Need Extra Space? Consider Your Basement!
A year into the coronavirus pandemic, “pivot” has become a ubiquitous part of the vernacular as we’ve all been forced to rethink how we work, learn, and spend our free time. One thing has become crystal clear: This reimagined world requires more space.
What better way to find it than by remodeling your basement?
In recent months, Mike Werbowski, owner of Total Basement Finishing of Western NY, has seen an uptick in requests from homeowners who want to do just that. “People who used to be working outside the home 50 to 60 hours a week are now working from home,” he said. “They’re looking for more workspace and play areas for the kids.”
A sharp increase in housing prices over the past few years has also resulted in more people choosing to expand space within their existing home, he said, rather than purchase a new house. And it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run. According to Remodeling magazine, homeowners should expect to recoup 70 percent of what they spend on a midrange basement remodel.
Trends for 2021, according to the website of Kitchen and Bath Shop, include adding built-in desks, creating fitness areas, and installing bars, kitchenettes, and bathrooms to the basement. Werbowski is seeing such trends play out locally, especially requests for full bathrooms and kitchenettes underground. “People typically hate to sacrifice living space upstairs if they want an extra bathroom,” he said.
When Werbowski meets with clients, he usually advises them to only refinish about half of the basement and reserve the rest for storage. “I ask them what their favorite room is upstairs and then think about making the living space in the basement about that size,” he said, adding that people can get creative with basement reconfigurations. “We’ve done everything from home gyms to theater rooms to golf simulation rooms.”
For all his basement remodels, Werbowski uses synthetic materials, which are mold and mildew-resistant. “Organic materials, such as wood, cotton, and paper, that are fine for above-grade spaces are unsuitable for basement environments,” he said. “We use fiber concrete boards instead of drywall and vinyl flooring. Plastics have come a long way, too. There is beautiful flooring made from vinyl and plastic that will stay dry and last forever.”
His basement work, he said, focuses on putting in the right materials and making a comfortable living space. “When we’re sitting down talking to homeowners, we want them to think about how they’ll use the new space,” he said. “We want to make sure it’s something they will use for a long time.”