New unfinished basement - $30K fair or no?

[ShootingBlanks]

Hello -

I'm looking into buying a new place. I'd like to get one with an unfinished basement to turn into a dedicated theater room. Going totally from nothing but an empty basement (no A/V equipment, no building materials), is $30k enough to make this happen? I'm looking for front projection, a 10' screen, and six decent recliner seats.

I should clarify...I'm sure $30k is "enough". I mean, there's so many varying levels of quality. But how decent of a room/setup could I get for that cost?

Thanks!

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by ShootingBlanks

Hello -

I'm looking into buying a new place. I'd like to get one with an unfinished basement to turn into a dedicated theater room. Going totally from nothing but an empty basement (no A/V equipment, no building materials), is $30k enough to make this happen? I'm looking for front projection, a 10' screen, and six decent recliner seats.

I should clarify...I'm sure $30k is "enough". I mean, there's so many varying levels of quality. But how decent of a room/setup could I get for that cost?

Thanks!

Depending on the square footage, I can see the $30K going just for the finishing of the basement. I am assuming you will not do the work yourself and it would require electrical work, heating and possibly plumbing work. If you will do it yourself, then maybe the $30K is doable. I would go to a Home Depot and start tallying the cost of drywall, inulation, 2X4's, etc. to get a better idea. My opinion.

[Fors*]

Also, make sure it is water proof. We had to have ours water-proofed before it was finished and that cost us $10,000 alone!

[ShootingBlanks]

Originally Posted by vega2K

I am assuming you will not do the work yourself and it would require electrical work, heating and possibly plumbing work.

Your assumption is half-correct. I should have provided this info in my original post...I have two very good resources who are friends. One of them does general home construction, and the other one does professional audio installation and calibration for high-end home theaters. I was planning on paying my construction friend for his time and helping him out as well on whatever work I could do without screwing it up (so, that would still cost me money but be cheaper than paying a stranger). And I also plan on paying my audio friend for his help (but he gets huge discounts on a/v equipment, which could save me some bucks)...

...So, that being said, is $30k reasonable?

[Grand Bob]

It all depends "who" does the finishing. If you are hiring contractors, do thorough - and I mean thorough - research to find trustworthy contractors with a proven track record. I had not learned that lesson from the previous three remodels on our house and last year I watched $44,000 walk out the door without any work being done. I had to borrow that amount out of my retirement fund to finish the job.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by ShootingBlanks

Your assumption is half-correct. I should have provided this info in my original post...I have two very good resources who are friends. One of them does general home construction, and the other one does professional audio installation and calibration for high-end home theaters. I was planning on paying my construction friend for his time and helping him out as well on whatever work I could do without screwing it up (so, that would still cost me money but be cheaper than paying a stranger). And I also plan on paying my audio friend for his help (but he gets huge discounts on a/v equipment, which could save me some bucks)...

...So, that being said, is $30k reasonable?

So have you asked for an estimate from your friends? If you tell me the approximate square footage, I can pose the question to a general contractor I have used so that we can get a better answer (or further questions) from someone who knows.

[Al Bundy]

My buddy just finished his basement. He did it himself, and it was just a standard build. Open space, small kitchen, one full bath. It cost him around 20k (Canadian). Square Footage your looking around 700-800. You might be a little short, or the might not be able to get the equipment all at once.

[BluLobsta]

Personally, I would get a Panny TH-85PF12U and sit on milk crates...but if you decide to go the good-judgment route , just the sheer nature of the value of $30000 means very high quality, whatever you spend it on...

[ShootingBlanks]

Originally Posted by vega2K

So have you asked for an estimate from your friends?

Not formally. I've asked if they'd be willing to help on this theoretical project, and they both said they'd be on-board.

Originally Posted by vega2K

If you tell me the approximate square footage, I can pose the question to a general contractor I have used so that we can get a better answer (or further questions) from someone who knows.

Since I don't have the place yet, I'm not sure. But nothing too monster-sized. I'd guess between 600-800, maybe.

Thanks, everyone!

