ArcaMax

A basement that’s high and dry gives a home untapped usable space under cover. It’s often partially heated, making it very livable and comfortable. That’s why many refer to a basement as a bonus room.

An eyesore in most basements is the Lally columns or structural vertical support poles that cannot be removed. We found a pole wrap made of a flexible, half-inch oak, maple or cherry veneer that is completed with two coats of polyurethane. It’s also available as pre-sanded MDF panels ready to finish to match your décor. The pole wrap has a flexible backing and comes in 48-by-96-inch sheets, so it fits most support poles. The material is installed with construction adhesive and has trim to finish off the top and bottom of the pole.

To cover two 4-inch diameter support columns with caps and bases, a contractor will charge $564, which includes labor and material. You can buy the material for $402, do it yourself and pocket a 29% saving. To cut the material to length you’ll need a fine tooth saw, miter box and utility knife. You’ll need finishing nails to add the caps and bases to the poles. For more information go to www.polewrap.com.

Reinventing a basement as a new living space is a great improvement, but the biggest challenge may have nothing to do with the space and has everything to do with getting rid of the stuff that’s accumulated down there.

Pro Cost: $564 — DIY Cost: $402 — Pro time: 2.0
DIY Time: 3.0 — DIY Savings: $162 — Percent Saved: 29%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2026 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.