| Just the basics listed here. For a full Basement finishing guide, see the books listed below. You will find the same books and tools listed on our website. Measure it! Step 1 is to measure the available space. It is important to measure the space and decide how much room you have to work with. If you have someone to help you by holding the end of the tape it will make measuring much easier. I measure a lot of basements and I am usually by myself so I use a tool called a 'CST/Stanley 77-910 TLM100 FatMax Tru-Laser Measurer'. If you don't have a laser tape, pick up a good 100' roll tape and just use pieces of masking tape to hold it down to the floor. Calculate Area Calculate your square footage. You can do this by multiplying the length and width of each room. For example: a 8'x 10' room will be 80/square ft. Add all rooms together for a total. Having the square footage available is also very helpful when estimating the materials you will need. Layout and Design Layout and design comes next. Use your measurements to sketch out a floor plan of your space, Figure out where you want walls, rooms and doors. Draw this out on paper and make a few copies. One program I have found that is very good for basement floorplans is 'Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 6' Calculate your Costs Now you are ready to find out how much it is gonna cost. You can call a contractor, or you can check material prices at your local lumberyard. One of my favorite books for estimating costs is 'Complete Idiot's Guide to Finishing Your Basement Illustrated (The Complete Idiot's Guide)' Check out page 45. Lets Get Started Idiots guide has some good information in it, but I would also recommend you read 'Remodeling a Basement (Build Like A Pro)' before you get started. Tools your Gonna Need Rent them, Buy them, or Just borrow mine! 'Bosch 5412L 12" Dual Bevel Slide Miter Saw with Laser Tracking'
'DeWalt DW703-AV 10" Heavy Duty Compound Miter Saw w/Laser Guide'
'DEWALT DW723 Miter Saw Stand'
'Mayhew 41500 TWEAKER'
'Stanley 47-681 100' Chalk Line Reel & Chalk Set'
'Swanson Tool SO101 7" Speed Square'
'Stanley 33-730 FatMax 30' Tape Rule'
'DEWALT DC6KITA 18-Volt, 6 Tool Cordless Combo Kit' | 
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