Basement expansion and electrical conveniences

Hello,
I don’t really know if I’m in the right place here, but I think so ;o)

We bought a "used" house, but the question probably also concerns new homeowners:

The basement room is still quite original: one large room, no tiles, two opposite basement windows, gas boiler in the basement, exposed pipes, water connection for washing machine.

We would now like to make the basement a bit more appealing, meaning: build walls, cover the floor (tiles? or is there another alternative), and the pipes etc. should be covered.

My questions:
- Should I do the floor first and then build the walls or the other way around?
- Do I have to consider ventilation if rooms are created that have no windows?
- What will the floor covering (tiles??) roughly cost me (almost 70 sqm)?
- What does the installation of the walls including doors cost? About 3-4 rooms should be created, so about 4 walls.

Is it actually possible – and sensible – to install underfloor heating in the basement afterwards? And how expensive would that be? At the moment, there is no heating downstairs at all.
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Furthermore, some of the roller shutters already have electric switches. We would like to replace these with modern ones. I assume this can be done without any problems, right? What are the costs? Especially where there are only manual controls?

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What costs should I roughly plan per sqm for wallpapering the house (also possibly for the wallpaperer)? (medium to better wallpaper quality)?

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What do I have to roughly calculate per sqm including installation for flooring (wood)?

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How much does it cost if I completely tear down a wall about 4 meters long to open up a room?

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I know, many questions and not all for the new build… but maybe you can still help? THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

First walls, then floor.

Ventilation is desirable, but not mandatory, unless a wet room is created.

What the covering will cost is up to you... tiles can be obtained for 10 euros, but also for 250 euros and more per sqm.

You can only estimate the costs if you measure everything yourself and make a list of what drywall and studwork etc. are needed... from here you cannot see what and in which quantities everything is required... and a professional is better for this.

If you want to use the basement as living space, then heating is indispensable... which option you choose depends again on your wallet... you can install a water-based underfloor heating or an electric one, but radiators or even an air heating system will also work... you see the possibilities are practically unlimited... and the costs... well see above...

Hmm shutters and switches... here I just ran out of crystal balls as well...

For the wallpaper I throw 100 euros per sqm into the room... but only the painter can tell you more...

Floor coverings (wood) see tiles

Tearing down a wall can cost you the house and your life... here you can’t avoid a structural engineer...

Thank you for the reply. Even if it was not very detailed in all points .. or exaggerated (wallpapers). I am not planning a gold palace ;o) Maybe someone else has another answer?

And another question about the cellar. The usual zinc cellar windows are installed there. Can I simply replace them with "normal" windows or will there be ventilation problems (mold)?

Regarding the gas heating: How long does such a unit last? And how expensive would the replacement be? approx...

Hello,

We would now like to make the basement a bit more appealing, meaning: install walls, cover the floor (tiles? or is there another alternative), additionally the pipes etc. should be covered.

How high is the finished room height?

- Should I do the floor first and then install the walls or the other way around?

First the floor, then the walls.

- Do I need to consider anything regarding ventilation if rooms are created that have no window?

Do I need to watch a turned-on stove?

- What will the floor covering (tiles??) approximately cost me (almost 70 sqm)?

From €350.00 upwards is possible; depends on your taste and skill.

- What does the installation of the walls including doors cost me? About 3-4 rooms are to be created, so about 4 walls.

What you have to pay your supplier for the materials?

Is it actually possible – and sensible – to retrofit underfloor heating in the basement? And how expensive would that be? Currently, there is no heating down there at all.

Depends on the use of the rooms, the external insulation, and the floor-to-ceiling height.

What costs should I roughly plan per sqm for wallpapering the house (also possibly for the wallpaperer) (medium to better wallpaper quality)?

There is a sort of junky store here where a roll of textured wallpaper costs from €2.00; but I wouldn’t want to paste it.

What should I roughly budget per sqm including installation for floor coverings (wood)?

Depends on your taste.

How much will it cost me if I completely tear down an approx. 4-meter wall to open up a room?

You have to ask a structural engineer you trust.

Thank you very much for the answer. Even if it was not very helpful in all points .. or exaggerated (wallpaper). I’m not planning a golden palace ;o)

You ask questions which most users avoid answering because they simply can’t. You seem to me to be an exaggerated penny pincher. Find an architect you trust and walk through the house with him. This way all your questions, including the important ones regarding altered statics, will get reliable answers.

And another question about the basement. The usual zinc basement windows are installed there. Can I simply replace them with "normal" windows or will there be ventilation problems (mold)?

Light wells are hung in front and take the requirements of the statics into account. If you want to install a "normal" window, you also have to consult the structural engineer here. Moreover, it also critically depends on the type of basement masonry.

Regarding gas heating: How long does such a thing last? And how expensive would the replacement be? approx.

A gas boiler – with regular maintenance – about 15-18 years; a gas condensing boiler about 12-15 years. For the costs of a new boiler you should consult a heating engineer you trust; maybe a hybrid system would also be interesting.

PS: It always helps with such kinds and quantities of questions if the profile of the respective questioner offers a bit more background information ;)

Best regards from the Rhineland

Hello,

actually many questions:

- Do I first do the floor and then install the walls, or the other way around? Of course first the floor, then the walls in lightweight construction go on top. There is an instruction for this here:

Link entfernt durch Mod

- Do I have to consider anything ventilation-wise if rooms are created that have no window? Yes – install ventilation

- How much will the floor covering (tiles??) cost me approximately (almost 70 sqm)? Between 5 and 100 €/m²

Is it actually possible – and sensible – to install underfloor heating in the basement afterwards? And how expensive would that be? At the moment there is no heating downstairs at all. You need perimeter insulation see here:

Link entfernt durch Mod

Installing something like that afterwards is practically not possible. Unless your basement has plenty of height.


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How much will it cost me if I completely tear down an approx. 4-meter wall to open a room? If it is a load-bearing wall, it might cost you the house. Have a structural engineer look at it.