I'd love to know what these things were.
I'd love to know what these things were.
I also took pictures of everything before the drywall went up so if I have to get into the walls, I know where electrical and plumbing sits.
We didn't finish our basement because we can always spend more money later, it is harder/more expensive to build more space. So we maximized how big the house was at the expense of not having a finished basement.
However, we did finish the stairwell down to the basement and didn't hide that stairwell with a door and wall. It is all open with railing and carpet and lighting. It really opens up the first floor and looks really nice.
We also plumbed the basement for a bathroom. There is nothing there, but the pipes are there sitting in the concrete foundation. (again, much cheaper to put the $50 worth of PVC in the foundation when it is poured instead of using a jackhammer when you finish the basement.
If you want any built in shelving, it is a lot cheaper to have it done while the trim guy is already there instead of waiting until later.
We spent an extra couple grand on spray foam insulation, my heating/cooling bills are about 30% lower than my neighbors .
That is all I can think of right now.