New Basement Apartment for us:

This is a lil long but I need advice! OK, so Vinny and I are feeling a little overwhelmed. The house my IL's are moving into is beautiful - in Smithtown and in a very nice development. The only thing is, it does need some updating in terms of minor things inside (fixtures, wallpaper). I mean, that's their business as to what they want to do.

For us, we are in the finished basement. This is where I start to get overwhelmed lol. It needs some updating - well, the carpets are the biggest problem. They are older and hold a lot of odor. When all of you moved into your houses, apartments, condos, etc. HOW did you prioritize what to do first and how to go about it?

I want to put laminate flooring in and rip the carpet out ASAP as my allergies are flipping out. Then, painting really needs to be done because the paint colors now are awful. My biggest concern is the bathroom - it is not big enough as my husband has a hard time turning around in it and we literally CANNOT fit together in the bathroom for any reason (say we both want to brush our teeth at the same time). I'm confused because there is a BIG storage space right next to the bathroom - and we could, I think, just take that wall down and make it bigger. I'm confused as to why the people before us made the bathroom so small and didn't use that space. The tile is from the set of Three's Company so I want that to go and the shower is a bath fitter and I really want to get a regular shower.

Our first time seeing the new place was last night. We were supposed to stay there. We ended up staying with my sister until some of these things can be done. DH and I are planning on taking all of this Sunday to work on the apartment since we both work on Sat.

Anyone have suggestions, words of wisdom, plumber recs, ANYTHING for us? This is our first place alone together (meaning, separate from my IL's and on our own) and I'm a bit worried! :::starting to breathe into paper bag:::

Message edited 8/13/2009 10:23:52 AM.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

I don't have rec's b/c I'm not in LI - but we rent a 1 bedroom basement apartment (from my in-laws as well) and we did A LOT to it and it looks really nice...

Def do the laminate - we ripped up the carpet and having laminate is so much easier to keep clean - especially since we have a dog....

I would see how you guys manage with the bathroom after living there for a bit - we have a small bathroom too and we make it work....if you don't plan on living there for a long time I wouldn't go crazy spending money to do renovations - that JMO though - if you do plan on staying there it might be worth changing....

Don't be overwhelmed - do one thing at a time....I would do paint and flooring first - that is what we did when we moved into our apartment....

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Is the basement "smelly"? If it is, it's probably moisture.

I would get a dehumidifier.

Change the carpet first. Especially if you have allergies. They could be old and moldy.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

The first thing I would do would be to get a dehumidifier in there. They work wonders for smell and humidity no matter what time of the year. If you are in a basement, i'd have it running 24/7. I had one in our first apartment and I got it from Home Depot, it was a nicer one...around $200 but it worked WONDERS.

Carpets, especially old ones hold lots of germs, dust, and all that lovely stuff. I would think that would be the first to go if it was me living down there and I had allergies. The bathroom, as long as it's functioning would stay for a little while (again, IMO) just because taking a wall down and starting all construction is a lot to handle and $$$$ especially when you are moving in right away.

So for me, the carpets ripped up, some paint and decoration would be what I would do. But I think the dehumidifier is a must! Whether the basement is brand new or 100 years old!

Oh, since you are living in your IL's...are you allowed to do whatever you want since it's your basement apt? What do they say about this? Why did you only see it for the first time the night you were going to actually sleep there?

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

ITA with the others about getting a de-humidifier....that's a good idea.....

After we took out the carpeting our apartment lost a lot of that humid feeling - the carpet holds in moisture (gross!) and sometimes the carpet would feel damp (gross I know!) but once we changed the floors and put in ceilings fans to circulate the air better it lost that damp/basement feeling....

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

If the carpet is gross and ugly you def should rip it up. If you don't mind it but due to your allergies its a no go, then get a professional carpet cleaner in. My friend has really bad allergies, she just bought a home that the previous owner had animals. She is getting the rugs done professionally.
Personally I wouldn't do too much to the apartment, because you don't own it. I would do minimal things to make it your own. Laminate flooring is a great option. And paint can work wonders.
Maybe if the tile in the bathroom isn't that great, you can work around it. As long as it's clean, you can make it work.As for the size, I agree with seeing how it works for a lil bit. Then decide if you should renovate to make it bigger.

