Finish a basement
Turning a basement into living space: keep the water out, make the air safe, get the ceiling height and the escape window right, then finish with materials that tolerate a below-grade room.
Before the foundation
Footings, slab and everything under it: drains, pipes, radon and sump. Once the concrete is poured, these are the hardest to change.
Before framing
Room sizes, openings, stairs, ceiling heights and anything structural. Cheap on paper, expensive once the walls are up.
Before drywall
Blocking, insulation, fire blocking and anything else that lives inside the walls.
Before tile + floors
Waterproofing, backer board and floor prep that go under the finish you see.
Throughout the job
Choices and checks that aren’t tied to one stage. Settle them early, or check them as the work goes.
Guard height
- 36″ at landings and floors
- 34″ along the stair
- where the drop is over 30″
Kitchen, Bathroom and Stairs are open to everyone. The rest are in the full fieldbook.
Get the full fieldbook