that were never insulated, so the room is always cold
• You want different rooms: an office, a bedroom, a bathroom or a suite

What a renovation can involve

Some renos are mostly cosmetic: new flooring, paint, trim and lighting. Others take the space back to the studs to fix insulation, move walls and add a bathroom or wet bar. A contractor looks at what's there and tells you what can stay and what should go.

Older homes: a few things to check

Many homes in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and the older parts of Oxford County's towns were built decades ago. Basements in older homes can hide things worth knowing about before work starts:

• Moisture. A musty smell usually means damp somewhere. It gets traced and fixed before new finishes go in.
• Old materials. Some older ceiling tiles, floor tiles, plaster and pipe insulation can contain asbestos. If there's any doubt, they get tested before they're disturbed.
• Old wiring. Basement wiring added over the years by previous owners isn't always up to code. A reno is the right time to sort it out.

Starting from bare concrete instead?

If your basement has never been finished, see basement finishing.