How Long Does It Take to Finish a Basement in Des Moines, Iowa?

When your home feels too cramped, finishing the lower level of your home gives you space to expand. Your Des Moines home remodeler can help you turn your basement into the perfect home theater, family room, bar, hobby room or bedroom. Have you been wondering how long your basement will be under construction? Take a look at our estimated timeline.

What Is the Average Length of a Basement Finishing Project?

Homeowners surveyed by Home Advisor reported that basement renovations took an average of 7.5 weeks. Of course, all renovations are unique. The actual length of your basement remodel could range from just a few weeks to several months. Completion dates vary depending on several factors, including:

⦁ Project Complexity: Do you want to add a small laundry room to the basement or convert the entire lower level into the ultimate home theater, gym and guest suite combination? Larger, more complex projects take longer to complete. Electrical and plumbing work, adding windows, laying floors, and constructing or moving walls adds to the timeline.

⦁ Pre-Finishing Work Needed: Your basement finish contractor may need to do a little work to your basement before work can begin, such as repairing cracked walls or floors or correcting moisture issues. These projects may extend your project by a few days to several weeks.

⦁ Materials: Your project may take longer if the materials used in the design must be special ordered or require fabrication or installation from skilled craftsmen. For example, windows are custom-made to fit the dimensions of the openings. Production of the windows could take a week or two or several months. In most cases, your remodeler will place special orders at the beginning of the project to prevent delays.

⦁ Work Force: How many people will work on your basement? The fewer people working, the longer the basement finishing project may take.

⦁ Scheduling: Subcontractors may not always be available exactly when their services are needed.

⦁ Change Orders: Change orders are issued if you decide to change some aspect of the project after construction has already begun. As change orders can increase the cost of your basement remodel and extend the timeline, it’s a good idea to thoroughly consider the features and amenities you want before you sign the contract.

⦁ Bad Weather: Snowstorms, hurricanes, tornados or flooding can delay materials or make it impossible for the work crew to reach your home for a day or more.

Steps to Finishing a Basement

Your basement finishing project in Des Moines is likely to involve the following steps. Here's a look at what tends to be involved with a basement remodel, including the average time for each.

⦁ Your contractor will start the project by erecting wooden frames that will serve as the foundation for the finished walls. [1–5 Days]

⦁ Plumbing and electrical work begins once the walls are framed. [3–7 Days]

⦁ Building inspection takes place. (Although inspections don’t take long, you may need to wait a while until the inspector has time in his or schedule to visit your home.) [1 Day]

⦁ Once you’ve received approval from the building inspector, drywall installation can begin. [2–5 Days]

⦁ The length of time to tape, mud and sand drywall depends on the number of rooms and walls in your finished basement. [1–7 Days]

⦁ Adding doors to your basement space can be accomplished fairly quickly. [1–2 Days]

⦁ Once the drywall is ready, painting can finally begin. [1–5 Days]

⦁ Flooring Installation, one of the last steps, pulls together the finished spaces. [1–3 Days]

⦁ As soon as the floors are down, your contractors will begin installing trim, baseboards, light fixtures, toilets, sinks, bars and other features. [1–3 Days]

Basement finishing in Des Moines increases your enjoyment of your home and adds value to your property. Are you ready to remodel but haven’t found a remodeling company yet? Give us a call and let us know how we can help you with your project.