Just keep in mind, this might not be your dream location... but it's a stepping stone to the bigger great picture. One day you will be able to show your kids the before and afters of what you did to make it home.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Are you actually living in your IL's basement or this someone elses house? I'm not sure.

If this is you IL's house that you will be living in, ask them what they are comfortable with you guys doing to the basement. I would rip the carpet up and than paint and than install the laminate flooring. It's really a pain in the butt to keep the new flooring clean when you paint. I would live with the bathroom for now. Make a list of what you want to do and than number it....one being most important. Take one thing at a time. GL!

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Message edited 8/13/2009 12:30:35 PM.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Pick a corner and start making your list for Santa (aka Home Depot). For me, if I was planning on staying for more than a year or two, I would be gutting out the balance of the place (flooring, bathroom, etc.) and starting from scratch. If you have the finances available, you are only adding equity to the place (yet making it livable for yourself). Don't mess around with the bath remodel yourself; get a contractor. I had my entire bathroom remodeled (tile and all) within 3 1/2 days for around $4,000 (including materials).

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Have you ever seen that show on HGTV where they redo basement apartments to add value to their homes? They have done some amazing things on that show - go on their site and maybe you can get some ideas.

They have added value and space to the apts. Some of them included laundry rooms too.

Check it out.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

From experience.. do any painting on the walls before getting new flooring if you can. It's much much easier to paint walls when you don't have to worry about keeping the floor spotless.

I agree about trying the dehumidifier first also - that may help the smell and your allergies, then you can paint, then once thats done, rip the carpet out.

as for the bathroom.. thats a big job to tackle, so definitely have a professional do it since it will likely involve moving plumbing.
Maybe do the carpet/walls first.. live with it for a little and then tackle the bathroom.

it can get very overwhelming when you try and tackle everything all at once.
set small goals and you'll feel much better looking at what needs to be done.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Message edited 8/14/2009 11:32:14 AM.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

OK, after the first stressful day I feel better!

DH and I talked and we spoke with IL's -- we are going to rip up the carpets this Sunday first and foremost because of the odor and how old they are.

Then, we are going to prime the entire basement -- we are not going to paint yet because we have a contractor coming in about the outside entrance and kitchen (IL's are bringing him in to discuss what they want to do so that it can be independent and separate for us soon)... So, I'm going to wait on painting until I know what he's doing and how to go around it because if he is going to take walls down or whatever I don't want to have to re-do any painting. I'm better off just priming and then waiting. It'll look clean and nice in the meantime.

Then, same thing w/ the floors - I'm gong to wait to install them until he comes and I know what he is doing.

He is going to take a look at the bathroom and try to help us update it because the shower looks like it might leak and DH actually can't turn around in it because that is how small it is -- or, should I say, how big DH is LOL.

Thanks so much everyone!! I feel 100% better - I think it is going to be really cute when we are done and very pretty.

They have a built-in dehumidifier that was nice 10 years ago -- however, now it is old, loud and I don't think it is doing the trick anymore. So, we are going to rip that out and purchase one. It is also right smack where we want the kitchen so it has to go no matter what.

Thanks!!!

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Also, until the big stuff is done down there and we can stay down there DH and I are in one of the extra BR's upstairs -- we use the hall bathroom and it is very comfortable for us until the main stuff is done and we can move in down there.

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

take things 1 step at a time....it is so hard to get everything done and it stinks to have 100 unfinished projects all around you....
so easy does it and good luck!!!!

but i am sure you will turn it into an amazing space that has great potential for you to save for a place of your own and then for your parents to rent out for extra money too

Re: New Basement Apartment for us:

Posted by DaniRella

Also, until the big stuff is done down there and we can stay down there DH and I are in one of the extra BR's upstairs -- we use the hall bathroom and it is very comfortable for us until the main stuff is done and we can move in down there.