Basement Remodelling

[Firehawk]

I have recently begun a full remodel of my basement. It is my first time really building anything of this magnitude. When I bought my home, some hacks 'sorta' finished the basement. They had crappy tile on the floor, glued wood paneling directly to the block wall, and drywalled the ceiling, including drywalling all of the valves and such (not smart).

I tore all of it out and am starting fresh. There's just something about working with my hands that is one of my true joys in life. I don't have much experience doing things like this, but I love learning it as I go and I love the satisfaction of knowing that I built something, and it makes me feel good when others see what I have done and say "wow, you did that?"

Does anyone else enjoy something like this?

I'm about 1/4 the way done building my stud walls (big basement), will be running electrical, insulation, drywalling, then drop ceiling and carpet to follow. I can't wait to get it done. I have a nice 7' pool table that needs to go down there (right now it's in my family room), 3 pinball machines, a big screen TV, and probably my computer.

[.V.]

I hate it. I grew up in a family that started with construction before expanding to add the motel, trucking, and heavy equipment companies but kept right on with the construction. I learned carpentry, masonry (bricks, blocks, and rock work) starting from age 12. Guess why I work in emergency medicine and teach?

But...ENJOY.

[Firehawk]

LOL. I didn't have anyone to teach me when I was young but I've always wanted to learn. I always kind of lament the fact that I didnt' have somenoe aroudn to teach me stuff like construction.

[EliteLift]

I recently finished 100.000$ worth of renos to my familys house. we did all kinds of stuff. I knocked out supporting walls and added beams, reframed entire rooms, reinsalated 75% of the house ( i personally did not do any electric work) redrywaled most of the house, new roofing, new sundeck, new sidding, completely landscaped the yard and driveway, pored cement walkways for a yet to be built car port.

my family started this project about 2 years ago. to keep building costs down me and my brother in law did most of the wrok on are own time. were basicly done with the reno's with the exeption of a few minor things, and in the end i'm really glad we did them, I have learned so much in the process.

[F_Mac]

I'm in the same boat as you Dave. I enjoy learning it but have not had any formal training.

I haven't done much to our house so far with the exception of installing hardwood and tile flooring and re-doing all the baseboards. I'll probably be taking a shot at installing a bathroom in the basement this winter.

Around here labour is soooooooo expensive (or just not available) that you are forced to become a "do-it-yourself" person.

On a side note, no workout I have ever done in my entire life has made me as sore as installing hardwood flooring.............not even close. lol.

[Dan C]

I'm actually in the process of remodeling my bathroom. The toilet had been leaking for a while and when I went to replace the wax ring I found mold everywhere. Stretched back to the wall, up the baseboard and around the shower. I tore everything out... shower, toilet, fixtures, walls and even the ceiling.

I've never done any construction, carpentry, etc, either; but I can work a sledge hammer pretty good. A friend has been helping me put it all back together, and we're actually installing a custom steam shower. I'm at the point now where I'm ready to buy tile and start painting.

It's definitely gratifying seeing a project come together.