Finishing a basement in Richmond Hill: what we check first

Richmond Hill has a wide mix of houses. There are large custom homes in Bayview Hill, older properties around Mill Pond and newer builds up in Oak Ridges and Jefferson. The basements in those houses are very different from each other, which is why we start every basement project with the same walk around before anyone talks about finishes.

Start outside, not inside

The first thing we look at is the grading around the house. Does the ground slope away from the foundation? Do the downspouts dump water next to the wall or carry it away? Is there a window well that fills with leaves every fall?

Then we go downstairs and look for clues. White mineral deposits on the concrete, staining at the bottom of the walls, a sump pump that runs constantly in March. Parts of northern Richmond Hill sit on sandy moraine soils, which drain differently from the heavier clay further south. Neither one guarantees a dry basement. The house will tell you if you look.

If there is a moisture problem, it gets fixed before any framing. Finishing over a damp wall only hides the problem behind drywall and carpet.

Work around the mechanical room

The furnace, water heater, softener, electrical panel and sump are not going to move cheaply. We draw the layout around them, keep proper clearances and make sure everything can still be serviced. A beautiful media room is less beautiful when a technician has to cut through it to reach the shut-off.

Ducts and beams are the other constraint. Ceiling height in a basement is usually the limiting factor, so we map every bulkhead before design and try to group them where they will not matter, like over a hallway or along a wall of built-ins.

Adding a bathroom

A basement bathroom is one of the most useful things you can add, especially if the basement will have a guest room or a gym. The question is drainage. If the main drain sits high, a toilet and shower may need to be lower than it, which means a pump system. That is common and reliable, but it needs to be planned and it affects cost.

Ventilation matters too. A basement bathroom without a properly vented exhaust fan will have mildew on the ceiling by the second winter.

Thinking about a separate suite

Some clients want a basement that can be closed off for a parent, an adult child or a tenant. That is a different project from a recreation room. A self-contained unit usually brings extra requirements around fire separation, a separate exit, ceiling heights, window sizes and sometimes heating.

Whether it is allowed, and exactly what is required, depends on your property and current municipal rules, so we confirm feasibility with the city during design. It is much easier to build the right walls and ceilings the first time than to upgrade a finished basement later.

Our order of work

1. Fix water and grading issues.
2. Plan the layout around mechanicals and ceiling heights.
3. Get the building permit.
4. Rough in plumbing, electrical, ductwork and low voltage.
5. Insulate properly for below grade walls.
6. Finish.

It is not a glamorous list, but following it is what keeps a basement feeling like part of the house ten years from now.

If you live in Richmond Hill and are planning a lower level, see how we design and build basements, or book a visit and we will walk the space with you.