Improve Canada <\/a>is the largest home improvement centre in Canada. Conveniently situated two stop lights north of Toronto in Vaughan, Improve Canada offers a one-stop shopping experience for all of your renovation needs. There are over 350 showrooms in the 320,000-square-foot centre, where you can source materials, get quotes, ask questions and speak to professionals in one fell swoop. There are 26 showrooms in the custom builders\/renovators category<\/a>, alone.<\/p>\n If your basement currently consists of exposed beams and concrete, you\u2019re sitting on major potential. Here, experts from three Improve Canada businesses that specialize in basement remodels break down what you need to know before building.<\/p>\n \u201cStep one is planning,\u201d says Bajaj. \u201cI find people often don\u2019t spend enough time in the planning stage. The first thing that needs to be done is to figure out how the space is going to be used and what the lifestyle of the family is.\u201d<\/p>\n Do you have a young family that loves to hang out and watch movies? You\u2019ll need a recreation room or entertainment area. Do you have a teenager who loves banging on her drum kit? For your sanity, consider building a sound-proofed music room. Your inlaws love to visit? You might want to gift them an ultra-luxe bedroom suite. Consider how you\u2019ll actually use the space before moving onto the next step.<\/p>\n Sosna Inc<\/a>. is an award-winning design and renovation company located within Improve Canada (showroom 372). They always take time to determine the clients needs and lifestyle. Then, they look at the nuts and bolts of the basement to see what\u2019s possible. \u201cBefore we even start space-planning, we come to your house to do two things: We measure everything and consult our production manager,\u201d says Sosna designer, Anna Zhilkin. \u201cHe checks what can\u2019t be demolished, where we can install for example, plumbing for the bathroom and kitchen, and more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven if you want to renovate the basement on your own, hire a professional to do the drawings,\u201d says Bajaj. \u201cWork on your layout and then go from there.\u201d If you\u2019d like to consult a specialist at any of the 350 showrooms, it\u2019s best to schedule appointments on Improve Canada\u2019s website<\/a> via each of the showrooms profile pages in advance since these local businesses can sometimes be out on a service call.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t begin any work on your basement before you check for moisture and structural issues. \u201cThe first thing we examine is any cracks in the foundation and any signs of previous leaks on the perimeter walls,\u201d says Bajaj. \u201cThen we look for cracks on the floor, examine the joists to see if there have been any plumbing issues that remain unresolved and more.\u201d<\/p>\n The basement will tell you a lot about the health of your house \u2014 in fact, it\u2019s often the first place home inspectors look to identify any major issues in the home. \u201cI would say every second basement in Toronto has a little problem, whether it\u2019s a small crack that we can easily fix or it\u2019s a big problem and we have to do to the proper repairs, water reduction and water-proofing,\u201d says Mark Dayter from Moose Basements <\/a>(showroom 113 and 161).<\/p>\n Basement renovations are one of the more costly projects you can do, which is why it\u2019s vital to go in with an airtight plan. \u201cBudgets can quickly escalate because the area of the basement is large, compared to a washroom or upstairs kitchen which is one third of the space,\u201d says Dayter. \u201cWe often have to start building everything from scratch \u2014 it\u2019s like building a house within a house.\u201d<\/p>\n At Moose Basements<\/a>, they have a basic basement renovation package that includes adding drywall, flooring, electrical and painting. \u201cThis also includes insulation since there\u2019s a building code for insulation and you can\u2019t skip this step,\u201d says Dayter. It gets more costly as soon as you add a full-bathroom, kitchen or separate entrance (so you can legally have a tenant).<\/p>\n The best way to reduce stress, manage timelines and stay on budget during a renovation is to go in with a detailed plan of everything that needs to be done and how much it will cost. Check out these expert tips<\/a> for managing your reno timeline and budget.<\/p>\n Next, you have to secure permits to avoid having your renovation delayed by the City. \u201cIf you\u2019re adding in any plumbing fixtures or a kitchen, you must have a permit,\u201d says Dayter. \u201cThe only way you can finish your basement without a permit is if you\u2019re just finishing the walls and not creating any washrooms, etc.\u201d You\u2019ll also have to check with your specific municipality on the minimum size of your windows. \u201cEvery city is different but generally speaking, there needs to be at least one window in the basement that is large enough for someone to escape in the event of a fire,\u201d says Bajaj.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve done the prep work. Now it\u2019s time for the fun stuff \u2014 bringing your vision together with decor. \u201cIt\u2019s important to select features and finishes that will create the illusion of additional lighting,\u201d says Zhilkin, who recommends painting your walls a light, bright colour like an off-white or a light grey.<\/p>\n For lighting, Bajaj recommends LED pot lights. \u201cThey\u2019re energy efficient, you get a ton of light from a single fixture and they\u2019re flush to the ceiling which is great in a basement with lower head room,\u201d he says. With 14 showrooms in the lighting\/electrical section at Improve Canada<\/a>, you\u2019ll be able to consult their specialists about the best options for you.<\/p>\n As for flooring, the experts suggest going with a good quality laminate or luxury vinyl planks. \u201cI usually recommend using luxury vinyl because it gives you the absolute feeling of hardwood, it looks great and it\u2019s durable,\u201d says Zhilkin. \u201cEven in luxury houses, we\u2019re using vinyl on the main floors.\u201d At Improve Canada, there are 24 additional flooring showrooms<\/a> to help you find exactly what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n When it comes to design, Dayter suggests making your basements as open-concept as possible, then creating a focal point. \u201cYou may want to throw in a feature wall with a fireplace to make it more family-oriented and cozy,\u201d he says. Stop by the showrooms within the heating and cooling section<\/a> at Improve Canada, like Maple Air<\/a> for a state-of-the-art selection of fireplaces. Lastly, with 25 showrooms in the furniture section at Improve Canada<\/a>, you can peruse the latest styles, whether you\u2019re going for a modern basement or a more traditional look and feel.<\/p>\nThink about how you\u2019ll use the space.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-essential-guide-to-renovating-your-basement-in-the-GTA-2.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo: James Bombales\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n2. Complete professional architectural drawings.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-essential-guide-to-renovating-your-basement-in-the-GTA-.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo: Moose Basements\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n3. Check for moisture and structural issues.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-essential-guide-to-renovating-your-basement-in-the-GTA-3.jpg\")
Photo: firstchoicewaterproofingnj\/Instagram\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n4. Finalize your budget.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-essential-guide-to-renovating-your-basement-in-the-GTA-6.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo: em_henderson\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n![\"See](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/themes\/livabl\/images\/see-also-cta-icon.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
\r\n SEE ALSO:<\/span>5 tips to manage your renovation timeline and budget<\/a><\/strong>\r\n <\/div>\n5. Secure the right permits.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-essential-guide-to-renovating-your-basement-in-the-GTA-5.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo: moosebasements\/Instagram\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n6. Select your finishes and furniture.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-essential-guide-to-renovating-your-basement-in-the-GTA-4.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo: memehillstudio\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/basement-reno-improve-canada.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo: