Basement Finishing Project - Research

With this project we'll be tackling things we've never done before.  We've never framed entire rooms, or run all new electrical and plumbing for an entire basement remodel.  We've done drywall patching, but we've never drywalled entire rooms.  We've never built a bathroom from scratch, let alone in a basement.  We do have a basic understanding of the concepts, but that's not enough to build our confidence going into a project of this magnitude.  So, like every other home improvement project we've taken on where we lacked a solid knowledge base, we're doing our research.


After extensive searching on the web we found that there are many different ways to frame and insulate a basement, and each is offered as "the best method".  Additionally, there wasn't enough down and dirty details to help these amateurs feel confident.  So, we modified our internet search and began looking for highly recommended publications for framing, drywall, and basement finishing.  Yes, we're going to kick it old school and go with actual books.  :)  


This is the list we've come up with.

• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Framing Basics Illustrated - Norman Skanon
• Drywall:  Professional Techniques for Great Results - Myron R Ferguson
• Make It Right: Expert Advice on Home Renovation - Mike Holmes
• Make It Right: Attics And Basements - Mike Holmes

For the first two we went completely off of the online reviews and how they compared to reviews of similar publications.  With the second two, for us, the author has instant credibility.  We're big fans of Mike Holmes and his shows, and after reading the raving recommendations from the readers of these books we were coughing up good money for them.  We'll need to fish through some Canadian code, but heck...we're far enough north that we're nearly Canadian anyway, eh.  ;)