Hey, so I lurk here quite a bit but don't post simply due to the fact that I just don't have the time/money to put into my Bronco. Someday, someday.

Anyways, I know we have other DIY'ers as well as some pro's so I thought I would put this out there. I'm finishing my basement and because I'm doing it on a budget and paying cash as I go, anything I can do myself, I'm doing. I've got framing and electrical done and am getting ready to start on adding the registers and return air for the mechanical. The house is only 8 years old and the furnace/AC unit was installed with the idea of a finished basement so I should be good there. I'm finishing ~600 sqft into one big room, a bedroom and a bath. I'm planning on adding one register and return air in the bedroom, two registers and a return air in the big room and a register in the bathroom.

The way the builder installed all the lines off the supply trunk for the upstairs is they have the take-offs coming off the top and going between the joists. They centered the take-offs between the joists so I can't as easily just place another take-off right next to one in the spots I need. I have seen side take-offs and these would work based on how I built the soffit but I don't know if this would rob the air from the other take-offs or just not get as good of air-flow or if that is even acceptable based on code (yes, I pulled permits so this will get inspected).

If side take-offs are a no-no, can I simply just move a take-off over the inch or two that I need and place another one right up against it? Essentially the two would just share one big square hole into the trunk.

Outside of the connecting points, I really believe I can install the ducting myself and save myself some cash on install. The quotes I've gotten so far to add 4 registers and two returns have been in the $1000-1200 range and I'm hoping I can save some.

I know I probably left out some crucial piece of info so let me know if I did and I'll happily answer.

Thanks!

Adam

Awesome, thanks for the confirmation on the side takeoffs. That makes it pretty simple then. Two of the four registers will be going right over the two windows so at least I'm inline there. The returns will be near the floor across the rooms from the registers and I am planning one making those just slightly larger than the registers.

Really appreciate it!

Adam

Definitely seal the seams like zillacon suggested. They require pressure checks up this way now on all systems... cheap to do since your labor is FREE!! :)