When a child leaves for college, the Military, or just moves out to live on their own, it’s often difficult for parents to deal with. If you are in this situation remember these 3 things…

1. Your son or daughter isn’t moving away from you — they are moving toward his/her own life. That is something you should be proud of and admire.

2. Your child is moving into another phase of his/her life, and you need to also.

3. Stop lying in bed, crying, calling your child every five minutes and REMODEL!

When a child comes into your life, there is an unwritten contract that you will be putting their needs ahead of yours for the next 18 years – or until they leave home. Now that you’re child-free it is time to put your needs first, without feeling guilty. We have compiled some ideas for what to do with that Empty Nest of yours and other remodeling ideas to escape the reality of your child leaving, even if for only a bit.

Remodeling your empty nest in the basement – if you’re like us, your kids occupied the basement for the majority of time and now you may be afraid to even venture down there without gloves and a respiratory mask (we were all teenagers once). The problem with neglecting your basement is it’s generally one of a home’s most comfortable & cozy spaces. Additionally, according to a 2014 Remodeling Magazine report, a basement remodel or basement finish in the Colorado area on average, recoups up to 81% ROI, compare this to a Kitchen or Bathroom remodels which will recoup 72% and 64% respectively.

Ideas for remodeling your empty nest in the basement…

• • A home theater in the basement is a great way for you and your spouse to escape the reality of an empty nest and it is a remodel that doesn’t have to cost a fortune to implement. On average, adding a home theater to your basement will run $7,500-$18,000.
  • “An in-law or guest suite is a hot trend in the basement finish world” according to MikeCasimiro of Casco Construction Corp, “There are thousands of homeowners in ColoradoSprings, and several in the Flying Horse community where I live, that have decided to move one or both of their parents or elderly loved ones into their home and we are retrofitting old bedrooms, storage rooms, etc with large bathrooms, walk-in closets and walk-out sliding glass doors. The key to having the perfect in-law or guest suite is designing it to their present and future needs.”
  • Grandchild Bunkhouse or Play Areas – bonding with your grandchildren may be the bestway to cure your empty nest blues. Reliving your youth through them is the greatest curethere is… Creating a play house in the space under the stairs of a basement is a fun, creative and inexpensive way to welcome your grandchildren over.

Empty Nest Therapy

Is there a better place to have an entertaining, fun and beautiful outdoor living area than in Colorado Springs? Simply, no. With the kids out of the house, and less foot traffic scuffing up the deck, loosening the rails, and their friends spilling drinks on the deck, now is as good of time as any to rebuild… Many decks in the Flying Horse area are framed with “white” un-treated lumber and sometimes painted which ultimately reduces the life expectancy of your deck to 7-10 years. If your deck isn’t southern yellow pine and L3 pressure treated then this is a perfect time to create the deck of your dreams… This can be a fun project for you and your spouse to work together on designing and being a part of the process and ultimately helping ease this emotional period. Similar to remodeling or finishing a basement, doing a deck addition averages 81% ROI in the Colorado region, according to Remodeling Magazine.

Empty Nest to Exercise room!

Colorado Springs was just named the fittest city in Colorado, squeaking by Boulder for the first time! Many professionals, from Dr. Phil to Bob Vila recommend an exercise room as therapy for empty nesters. A savvy and functional workout area can be added to your home without much fuss and with all the workout equipment right at home and available any hour of the day it’s not hard to turn into a fitness freak in no time.

An adult playroom is the new and cool thing and many homeowners, both young and old, are remodeling rooms to entertain in. Without the kids at home, there is more time to play and host card parties and painting parties…use this time to create a fun, entertaining and therapeutic room for you and your spouse to enjoy.

This article was contributed by Casco Construction Corp, a commercial and residential builder and remodeling company in Colorado Springs, CO. See more on their Facebook page

This post was written by Casco Construction Corp.