Hey all,
Just thought I'd pass along an experience of mine so that it may help others out there. I'll try and keep this short, though it doesn't do it justice. I am a novice builder, I have built a deck and a loft and really enjoyed doing both.
I bought a house about 2 months after discovering the wonderful world of home theater and this forum. I was determined that i could finish my basement myself with a little time and effort.
I spent the first month putting up all the stud walls. I spent the next week taking it all down. I spent the next month putting up stud walls, again.
Then i started the drywall. If I had ever drywalled before there are alot of things I would have done with my stud walls, but I'm not taking them down again.
I drywalled about 80% and after looking at it and talking with friends, I decided that hiring a professional to mud it and sand it may salvage my work.
A guy came over the other night and quoted me $600 to tape, mud and sand my basement. Then, out of curiosity i asked him what he would have charged to hang the drywall and finish the whole basement. He said $1,000, materials included.
The last couple of days I have spent taking down all my drywall. He will have it all done in the next 3 days.
$1,000 is alot of money to me, But well worth my theater looking sharp.
I don't post this to solicit any comments about how crappy of a job I must have done or hear about the thousands that finished their basements and it turned out fabulous. Only as a notice to those that may be rushing into things, bull-headed and over confident as I was.
Jeff
Just thought I'd pass along an experience of mine so that it may help others out there. I'll try and keep this short, though it doesn't do it justice. I am a novice builder, I have built a deck and a loft and really enjoyed doing both.
I bought a house about 2 months after discovering the wonderful world of home theater and this forum. I was determined that i could finish my basement myself with a little time and effort.
I spent the first month putting up all the stud walls. I spent the next week taking it all down. I spent the next month putting up stud walls, again.
Then i started the drywall. If I had ever drywalled before there are alot of things I would have done with my stud walls, but I'm not taking them down again.
I drywalled about 80% and after looking at it and talking with friends, I decided that hiring a professional to mud it and sand it may salvage my work.
A guy came over the other night and quoted me $600 to tape, mud and sand my basement. Then, out of curiosity i asked him what he would have charged to hang the drywall and finish the whole basement. He said $1,000, materials included.
The last couple of days I have spent taking down all my drywall. He will have it all done in the next 3 days.
$1,000 is alot of money to me, But well worth my theater looking sharp.
I don't post this to solicit any comments about how crappy of a job I must have done or hear about the thousands that finished their basements and it turned out fabulous. Only as a notice to those that may be rushing into things, bull-headed and over confident as I was.
Jeff