Add Value To Your New Jersey Home With A Finished Basement

For New Jersey Homeowners, a finished basement can give your home's value a major boost. In fact, the National Association of Realtors estimates that finishing a basement returns 69 percent of your investment.

When you're ready to sell, your investment will pay off in both value and attractiveness to buyers. And in the meantime, you can enjoy added square footage in your home — just in time to host out-of-town guests for the holidays. Enlist the help of a professional contractor to hang drywall, add flooring, and encase exposed duct work or pipes. These basic steps can be completed in just a few days for a livable, usable space.

Depending on the size of your home and the extent of your renovations, a basement refinishing can cost anywhere between $6,500 and $18,500. Different from refinishing, remodeling is more intensive. It can include things like moving walls and adding plumbing and electrical lines.

Typically, done on an already-finished basement, remodels can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000. You might add a bathroom or divide your open basement into several living areas. Create an in-law apartment, install a theater room, designate your home office, or design a kid's craft area.

The options are endless, not to mention extremely attractive to buyers. Adding a bedroom and bathroom in your basement can tack thousands of dollars onto your home's value. Plus, basement remodels are much cheaper than a home addition.

When deciding on a schedule, be sure to pad a little time for your remodeling crew to work with sub-contractors and allow for materials to be ordered and delivered. All in, most projects can be done in as little as 45 days. Consult with a professional on HomeAdvisor now to have your basement apartment up and ready by the time extended family arrives for turkey dinner.

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