Basement remodeling in Arvada, CO

Do I need a permit to remodel a basement in Arvada?

Yes, a basement remodel that changes walls, wiring or plumbing in Arvada needs a building permit from the City of Arvada. The city's residential building permit pages include a section for interior work on houses.

New walls, new circuits and new drain lines are the usual triggers. Paint and new flooring are cosmetic. Your contractor confirms with the city which parts of your scope need the permit, then books the inspections it calls for.

Some homes with an Arvada mailing address sit outside city limits. Those file with their county building department. Check your property record before anyone applies.

What should I check before remodeling an old finished basement?

Check for water, old wiring and missing permits before you plan the new layout. An older finish can hide problems that change the scope and the price. Finding them at the estimate costs far less than finding them halfway through the build.

Walk through these with the contractor at the estimate:

• Stains, musty smells or swollen trim near the floor
• Ungrounded outlets or wiring run like extension cords
• Bedrooms with no emergency escape window
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are missing or old
• Ceiling texture or floor tile old enough to test for asbestos
• Whether the first finish was ever permitted

Should I remodel my existing basement or gut it to the studs?

Gut the basement to the studs when water, mold or bad wiring runs through most of the space. Keep the existing framing when it is dry, straight and laid out close to what you want.

Many remodels land in between. The crew keeps sound walls and removes only the rooms that change. That saves demolition and disposal on the parts that still work.

Opening walls also shows what the first finish left out. Missing insulation, missing fireblocking or a bath fan vented into the ceiling often turn up once drywall comes down. Your written quote should say how the contractor prices surprises found behind the walls.

What's the most expensive part of remodeling a basement?

Plumbing and anything that cuts concrete usually cost the most in a basement remodel. A new bathroom far from the existing drain means breaking the slab and trenching new lines.

An egress window is the other big line. The crew cuts the foundation wall, digs a well and sets the window. Moving a post or beam adds cost too, because it needs an engineer.

Drywall, paint and flooring cover the most area but cost less per foot. Keeping the bathroom near existing plumbing is the simplest way to protect the budget. If you are flexible on location, ask the contractor to price the bathroom in two spots and compare.