Julie, the very beginnings of pretty much any project is to get your ideas on paper, drawing them out on graph paper or such can help out. Then decide what your budget is for the project and adjust your plans as needed.
Great answer Dan as always. First determine the use of the space. Will it be used for a TV room, crafts, guest bedroom, rec room. Then determine your budget, next a design can begin. Now find a competent team to help you with your dream.
Julie...great answers from the Hometalk gang as usual leaving me with only one thing to add.... go on vacation until the desire to finish the basement passes....
Seriously, follow Dan and Lee Annes' advice and you're in there...
I agree. Sometimes a homeowner begins with calling in contractors first, to get estimates. But until plans are drawn, you don't know if your estimates are comparable. How do you know if each contractor is visualizing YOUR vision. Start with a designer or design/build firm to define your vision on paper, then get your estimates - apples to apples comparison, as the saying goes.
use sites like Home Talk, Houzz and Pinterest (and google image search!) to do your research first and find some inspiration. You need to work out what you like / what you want / what you need. Nothing worse that seeing something half way through a project and wishing you'd done that!
Seriously, follow Dan and Lee Annes' advice and you're in there...