Basement Theater/Game Room [Finished!]

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Howard_Casto:
You know the old expression. If you want something done right... better do it yourself.

In my area everybody pretty much does remodeling themselves. I've got to admit though, the cost of materials anymore makes it hard. Usually if the cost is about the same I'll go ahead and do it myself though, simply because I know it'll be done right. I'm a bit of a perfectionist on some things and contractors drive me crazy... they like to cut corners.

I'm excited for you and an anxious to see how things turn out.... remember, pics or it didn't happen!

javeryh:
Well... let's just say that 3 of the 4 bids are in and the difference between the high bid and the low bid is $150,000. That is not a typo. The high bid was the first one we got and we were pretty much hysterical. I'm still not feeling so great right about now since even the low bid is over my budget. Hopefully the last bid will come in a little lower. If not, we are going to have to see what we can scale back in the plans in order to make this happen. Man, I thought this was going to be fun but the entire process has been awful so far. The good news (I guess) is that construction can begin in about 4-6 weeks and we are going to be done sometime in March. It can't happen soon enough. I just want to get this behind me so I can start thinking about other things...

pinballjim:
Get rid of the theater nobody will use in 2 months.

Howard_Casto:

--- Quote from: javeryh on September 17, 2012, 03:57:54 pm ---Well... let's just say that 3 of the 4 bids are in and the difference between the high bid and the low bid is $150,000. That is not a typo. The high bid was the first one we got and we were pretty much hysterical. I'm still not feeling so great right about now since even the low bid is over my budget. Hopefully the last bid will come in a little lower. If not, we are going to have to see what we can scale back in the plans in order to make this happen. Man, I thought this was going to be fun but the entire process has been awful so far. The good news (I guess) is that construction can begin in about 4-6 weeks and we are going to be done sometime in March. It can't happen soon enough. I just want to get this behind me so I can start thinking about other things...

--- End quote ---

My suggestion:

Obviously the digging out of the dirt and the laying of the new floor is some heavy duty work, you'll need to hire people to do that. The other "finish" work is easy though... you could do all of that yourself and save some cash. Any idgit can put up a non-load-bearing wall and skin it with something. Electrical is also fairly easy assuming you have easy access to the box and in your case the box is on the wall on the other side of the room, so no problems there.

Which is more valuable to you? Time or Money? Because with some of your own time invested into the project you can save a lot of money.

javeryh:

--- Quote from: pinballjim on September 17, 2012, 04:25:40 pm ---Get rid of the theater nobody will use in 2 months.

--- End quote ---

The bids are for an unfinished basement. Also, I'm not putting in a traditional "theater" with risers, total darkness, etc. This will be a place to watch sports, play games, hang out (and watch movies). The goal is a large projection screen, comfortable seats and some arcade games but it's way down the road.

--- Quote from: Howard_Casto on September 17, 2012, 05:10:44 pm ---My suggestion:

Obviously the digging out of the dirt and the laying of the new floor is some heavy duty work, you'll need to hire people to do that. The other "finish" work is easy though... you could do all of that yourself and save some cash. Any idgit can put up a non-load-bearing wall and skin it with something. Electrical is also fairly easy assuming you have easy access to the box and in your case the box is on the wall on the other side of the room, so no problems there.

Which is more valuable to you? Time or Money? Because with some of your own time invested into the project you can save a lot of money.

--- End quote ---

I am going to paint myself and I'm going to install the cabinetry myself - even though I could probably do more I don't really have the time and since this is going to affect my entire house I need the bulk of the project to be completed as fast as possible. I will be doing everything in the basement myself (with my dad's help) over time but for now we just want to get the unfinished space in the basement and the TV room and master bedroom/bathroom completed. We will figure it out - it's just not as easy as I was hoping. Also, I need more money!

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