Do it yourself- Sweat Equity- Basements

Coming into the winter, I always would look for a good inside project, and there is nothing better than heading to the basement. For this project I did hire a drywaller, and I also contracted out the carpets. I can do drywall, but I have never mastered it. I always joked I would apply 10 gallons of mud than sand off 8 gallons. I also remember that one house I bought that had an unfinished second floor. I told my wife, no problem I would take care hanging drywall and mudding. I spent six months working nights and weekends and had only finished the bathroom and master bedroom. I called a drywaller I knew. He came and hung and mudded three bedrooms, and the hallway. He was in and out in five days! I cried, I mean I really cried, and swore never to do drywalling again! 

The sweat equity projects I took on were painting and installing the drop ceiling. Panting is always a great sweat equity project. It only takes a little time, and it does not cost much to buy the primer and paint.

The drop ceiling was a little more changeling, but I found plenty of YouTube videos to keep me on track. There is one tool that is a must for your ceiling project, it is a self-leveling laser level. 

In the end, I covered some old dark brown paneling with drywall, changed the ceiling from a 2x4 tiles to a modern looking 2x2 tiles, painted the walls a lighter color, and installed some carpet. This project added value to my home, made the space more appealing, and was a place my grandkids enjoyed hanging out.