I'm planning to finish my basement and eventually connect it to my first floor with stairs. I'm unsure whether I should start with the flooring or if framing out the walls and rooms should be the priority. Any advice?
2 Answers
Before doing any flooring, I'd recommend addressing water issues. Installing a sump pump at the lowest point of your basement and getting a French drain can help prevent future problems. Also, check for cracks in your foundation. Once all that’s sorted, you can focus on framing and flooring without worrying about leaks later on.
When renovating a basement, it’s crucial to consider moisture issues first. A lot of people think a finished basement is a great living space addition, but you need to assess any potential water problems first. If you haven't been living in the house long, you might not know its history with moisture.
I’m in my fifth year here, and we’ve had heavy rain without any flooding, so I feel somewhat lucky. But I'm definitely going to keep an eye on it!

That sounds like a solid plan! I might call in a waterproofing company for a consultation as you suggested. Thanks for the tip!