How to Build a Basement Room in 6 Steps

basement room with exercise machine and table
  • 250-350 hours
  • Advanced
  • 5,000-15,000
What You'll Need
Framing lumber
Skill saw
Power drill
Tape measure
Level
Nail gun
Concrete nails
Wiring boxes
Romex cable
Outlet fixtures
Wire cutters
Metal ducting
Fresh air vents
Sheetrock
Sheetrock tape and putty
Utility knife
Paint
Carpet
Necessary permits
Safety goggles
Work gloves
What You'll Need
Framing lumber
Skill saw
Power drill
Tape measure
Level
Nail gun
Concrete nails
Wiring boxes
Romex cable
Outlet fixtures
Wire cutters
Metal ducting
Fresh air vents
Sheetrock
Sheetrock tape and putty
Utility knife
Paint
Carpet
Necessary permits
Safety goggles
Work gloves

If you intend to build a basement room in order to subdivide the available space, be sure to carefully lay your plans before you begin. A well thought-out remodeling project will cause you less grief from unforeseen hang-ups.

Assuming the basement is already cemented, building the extra room has several specific components. These include framing the walls, wiring the electricity, installing the heating, hanging the drywall, painting the walls, and laying the flooring. Follow these steps to successfully build a basement room.

Step 1 - Sketch

Design a layout for the room. Take exact measurements as to where the room will be constructed. Include the windows which are already in place so that it will receive some natural light. You will be running a cable from the breaker box as well as extending the ductwork from the furnace into this room, so design the room with this in mind. For extra safety, consult an electrician and plumber during this stage.

Step 2 - Frame

framed in room

To frame the walls, locate the ceiling joists or floor joists for the floor above. The three parts of a wall frame are the top plate, bottom plate, and studs. The top plate will be nailed to the ceiling joists using the nail gun. The bottom plate will be affixed to the concrete using concrete nails. The studs are 16-inches apart on center. The top and bottom plates will be directly on top of one another while the studs will run vertically between them. Use 2x4-inch lumber for the wall frames. Use only the straightest pieces. Frame the door into one of the walls.

Step 3 - Wire

With the Romex cable, wiring boxes, and outlet fixtures, wire the room for electricity. Run the Romex from the main circuit breaker panel to the room. Put all of the outlets on to one circuit. Nail the plastic wiring boxes to the side of the studs. Drill holes in the vertical studs so the wire can be run through the walls. After you wire the first box, run more cable to the next outlet and so on.

Step 4 - Heating Ducts

Splice into the main duct at a convenient location and run an extension of metal ductwork into the framed wall. When the ductwork is in place, support it in the wall by nailing blocks onto the studs. Include return air vents for ventilation. Consult the code requirements for heating a room for the exact specifications.

Step 5 - Sheetrock and Paint

room with sheetrock and mud

Once the room is framed, wired, and heated, it’s time to put up the walls’ exterior. Purchase enough 0.5-inch sheetrock to finish the whole room. Measure it exactly and use a utility knife to make the appropriate holes in the sheetrock. Attach it to the studs and plates with sheetrock screws. Use sheetrock tape and putty to seal the gaps all around the room. When the drywall is complete, paint the room any way you choose.

Step 6 - Floorcovering and Decor

The last thing to do is carpet the room or install the type of flooring you desire. After that is complete, the room is ready to use, provided all of the systems work and that no adjustments are required.

This is a simplified outline of the process since each step requires multiple substeps. Be sure to allow plenty of time for each step an acquire the proper permits as you advance through the project.