How to remodel your basement AND fall in love with the results

You have come to the right place. Basements are full of suprises for the remodeler who hasn't had any experience with them.

While other sites may have a particular basement system to sell, I only want you to have the FULL information you need to remodel your basement and do it right.

My name is Dave Schrock. I have, as of this writing, been a professional basement remodeler for 15 years. All the pictures on this site and in the book are from basements I have designed and remodeled.

I have written a book on the subject, addressing the questions that you will have in your project.

My $24.95 book tells you all the secrets to a great basement

My book tells what you need to know about basement remodeling, including:

• How to do basement design and layout

  Typically the first thing you begin to look for help on. And with good reason. There is plenty to know about the subject.

• Pictures and images

  I have spent thousands of dollars and many days taking photographers around to basements I have remodeled. You will get possibly the most thorough collection of basement images anywhere.

• How to get the most out of the space available

  A good approach to the design of your basement can maximize your space. I will tell you how to make the most of what you've got.

  If you're really tight on space, I'll tell you a trick in how to do the construction that will squeeze every possible inch out.

• How to handle problem areas

  Many basements have problem areas. Like boilers and other appliances in the worst possible locations. Like ductwork or electrical pipes hanging down from the ceiling.

  My book tells you how to deal with these problems.

• How to deal with basement ceilings

  A big problem for many homeowners. Unfortunately, lots of houses were built with the idea that the basement was just for storage, and maybe laundry. So ceiling height didn't matter.

  My book will take you through your choices and my suggestion on dealing with low basement ceilings. Also the best options in ceiling types - ceiling tiles versus finished ceilings, and how to deal with access in both cases.

• Everything else you'll need to know

  These are just the highlights. There's plenty more.

You get expert advice

I mentioned I've been doing this for 14 years. I didn't mention that I have appeared on CNN and local news, as the expert talking about basement remodeling.

My advice has appeared in Money magazine, and I have appeared in newspapers repeatedly since I began writing on how to do basement remodeling. I seem to have become the go-to guy on this subject.

The point of this isn't to give me an ego trip - I don't care about all that. But I want you to know that you are getting your advice from an expert. I'm a general contractor, and have personally planned, designed, and built 189 basements (so far).

How to plan the perfect space

Planning: the key ingredient

The most important part of remodeling your basement occurs before you ever touch a tool. You need to be able to design your basement well, and I will show you how to do it.

In 14 years doing basements I have come across every possible size and shape of basement. There are certain principles that I will tell you about layout and planning which will give you the guidance and inspiration to do it right. For your basement.

If you were to read nothing else in my book, you would still do just fine with only this chapter.

How to get the most from your space - and make it comfortable

In my book I will walk you through the steps to designing a great basement space. There are lots of little things to know, including how to make separate areas in the basement while still keeping the space as open as possible.

Large, open spaces give the best feeling to your basement, and I will tell you how to capitalize on what you have to work with.

What my book is not

My book is not a how-to manual on construction methods. I do not tell you how to do framing, electrical, plumbing or any other how-to. All of that is well covered elsewhere in books available from the bookstore.

I cover the design. The planning. The layout. And all the little tricks and tips you will need to know in designing your basement. This is the missing information you can't find anywhere else.

Basements are a special problem in construction. They have their own challenges, not found in any other area. I have, over the years, had to handle all of it. My book contains the secrets of doing your basement right.

Designing spaces for kids

I wrote an entire chapter on how to design a usable space for kids. There are neat things you can do in basements that are not possible or practical in other areas of the house. I'll show you how to make unique places just for them.

How to do bedrooms and bathrooms

I will also tell you how to design basement bedrooms and bathrooms. These add fantastic livability to a basement, and both will add nicely to the usability of your house.

If you want to entertain people for more than a day, but don't have the room for them, this is your easiest solution. Your guests will love it, and you too.

How to build a bar in your basement

One of the most common requests I get is to put a bar in a basement. So I developed a system for building them that works every time.

Now, earlier I said this book isn't a how-to manual, and it isn't. But this chapter is an exception. I take you through how to build your own bar.

I show lots of pictures and give different ways to do it, including a way to do a basement bar with only minimal space.

How to plan for a home gym

If you're a fitness buff you might put a gym in your basement. There are things you'll need to account for in the planning if you will be including this in your basement. I will show you pictures and give you the information you need in this chapter.

Storage - but make it look nice please

You don't have to lose storage space in doing your basement remodeling. You should probably get rid of some of that junk, but some you will want to keep. And you will collect more.

Your main tools in the fight against clutter are called shelves. And as you can see above, it doesn't need to be boring. My book gives you lots of ideas and pictures for storage.

How to plan for home theaters

In the average American home the TV runs six hours a day. So your home entertainment area will probably be getting lots of use. In this chapter I will tell you how to plan it right, starting from the beginning.

I will also tell you how to make the layout flexible, so that you can change your mind and still be able to put things elsewhere, without being locked into your original design.

Designing your perfect home office

Offices are pretty simple and don't require a huge amount of know-how. But even here I will show you ways to make the space as open and as usable as possible. This will keep your office lively and inviting, and keep you from feeling isolated and shut off.

How to do great lighting

While natural lighting is the best way to illuminate any room, many basements get very little of it. I'll tell you all about the three main types of lighting, and how to use them to the best advantage. Good lighting can add emotional impact to a room. Your guests won't know exactly why, but they will find the room captivating.

And plenty more...

Also you get full information on other basement remodeling topics:

• Game rooms
• Windows
• Stairways
• Dealing with posts
• Heating and insulating your basement
• Basement waterproofing - dealing with damp, moist basements
• Paint and trim

You can be the envy of the neighborhood

My book covers these subjects and more from start to finish. This means you can make your basement the envy of the neighborhood. Invite the neighbors over and watch them drool. It's like doubling the size of your house, since you'll be reclaiming all that wasted space.

A well designed basement often becomes the most used area in the house. And why not? Done right it can be the most comfortable area in the house.

Here's to a great basement.

- Dave Schrock

Order a printed copy of the book now

Softcover book, 69 pages, full color.

OR - Order the book on CD right now and get a FREE copy of Basement Explorer

CD contains all the materials in the book plus "Basement Explorer" software FREE. Basement Explorer Software includes complete floorplans of 30 great basements, with photos, 3D tours and design notes to immerse you in the possibilities of what your basement can become. CD Compatibility: Windows 2000, XP, Vista. Your computer must be connected to the Internet when installing this software. Requires free Adobe Reader and QuickTime Player which will be automatically downloaded and installed if not already on your computer.