[kingofgrills]

It's definitely possible to finish out a basement into a home theater room for $30k. However, it all depends on what you want to do specifically. There's countless questions that must be answered first including:

Will there be any plumbing for a bathroom or wet bar?

Are you wanting just finished and walls with minimal trim, or do you want the built out sconces and pillars seen in some home theater rooms?

Get a gameplan and design down that you want, including equipment, and start bidding it out with your friends and other qualified contractors. As long as you plan accordingly, and realistically, you should be able to complete the room for $30k.

[ShootingBlanks]

Yeah - it's all kind of up in the air. Here's what I can safely say so far, in regards to you questions...

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Will there be any plumbing for a bathroom or wet bar?

I wouldn't plan for a bathroom down there, but (funds permitting) it's a possibility. If it's not in budget, I could do without.

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Are you wanting just finished and walls with minimal trim, or do you want the built out sconces and pillars seen in some home theater rooms?

Like above, I'd be fine with minimal decor outside of some framed posters and wall uplights. If I had extra money to spend when it comes down to it, I'd prefer to spend it on equipment over aesthetics, I think.

On a related note, what's the best way to approach this...plan/build the room and then buy equipment to fit it, or plan/buy equipment and then build the room around it? The former sounds like a better option only because if you buy the stuff and then spend 6-months constructing everything, a lot can happen in 6-months in the way of technology. Or, if you're like me who would prefer to take all "extra money" in budget and put it towards equipment, then you'll at least know what you can buy if you save "equipment purchasing" for last. Although I could also see how the downside to that would be that it all might not integrate into the flow of the room as well...

...I dunno - thoughts?

[Blu-Benny]

IDK....$30k sounds like a lot to me.....but it all depends on what u want, who's gonna do it, and what kind of supplies u're gonna be using....ie: flooring.

i'm hoping to start finishing my basement this winter and work through next year sometime and figure putting up studs for walls should cost me less than $1000 total...not counting drywall.

the total area for me is about 450 sq. ft. and i have nothing just like u.

so i'll have walls, drywall, some electric work, a suspended ceiling, and some kind of flooring.....but i'm not counting any equip. into my final cost and i plan on doing everything myself.

good luck w/whatever you decide to do.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by ShootingBlanks

Yeah - it's all kind of up in the air. Here's what I can safely say so far, in regards to you questions...



I wouldn't plan for a bathroom down there, but (funds permitting) it's a possibility. If it's not in budget, I could do without.



Like above, I'd be fine with minimal decor outside of some framed posters and wall uplights. If I had extra money to spend when it comes down to it, I'd prefer to spend it on equipment over aesthetics, I think.

On a related note, what's the best way to approach this...plan/build the room and then buy equipment to fit it, or plan/buy equipment and then build the room around it? The former sounds like a better option only because if you buy the stuff and then spend 6-months constructing everything, a lot can happen in 6-months in the way of technology. Or, if you're like me who would prefer to take all "extra money" in budget and put it towards equipment, then you'll at least know what you can buy if you save "equipment purchasing" for last. Although I could also see how the downside to that would be that it all might not integrate into the flow of the room as well...

...I dunno - thoughts?

Don't buy the equipment first. However, you should design and build the room knowing what types of components you want and the layout they'll have in the room. You'll need to know exactly where you want to locate gear in the room, so you can have the proper electrical and low voltage wire runs built in. That includes power and HDMI for the projector, as well as runs for speakers, sub, satellite, cable, internet, and anything else. Also, if you are planning for a projector, you should figure out the screen size you want, and map out the proper throw distance for the projector install spot.

The key at this stage is wiring and layout.

[Twitch9]

I'm in the proccess of finishing my basement, it's a small room around 250sf, the final total will be around $3500 doing all the work myself. Depending on the size i would say $30k would be more than enough.

[DougMac]

I think the huge variable is how much work you're willing and capable of doing. Having someone do framing, drywall, electrical and plumbing can get expensive fast. If you go DIY, make sure you know the appropriate codes. If you sell down the road, you don't want to get whacked by the inspector.

