Currently we have a little over 1100 square feet of unfinished basement. I didn't realize how much space that was until I realized my first apartment was only 717 sq ft and the first house L and I purchased was only about 1400. Then I realized that we have a ton of space that not only isn't being used...but that when put in use could literally make this our dream home.

Right now the only thing that the space is used for is laundry and a small amount of storage. There is a corner in the space that was being used as some kind of workshop that has several old solid wood doors and some of the original storm windows being stored in it. Other than that it's just dead space.

Here are the current photos.

This photo shows the basement if you have just come down the stairs. I took this photo looking from the back of the house forward. At the front of the house you can see where the area under the sunroom has been sectioned off into an enclosed workroom. The area I was standing in while taking the photo will eventually become the media room.


This is inside the workroom. It is underneath the sunroom and is the perfect size space to put a wet bar. We will tear down the existing walls and have plumbing put in for a sink.



This is the current view looking back towards the back of the house from just outside the existing workroom. This long area will eventually become a game room with a media room at the end. On the right side of the photo you can see the furnace. It, the chimney and the water heater will all wind up inside a storage closet that can be accessed throught the laundry room.


This is the other side of the basement. This photo was taken from the front of the house looking back. In this photo you have a better view of the furnace, chimney and water heater. You can also see into the current "laundry room". The area I am standing in while taking the photo will eventually become a playroom for the Whohead!


This shows the laundry room as it is currently. We will be enclosing it and I am hoping to be able to move the washer and dryer together. Currently the washer sits next to the sink so that it can drain in to it and the dryer sits under the window (across the room) so it can vent. You can imaging how lovely it is to move wet clothes from one to the other.


This is what we are hoping the renovation will allow us to do. We will be adding a 1/2 bath that will be accessible from both the kids playroom and the bar area. I am also hoping to get a pantry underneath the stairs that lead from the back door to the main floor. Also...after seeing the post about under stair storage from HIP I was thinking that adding drawers in the laundry room that utilize the space under the stairs leading from the back door to the basement might be a good idea as well.

Anyway...that should give you all an idea of what I'm asking for an estimate on. The good news it that the contractor that was scheduled to show up yesterday not only came...but he was on time! TO THE MINUTE! He even brought his brother (a plumber) so that he could take a look at the existing plumbing and give me an accurate estimate. I should hear back from him in a week or so. Keep your fingers crossed. I would love to write good things about a family owned company. I know several people have either left comments or sent e-mails asking for more info on the contractor. I won't post his information or make a recommendation until we are actually done with the job.