My Basement Lounge Project is Officially Underway

[SMOKE20]

very cool progress

[BigDaddyJ]

Awesome! Your really making progress. Please keep us updated as you go along. I've got a similar area in my basement that I would like to convert into a cigar smoking man cave. Unfortunately, I lack both the funds and the expertise to attempt the project at this time. Maybe watching your progress will inspire me.

[sboyajian]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyJ

Awesome! Your really making progress. Please keep us updated as you go along. I've got a similar area in my basement that I would like to convert into a cigar smoking man cave. Unfortunately, I lack both the funds and the expertise to attempt the project at this time. Maybe watching your progress will inspire me.

I've never done any of this before (I've replaced 2 prong outlets with the 3 prong kind, and I've installed some lights before).. but this is mostly all new for me. It's fairly easy once you get into it.

As for cost.. you would be surprised.. outside of HVAC (which I secured in another manner), totally cost to date for all lumber, all electrical, and all hardware is less than $275.. Expecting another $100 - 120 for drywall, maybe $40 for supplies for drywall. $130 for the sconces I want then flooring. I expect this entire project will cost me about $1100. A Pro would have charged me 4 - 6k for it.

[thebayratt]

Thats the joy of taking your time and doing alot of the simple work yourself. Then you save money, then you have the fealing of accomplishment that you can say "I did this myself". Great work so far. Can't wait to see the finished room. But loving the pic updates.

[CrashTECH]

I will definitely be watching this. I don't own a house yet but having a nice open basement for this kind of upgrade will definitely be on my shopping list.

[sboyajian]

Will take some pictures tonight, however wanted to post an update.

First task of last night was to try and salvage the door frame that leads into the lounge area. I was able to save it all without damaging anything and this saved me about $60 in a prehung door.

Due to the bad job the builder did framing the original wall, I need to build some 2x2 framing to face their wall. This will prevent the steel columns from getting in the way and warping my drywall. It will also help me to run my electrical in the front wall (1 switch box and 3 outlets).

Last night since it was to late to be tearing my leftover 2x4's in half to finish the framing, I decided to put in the rest of the gang boxes. I then ran 14/2 from the circuit panel (not connected yet) through each box and to the switch. I have installed all of the outlets and connected all wires.

I have also added a second switch that will control one outlet in the exercise room.

After this was done, I put the 4 can lights in the exercise room in place.

The picture below shows a drawing of the rooms, location of the boxes and which circuit they will be on. Some (most) likely have no use for that, but I know some people are redoing rooms, or curious about it, or are thinking about it. So hopefully this will provide some purpose.

I'm trying to keep the loads to about 10 per circuit. I ended up with 11 on circuit 1 and 9 on circuit 2. Merely from the point that it was easier to put the outlets in the lounge on the same circuit as the ones on the same wall from the exercise room.

C - Can Light
Small box - outlet
Big Box - Switch Box
Oval - Sconces
# - Which circuit

[CrashTECH]

Looking forward to the updated pictures!

[Tango]

Great work! Keep the pics coming! I'm so jealous!

[tobacmon]

Originally Posted by sboyajian

Will take some pictures tonight, however wanted to post an update.

First task of last night was to try and salvage the door frame that leads into the lounge area. I was able to save it all without damaging anything and this saved me about $60 in a prehung door.

Due to the bad job the builder did framing the original wall, I need to build some 2x2 framing to face their wall. This will prevent the steel columns from getting in the way and warping my drywall. It will also help me to run my electrical in the front wall (1 switch box and 3 outlets).

Last night since it was to late to be tearing my leftover 2x4's in half to finish the framing, I decided to put in the rest of the gang boxes. I then ran 14/2 from the circuit panel (not connected yet) through each box and to the switch. I have installed all of the outlets and connected all wires.

I have also added a second switch that will control one outlet in the exercise room.

After this was done, I put the 4 can lights in the exercise room in place.

The picture below shows a drawing of the rooms, location of the boxes and which circuit they will be on. Some (most) likely have no use for that, but I know some people are redoing rooms, or curious about it, or are thinking about it. So hopefully this will provide some purpose.

I'm trying to keep the loads to about 10 per circuit. I ended up with 11 on circuit 1 and 9 on circuit 2. Merely from the point that it was easier to put the outlets in the lounge on the same circuit as the ones on the same wall from the exercise room.

C - Can Light
Small box - outlet
Big Box - Switch Box
Oval - Sconces
# - Which circuit

Stephen,

Again your doing a great job and had a few thoughts after looking at your floor plan for the electrical. Was wondering why not 20amp circuits for power and you can put up to 10 on a circuit. The lighting should be O K with the 15amp circuit as long as the load is not a massive one. I was also wondering about your installing cable and data for the area. Just a thought --Either way you should be O K but you never know when it comes to having enough power --do it while you got it open --I always say! You know how to contact me if need be!

[Tarks]

Great work Stephen. It is really coming along nicely. I wish my wife would have let me build a smoking room when I built our basement. Tell me, how did you get permission??? Very jealous.

[sboyajian]

Originally Posted by Tarks

Great work Stephen. It is really coming along nicely. I wish my wife would have let me build a smoking room when I built our basement. Tell me, how did you get permission??? Very jealous.

Was her idea!

[P_Roberts]

Originally Posted by sboyajian

Was her idea!

Ok I'm going to be the first to call B.S. sboyajian has apparently taken a blow to the head and thinks he is building a smoking room that his wife not only approved of but thought up. Any BOTL in the area need to get him to seek medical attention and explain to him that he is building a sewing room.

The sewing room looks like its coming along great by the way.

[sboyajian]

Originally Posted by P_Roberts

Ok I'm going to be the first to call B.S. sboyajian has apparently taken a blow to the head and thinks he is building a smoking room that his wife not only approved of but thought up. Any BOTL in the area need to get him to seek medical attention and explain to him that he is building a sewing room.

The sewing room looks like its coming along great by the way.

She already has a sewing room upstairs

Hell.. not only did she think it up, but at 8 months pregnant, I can't even get her to stop helping.

[ffup]

Originally Posted by sboyajian

She already has a sewing room upstairs

Hell.. not only did she think it up, but at 8 months pregnant, I can't even get her to stop helping.

Yeah, Yeah, another little one in the house in a few weeks...

I have read this book before, let me tell you what is in the next chapter. The next chapter is were you find out that you have been building your new sleeping quarters, so don't skimp on workmanship.

[tx_tuff]

Damn you guys sound bitter. Believe are not there are some very good women out there that love their husbands! My wife says all the time she wish we had an extra room so I could make a man cave and smoke in it. There really is such a thing as a good and happy marriage.