We have a daylight basement. When we built, we left the inside half (the part in the hill) unfinished. It was roughed in for plumbing and some basic electricity. Last year, six years after building, I finished that half, appoximately 1200 sq ft. I constructed two utility rooms, one at each end, two storage rooms, the bigger being 10x12, a kitchen (~8x10) and a home theater, 16x20 plus a small display area on the left that's 6x10.

I started with bare slab floor and poured concrete walls. I drywalled (after framing everything) all but the HT and kitchen. I wanted help with the "nice" areas, especially since I was planning on painting the screen directly on the drywall (which worked out great). I got two estimates. One was for a turnkey job, the other was to hire in someone for me to assist. The first estimate, just for the drywall, was $4200. The guy I hired to assist did all the drywall, installed the suspended ceiling in both rooms, plus did some re-taping upstairs in our great room. He charged me $1500 and I bought the materials. We ended up hanging 38 sheets of 4x12 drywall.

If you're patient and ingenious, you can save a lot. I bought practically new kitchen cabinets from a business that closed. I bought Kraftmaid cabinets, counter tops and all plumbing for $400. I had to recut the counter tops, but they worked! I ended up spending far south of half of what you're budgeting, including all electronics, but I spent many weeknights and almost every weekend for 7 months working on the project and did almost everything myself.

[jibucha]

Hello

It's the proper planing that matters; cost is close whether done right or wrong.

Room Construction l Certainly, depending on just how good you really want it, mostly unwanted vibration of the structure from loud powerful bass, and noise isolation to adjoining rooms, for the comfort of all, allowing for late evening listening and viewing without waking others asleep, are considerations.

Room Design l Another basic consideration; proper room sizing for efficient use of your available amplification power, and best acoustics for sound in the room.

Future Proofing Your Wiring. l This would include accommodating for wiring changes over time, layout for any application, and equipment locations.

Budget l This is obviously important, but the focus should be on a proper room for the best experience and performance; if, of course, you want the best in picture quality and sound quality, without annoying either neighbors or other household individuals.

There are many ways, to build, well within your budget, without compromising a quality room; options such as good planing and self-construction, if you are either knowledgeable or capable of such work.

Just a few important thoughts in the planning stages before construction.

Thank You

[ShootingBlanks]

Thanks for all the advice/ideas, everyone. When this finally gets underway (probably Springtime next year), I'll be sure to start a thread from start-to-finish. And I'm sure I'll have tons more questions!...

Originally Posted by DougMac

I spent many weeknights and almost every weekend for 7 months working on the project and did almost everything myself.

Yeah - I plan on doing as much as I can myself. I work from home, so I'll have plenty of time to do what I can. I'm definitely not in a hurry, so patience isn't the problem. Nor is determination. I just need to figure out HOW to do it all!

[Hammie]

In addition to future proofing your wiring, make sure you allocate enough space for equipment growth. You don't want to short yourself from the ability to add a couple external amps down the road.

One thought on the wiring. If you can run PVC piping for your main wiring, this help help if/when you need to run additional or just upgrade your existing wiring.

[Beta Man]

If you haven't actually purchased the home yet, make sure you have the inspector check to see if it's PROPERLY waterproofed...... if not, you can probably add $10k for that aspect alone......

When thinking about going that route for our home, the estimate for waterproofing came in at $12k and was a deal breaker....... We were prepared to spend $10k just on digging the floor down an extra couple of feet, but for $20-$25k just to get the basement "prepped" for framing was way too much to make the project feasible.

[ShootingBlanks]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

If you haven't actually purchased the home yet, make sure you have the inspector check to see if it's PROPERLY waterproofed...... if not, you can probably add $10k for that aspect alone......

When thinking about going that route for our home, the estimate for waterproofing came in at $12k and was a deal breaker....... We were prepared to spend $10k just on digging the floor down an extra couple of feet, but for $20-$25k just to get the basement "prepped" for framing was way too much to make the project feasible.

Good advice. GREAT avatar.

Ack! Ack!

(My wife and I are still waiting on our phone call that was supposed to be included with our autographed pic)