Living Through a Basement Project

What to expect

A basement project is easier to live with than a kitchen or main-floor remodel because the work happens below the living space. Still, expect:

• Crews coming and goingUsually through the front, garage or a walkout door, along a protected path.
• NoiseSaws, nailers and drilling, especially during framing, egress cutting and drywall.
• DustMostly during demolition, egress cutting and drywall sanding.
• Short utility shutoffsWhen plumbing, electrical or HVAC ties into existing systems.
• Inspection daysSomeone may need to be home to let the inspector in.

Before work starts

• Clear the basement of stored items, or agree on what stays and where.
• Agree on the access route and how floors and walls along it will be protected.
• Plan for pets and kids, including keeping them away from the work area and open window wells.
• Ask about working hours, lockup, and where materials and the dumpster go.
• Sort out parking for crews and deliveries.

Dust and air

Ask how dust will be controlled: sealing the stair opening or door, protecting the route in, and using filters or air scrubbers during dusty phases. Basements often share the furnace with the rest of the house, so change the furnace filter during and after the project and ask whether returns in the basement should be covered during drywall sanding.

Noise and schedules

Noisy phases come in bursts: demolition in a remodel, egress cutting, framing and drywall. If someone works from home or a baby naps during the day, ask for a rough schedule of the loudest days so you can plan around them.

Utilities

Expect brief water, power or heating interruptions when new work connects to existing systems. Ask for advance notice. In winter, heating interruptions should be short and planned.

Safety

• Keep children out of the work area. Tools, open stairs and new egress excavations are hazards.
• Make sure open window well excavations are protected.
• Know where the main water shutoff and electrical panel are, and keep access to them.
• Keep existing smoke and CO alarms working throughout.

Weather and the season

Interior basement work isn't very weather-dependent, but egress window excavation and walkout work are. Wet or frozen ground can delay digging, and open excavations need protection. If your project includes new egress windows or a walkout, ask how the schedule handles weather.

Keeping the household running

• Move laundry or other daily tasks out of the basement if the work area includes them.
• Plan where stored items will live during the project.
• Keep a clear path to the electrical panel and water shutoff.
• Tell neighbors about deliveries and dumpster placement if they're affected.

Communication

Agree on who your point of contact is, how changes are approved, and how you'll hear about inspection dates and shutoffs. Changes during construction affect cost and time, so decide as much as possible up front. See what to decide before construction and the timeline guide.

At the end

After the final inspection, walk the space with the contractor, test lights, outlets, alarms, doors and fixtures, and note anything to finish. Then retest for radon on the newly used level, as Utah DEQ recommends when you start using a basement. See radon in Utah basements.

Common questions