• Always start your planning and designs from the last: placing the furniture. Consider every detail of space and shape in your basement, and don't forget to count that tiny, weird staircase which might not allow you to bring downstairs full-size furniture. Only after you make all floor marks and finalize all locations for your favorite spots, start planning your walls.

Finished basement can give your family a gift of extra living space you will appreciate for years. If properly built, it is cooler in summer and warmer in winter, which can give you a year round economical comfort. It can also accommodate many different special points of interest like prayer room, home office, library, crafts room, sauna, wine cellar, home theater, party zone, closet and storage organizer system, children playrooms, exercise room and many… many more. Whatever level of fantasy your dream might bring you to, I'll make it come true professionally in every single detail.

• Please remember: real walls will look and feel very different from your floor marks for structural design. So try to create any possible 3-D concept to help you visualizing real space and passages between walls and obstacles. 

• Keep in mind, that every separate purpose room has its minimum dimensions. Plan carefully and you will not become disappointed later. 
  

• Prior to final approval of your plans, consult your Realtor, who can guide you to best resale value options.

• Make it a family fun to define space sections purpose. Try to count everybody's interests including babies and frequently visiting relatives and friends. Don't leave behind your pets... they will be there with you too.   

• If you ever thinking of building an extra bedroom downstairs, place it the way it has at least one window. 

• Check temperature and moisture level in the basement over the winter and summer. Make notes if you need to improve the microclimate downstairs. Pay attention to exterior walls insulation and potential foundation defects to fix.

• If you are planning to have gas or wood fireplace in the basement, arrange installation prior to a renovation of the area and prepare detailed finishing design around the fireplace. Would be smart to arrange delivery and installation of the fireplace at the point of purchase. In that case, you will have full warranty coverage on a new appliance and installation from one source. 

• Plan your bathroom location as close as possible to existing drain rough-ins or to the main drain stack. It will optimize your costs. But design priorities are still up to you. A bathroom can be installed anywhere in the basement. Avoid having a window in a basement bathroom: windows are essential in the living space. Remember, plumbing additions and relocations require a building permit.

• Lower sections of the basement still can be utilized. They are good for storage. In the bathroom, they can be used for toilet and for soaker tub sections, you can think of a Jacuzzi. With certain restrictions, they can accommodate a medium size sauna.

• Preparing a plan for plumbing rough-ins do not forget about your needs in fridge water lines, supplies for dishwashers and laundry, outside valves and other because you will have a very limited or no access at all after the renovation. Mark all the plumbing, electrical and vent points which require permanent access to it.

• I do understand that your choice of a right Contractor is very important and the process of selection is hard and sometimes confusing, but remember – this is your home, and you must find someone who would respect it, someone you can trust completely, or... keep searching. Just imagine you chose a wrong doctor when you got very sick, or you hired an incompetent lawyer to represent you in court... So, never compromise on quality and don't save on your own peace of mind.
  

• When arranging estimates, try at least 3 contractors to have an opportunity to compare. 
• Never compare "apples to oranges". Estimate one and same project only! If you will get a better suggestion or advice to improve your plans, take a consideration of it, but still estimate the original design. Only after meeting with at least 3 contractors, choose the one you like more and proceed to discuss changes and adjustments with him.
• Do not expect much asking for references. Think, who's going to give you a bad reference?
• Just listen every Contractor with your open mind and choose with your open heart.
• Meet many - go only with someone you can trust.
• After you made your choice, get every detail of the project in writing! Just remember, nobody's perfect, neither Contractor nor you... be patient, but don't go too far if you experience problems... always easier to do things right in a first place than re-do them. I always say, who try to save twice will pay triple. So be reasonable and smart. Good luck and God bless you!
  

• Never forget: "a man shall not live by bread alone"