Hello Everyone We are currently getting bids on having our basement finished. One area of concern is installing a walkout from our basement. The basement is about 7ft underground. It is a solid poured foundation. We are trying to replace the small window with a door and steps leading to ground level. We are getting mixed reviews on having this done. One person said he would have to build a temporary wall for support until the door was complete and then knock the wall down. The other said the window is not giving the wall any support right now so a temporary wall would not be needed. We don't want to mess with the structural integrity of the house. We are not required to have the walkout. We liked the convenience and safety of it. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Also how difficult is it to sub the work out yourself and be your own GC. We thought if it was less expensive we could hire each person ourselves. What kind of problems could we incur my doing it that way. Thanks Patty

I have a small basement (house is 24 x36) and want to finish half of my walk-out basement. The back wall is half foundation and half frame. The other three walls are cement foundation. Right now I can't afford to finish it. But I do have my computer down here in the summer because it is cooler. My question is -- would painting the cement walls be an option that would work? I am thinking that would cut down the dust and provide a thin layer of insulation while not requiring a permit or anything (which i assume is expensive). pros and cons of doing that? Also, would it be a violation to use 4x8 paneling to creat a ceiling (the insulation above the walls either has no vapor barrier or it is turned toward the outside of the house and I'd like to cut down on the fibers being able to become airborne. Would using cardboard create a fire hazard? how about plastic? Any cheap barebones techniques or advice would be appreciated. I know trying to do things on the cheap usually doesn't pay off, but for now I need any tips to hold me over before I fund a real finish (I recently underwent a layoff). One other question. I heard from a neighbor that the person I bought the house from let the foundation sit for a while before he finally had the house built. The house is 8 years old. The metal support I-Beam has two support poles. The I-Beam itself has a rust-line where the top and bottom of the "I" join with the larger (vertical) portion of the "I". Is that a problem and should I paint it? Thanks for your time.