We are often being asked this wide open question. In our opinion basement finishing definitely adds value to your home, especially if you are adding an extra bedroom with a bathroom or other livable area.  We always make sure that our customer understands the importance of making new living space legal and assist with getting permits. When you finish your basement properly with permits only then it is considered living area, which will increase the square footage therefore the value of your home. 


Finishing a basement is generally rated as two to three times more cost efficient in adding space and value to your home than building an addition because it's a lot cheaper per square foot. Remodeling magazine ranks a basement remodel on a national average as effective in adding value as a major kitchen remodel

In this  buyer's market, homes have to be the best of the rest to sell.  Take a look at your around your neighborhood. Do those competitor's  homes have finished basements? Do they offer more square footage?  If the answers to these questions are yes we would recommend that you go ahead,  and finish your basement. Your home would then become more desirable and more in-line to what buyers today are looking for, buyers who really have a lot to choose from! 

        Whether you are remodeling your Bucks county basement or kitchen estimating cost and establishing a budget are essential to good planning. So the big question is - how to determine the cost of your future basement project? Average Bucks county basement project cost  between 10 and 35 dollars per square feet. Let's say an average basement is 1,000 square feet of finished space. So the cost of a basement is between $10,000 and $35,000.
         First of all you need to establish whether the renovation will be as simple as finishing walls and floors, or as complex as adding extra bedroom with bathroom and a fully functional bar or a kitchenette. The complexity of the project will certainly affect the cost. Another thing to consider is the resale value. Updating your home by converting your basement to a living area  will certainly increase the value of your property and make your home more attractive to a prospective buyer. For example, adding the bathroom is the most valuable improvement. According to annual surveys of building contractors and real estate agents adding new bathroom can recoup more than 90% of the cost of construction. 
         Next obtain few estimates from reputable contractors. When you compare the price make sure that the same items included in the job scope and similar quality material is quoted. Otherwise you can end up with unexpected change orders. 
        .Your estimate should include: framing, insulation, mechanicals (heating, air-conditioner ducts, electrical, plumbing), drywall, finish carpentry (doors, trims, etc), paint, stain, floors, finishing up (everything that makes your basement ready to for use (light fixture, outlets, etc).

Adding a bathroom to your house is always a good investment. When you transform your unfinished basement into additional living space having a bathroom becomes essential unless you want to run upstairs every time when the nature calls.  Our clients often question if it is possible to install a below ground bathroom while finishing the basement. The biggest question is plumbing...  Transporting waste to sewer run can be challenging because of the simple reason-gravity.  Hopefully your basement is located above sewer level. In this case the bathroom plumbing is installed the same way as if it was your main floor or upstairs bathroom. Otherwise sewer ejector  or up-flushing system is available on the market. The first option consists of a  beneath the toilet container that functions as a septic tank. The second option is designed to push used water up to the main sewer line through various tubes. With our professional help you will not be left without an extra bathroom in the basement. 

     Whether your Bucks County house is older or newer your basement walls might be cracked or bowed. The common reason behind it is soil movement and settling around the foundation which exerts pressure even on the sturdiest basement walls. While minor cracks do not threaten the integrity of the structure, they indicate drainage problem around the house. Therefore cracks are often the biggest source of the moisture problems in the basements. 
     When cracking of the walls and severity of the issue is established at our initial consultation we strongly suggest fixing the drainage problem around the perimeter of the house before repairing the cracks.This should relieve the pressure and prevent further cracking.  Otherwise the problem can reoccur. Only after the proper drainage system was designed we can proceed fixing the problem.