1) What was your main goal in building/renovating your Rec Room? (i.e.: to build a home theatre, great sound, a home bar or wine cellar or adding value to your home?)
We wanted a place where the kids could have a free reign - but at the same time we needed the space to put our TV and we wanted it to still work as a place where we could enjoy a movie - long after the kids had gone to bed.
2) Was the room initially a finished or unfinished space?
It was a largely unfinished space - a whole lot of small dark rooms
3) Did you use an architect or a designer, or did you plan the room yourself?
We used an architect to create the actual space including the elimination of multiple rooms. We consulted with a designer but ended up using a lot opf our own ideas when it came to the look and feel of the room.
4) Did you hire a contractor or was this a do-it-yourself project?
Given the scope of the project we did use a contractor - and we are glad we did - despite the cost
5) How long did your Great Rec Room project take to complete?
All in - about 7 months
6) What was the total cost of your project? How did the final/actual budget compare with your planned budget /
In the end it was close to 90,000 - but a lot of that was the actual structural work. We did not go in with a planned budget - and we wish we did. It did end up costing more then we thought it would -
7) What was the single most expensive item in your project?
The actual tear down and build portion - we not only knocked our pillars and walls - we also increased the windows to add more light as it is in a basement
8) What is your favorite part or item in your new Great Rec room?
I like the two red leather chairs -I feel they stand out - they take the abuse the kids throw at them - but also feel very "adult" when we go to enjoy a movie. My husband likes the hidden wires - and the built in cupboards that hide the audio equiptment. The units look like they are fixed - but are mobile if we ever move - (of course after this we won't anyway)
9) What is the best way, or your favorite way, to show off your new Great Rec Room? (throwing a party, playing pool, playing a DVD)
Letting our friends children play with ours in the rec room - and not worry about them touching or damaging the Plasma set or audio equiptment
10) What is the one key piece of advice you would offer to others thinking about the same kind of project?
I would spend more time thinking about a budget in advance. My husband wishes we had created more wiring behind the walls etc to support phones lines , computers etc