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morganj955 t1_jcuvhmq wrote

Is there any way to get a bathtub or shower down there? That would be a great addition for anyone in the bedroom down there

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Traditional-Camera-4 OP t1_jcv1pgh wrote

This is something I originally wanted but backed off on. We don't have overnight guests very often. A shower makes the most sense in the back corner, but the toilet is already plumbed to go there so we would have to dig up the concrete and move a bunch of stuff. I was content letting this one slide given that we have three other full bathrooms in the house.

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Blacknight841 t1_jcvi1fr wrote

There is value in having a full bath on the same floor if you plan on having a bedroom on that floor. It isn’t necessarily about having guests often, it is about resale value. I have seen a lot of home remodels, and there is nothing more annoying than someone having to climb stairs to use a shower. If you have the ability to do it now, it worth doing it.

Also keep in mind that if you chose to not put in a tub/shower, then how close is the is it to the bedroom. I have seen houses where the basement had a bedroom, with the closest actual full bath being on the second floor. The first floor only had a powder room. In that case a guest had to walk up two flights of stairs to use the shower. I would absolutely pass on a house without a close full bathroom to a bedroom, even if it is only for guests.

On another note, personally I would avoid carpet in the basement. If you are set on carpet, just make sure you have an adequate moisture barrier installed.

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Traditional-Camera-4 OP t1_jcvpvp1 wrote

Yeah, I hear you on all points. If I had unlimited money I would 100% put the shower in. I can count on one hand the number of times in the past 10 years a basement shower would have been used, so I'm cool without it and the house has enough other selling points if it came to that.

I'll give it another honest look, though. If I can get a reasonable quote for the work I'll reconsider.

Thanks for the carpet tip. We want it to feel cozy and feel like hard floors will really take away from that. I think we were looking at some berber style but I hadn't looked into moisture barriers.

Appreciate your comment!

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Likesitrough16 t1_jcwbe4r wrote

Do the shower, you instantly move into a new category of buyers who search for 4 beds 2 baths instead of 4 beds 1 bath. (Or 4/3 instead of 4/2) but you know what I mean.

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SpoonNZ t1_jcwdh5i wrote

On that note, put a closet in the office of there’s an egress window, and now it’s 5/3.

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fixITman1911 t1_jcx8ise wrote

2 points for you:

>I can count on one hand the number of times in the past 10 years a basement shower would have been used

You are completely changing your basement, basically turning it into an apartment. I would be thinking about this design from the perspective of a future "In-law" suite. To be used in the future by an older family member, a Teen child gaining independence, or simply for the resale to the next owner.

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For the flooring, Luxury Vinyl Plank all the way. Get some with a good base padding and its really nice to walk on and looks amazing too. Super easy to install.

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lateralus1983 t1_jcwy51v wrote

You can plumb for the shower and install it later. The difference in resale would probably be at least 2x your costs

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jpelliott10 t1_jcwexs9 wrote

Seems odd the builder would rough in a toilet and not a shower. Even without a shower I'd make the bathroom bigger, at least 5x6 with a minimum 30" vanity. No need to do a cramped half-bath in such a big basement.

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