We have a rancher with a basement. The basement has gravel down and we are going to try and finish the basement ourselves but don't have a clue on what to do first, second or last. We went to Lowes and found do-it-yourself books but we would like another opinion before we start. Should we start the insulation or have the concrete poured first? Then what? Someone please give us some ideas, we have 1500 sq ft in the basement. What we want is a bonus room, bathroom, bedroom and laundry room. We also need stairs cut out. We would like to begin this project the beginning of 2002. We plan on hiring someone to do the stairs, electrical, plumbing and concrete and doing the rest ourselves. Could someone give us ideas on what do 1st and everything after that? This is our first time doing something like this and would like to take our time and do it right.

 

First solve any moisture problems. Then do a complete design and get your building permit approved. Then provide for proper egress (you may need to enlarge the bedroom window). Then test for radon and mitigate if necessary. Then make sure you get the bathroom and laundry drain lines in place. Then you can pour the floor. Then do your stairs. Then comes, in this order: reroute any low hanging ducts or pipes in your way, frame the walls, do heating ducting, frame the soffits, do the plumbing rough-in, do the elctrical roughin, get the rough inspection, insulate, install vapor barrier, hang and tape drywall, paint walls and ceiling, finish the electrical work (receptacles, switches, lights), hang doors, install trim, finish out the bathroom, and install flooring.

Have fun.