Basement Finishing Project Blueprint

1. Designing/Plan:
a. Ideas
i. Internet search
1. Google Images
2. Yahoo Images
ii. Magazines
b. Creating a working floor plan
i. Hire a designer
1. Hire a architect
2. Hire a contractor
ii. Design it yourself
1. Use Software
2. Hand draw it yourself

2. Framing:
a. Layout
i. Exterior walls
ii. Interior walls
iii. Half-walls
iv.
b. Wall Framing
i. Exterior walls
ii. Interior walls
iii. Half-walls
c. Soffits
i. Beams
ii. Duct work
d. Banding Ceilings
i. Pipes
1. Gas
2. Water
3. Drain
ii. Wiring
e. Build-Ins
i. Bookcases
ii. Entertainment Walls
iii. Niches/Shadow boxes

3. Mechanical:
a. Water control
i. Sump pump
ii. Water proofing
iii. Damp proofing
b. Electric
i. Rough-In Electric
1. Boxes (for switches/outlets etc,)
2. Wiring (to and from boxes)
ii. Finished Electric
c. Plumbing
i. Rough-In Plumbing
1. Gas lines
2. Water lines
3. Waste lines
4. Vent lines
ii. Finished Plumbing
1. Set fixtures (putting them in)
2. Accessories (putting them in)
4. Energy:
a. Heating System
i. Central
ii. Electric
b. Cooling System
i. Central A/C
c. Installation
i. Fiberglass Installation
ii. Fire-Blocking*

5. Drywall:
a. Hang Ceiling
i. Flat Ceilings
ii. Soffits
b. Hang Walls
i. Raptors
ii. Half-walls
c. Tape Walls & Ceilings
i. Inside Corner
ii. Butt Joints
iii. Tapered Joints
d. Cornerbeads
i. Metal cornerbeads
ii. Paper cornerbeads
e. Finish
i. First coat
ii. Second coat
iii. Final coat
f. Sanding
i. Hand sanding
ii. Pole sanding

6. Painting:
a. Prep work
b. Rolling walls & ceilings
c. Spray walls & ceilings
d. Cut-in work
e. Trim & doors

7. Trim:
a. Doors
b. Built-ins
c. Banisters & Railings
d. Windows
e. Crown molding & Chair railing
f. Base Trim

8. Accessories:
a. Door hardware
i. Door Stops
ii. Knobs
iii. Pocket Door Latches
b. Build-In Hardware
i. Clips/etc.
ii. Adjustable Rods
c. Closet Shelving
i. Wood shelving
ii. Metal shelving



9. Flooring:
a. Tile
b. Vinyl
i. Sheet
ii. Press-down Squares
c. Synthetic
i. Pergo Wood (never put hardwood in basements!)
d. Carpeting