Anna & Ed's Rec Room

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?)

Trying to create a space that let us enjoy movies as a family and let my husband put in the bar he always wanted. All this had to be done while not eliminating the space as a playroom for our two young boys 

2) Was the room initially a finished or unfinished space?

It was finished - with a mid 80's rec room feel - bad carpet, paneling up half the wall and 80's track lighting  

3) Did you use an architect or a designer, or did you plan the room yourself?

We did it ourselves largely because the layout of the basement restricted our choices. For example their was really only one wall that worked for the big TV and really only one space the bar could fit without taking over the entire basement. 

4) Did you hire a contractor or was this a do-it-yourself project?

A combination.  The flooring ( from carpet over concrete - to laminate over a DriCore sub floor) and the bar were done by contractors and pros - and the painting, lighting and drywall was done by my husband 

5)  How long did your Great Rec Room project take to complete?

6 months of work - spread out a little as contactors timing always changes

6)  What was the total cost of your project?  How did the final/actual budget compare with your planned budget?

Still putting together the final touches but it is over $35,000 but that includes the TV, the bar , all the furniture, the flooring and the subflooring installation.  We also had over 15 doors and cupboards that needed replacing (combination of need and desire - the old ones were pretty mangled) When we started the project we thought it would cost between $15 and $20,000 - but that was before we knew how much the bar was going to cost. 

7)  What was the single most expensive item in your project?

The bar (or pub as my huband likes to call it) cost nearly $12,000 but is way nicer then I ever thought it would be- so even I don't mind.  We had it built by a Toronto area company called Pub Concepts who build full bars and pubs - but clearly know how to build a nice home bar as well.   

8) What is your favorite part or item in your new Great Rec room?

Mine would have to be the look of the floor vs the old floor - my husband would vote for the bar (sorry - Pub)

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)

Sitting in the chairs (or at the bar) and watching and listening to the Eagles DVD - Hell Freezes Over concert

10)  What is the one key piece of advice you would offer to others thinking about the same kind of project?

We changed some older pot lights in the ceiling with a "kit" that allowed you to repalce the pot light look with a halogen light.  The kits were approx $14 each - and modernized the room more then anything else