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It's frustrating as a "good guy" contractor to hear stories from family and customers about their terrible contractor experiences.  Just this past week I have heard from my mother-in-law and a customer about the contractor that asked for all the money before they were done with the job.  So now the contractor won't finish the job and they didn't build the job right.   This is why contractors have a bad reputation.   There are a lot of good contractors out there, so here are some questions to ask the contractors you are interviewing.  And then you can make an informed, educated decision.

20 Things To Ask Your Basement Contractor

1. How long have you been in business?

2. Is your company a full service or specialty firm?

3. Are you licensed?

4. Are you insured? For how much?

5. Do you have a showroom?

6. How many employees do you have?

7. Do you offer a warranty?

8. Can I call references?

9. Can I go visit some of your past or current jobs?

10. When will you start?

11. When will you finish?

12. Do you offer financing?

13 .Do you do all the work yourself or hire subcontractors? ?

14. Will you be pulling the permits?

15. Do you have any products specially designed for my basement?

16. What makes you an expert at what you do?

17. I don't want any surprises. Will I be getting a detailed drawing, scope of work and guaranteed price?

18. Where will I be making my selections?

19. Do you have a designer to help me with my selections?

20. Why is your price so different from the other quotes I got?  What did you include or leave out?

The answers to these questions will help build comfort in choosing a good contractor.    The contractor should be licensed and insured.  He should be pulling the permit and be able to give you references for past and current jobs.  Do your homework.  Be smart and ask the proper questions.  Shopping price isn't always the best decision.

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I get a lot of questions about using basement finishing systems to build basements.  And it's a great question.

In years past contractors were forced to use traditional construction materials when remodeling a basement because that is all that was available.  Through the years, I learned a few tricks to adapt to basement construction; like building the walls out from the concrete walls so they can breathe better, installing sub floor systems to keep the carpeting off the concrete floor, and using moisture resistant insulation and drywall.  All this was to encourage longer life of the finished basement.

Now there are many new basement finishing products on the market designed for building in a moist, damp, humid environment.  I have recently discovered a new product that I am particularly fond of.  Matrix Basement Systems.  Matrix uses a thermal panel wall system that nearly doubles the insulating properties of drywall and fiberglass insulation.  There are no wood studs, fiberglass insulation, or harmful organic products used in their wall system.  This system is made from non-organic, non-toxic, green materials.  Because non-organic materials are used in this wall, it is mold proof and water proof.  Not only will this material last forever, but they guarantee it with and exclusive lifetime warranty!

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As a wise budgeter, you have planned to reuse that old refrigerator from the kitchen to save some money on the bar in your basement.  While this seems to be extremely practical, and fiscally responsible, reusing the old refrigerator could be a stain on your beautiful new bar.  If you didn't like that old fridge in your kitchen you most likely will not like looking at it downstairs. 

A common theme in basement bars is to incorporate an undercounter refrigerator.  Undercounter refrigerators come in two styles; free standing and built-in.  Free standing models are the more affordable of the two, pricing around $100-$400.  These are typically what a student would buy for their dorm room.  A more desirable look would be select a built-in refrigerator.  This option doesn't require an air gap around the unit for air flow so you can snug the fridge up to the cabinets for a custom look  (photo right).  Built-ins are a pricer option starting at $1,000 and quickly go up from there.

Design Reminder - When designing your kitchen or bar, it is ideal to have your appliances picked out before hand.  This will insure that your new appliances have the required space in the new design and all electrical and plumbing requirements are known before construction starts.

Photo: Finished Basement Plus.     Project Location: White Lake, Michigan

 

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So... your thinking your basement could add  a lot of valuable living space to your home?  You're  right.  If you have a basement, you can increase the square footage of living space in your home by 30-50%.  But most people haven't the slightest clue what a project like this would cost.

Remodeling projects will vary greatly in price based on size, finishes, quality of material and workmanship.  So it is very difficult to figure out what your project might cost without talking to someone and getting a quote.  But there are some generalities to make sure you're thinking in realistic terms when it comes to budgeting for a basement project.

Home builders often use a square foot price of $100 per sq.ft. when talking about new construction.  Most contractors don't bid basement jobs in terms of square foot price, but for the sake of understanding costs, that is what we will be talking about.  A simple basement; floor-walls-ceiling-electrical, no bath or bar, might run in the range of $30-$40 per sq.ft.  When you start to add in cabinets, granite countertops, plumbing fixtures, pricier floors, and architectural details like archways, molding and ceiling treatments, that average can quickly go up to $50-$70 per square foot.

In order to help get a realistic frame of mind, finishing 1000 sq.ft of your basement will probably cost $30,000- $60,000.  Again , there are a wide range of factors in determining the cost.  Call a professional contractor to quote  your families needs.

 

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Whether your basement is finished or unfinished we all know what it is like to walk into the basement and have that moist air hit you in the face.   Well that moisture needs to be controlled so that the cool basement walls don't develop condensation on them and potentially lead to mold growth. 

Energy Star rated, SaniDry Basement Air System will eliminate damp, musty odors in your basement by drying and filtering the air.

The SaniDry is a powerful and effective dehumidifier that will handle jobs that are too much for standard dehumidifiers.

The SaniDry dries the air and automatically drains the water so, unlike conventional dehumidifiers, you never have to empty it.

The SaniDry takes three times the amount of water out of the air as a typical dehumidifier, yet uses the same energy.  This system has a powerful blower to draw musty air in and replace it with dry, clean air.

You will not have high humidity or musty orders in your basement if you use the SaniDry Basement Air System.


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How awful would it be to have your sump pump fail and ruin your finished basement, and then to learn that you are not properly covered for it?

If you are like me, you sat down with your agent to discuss your homeowners insurance coverage and how it works, only to forget the moment you walked out of his office.  Well now is the time to revisit the discussion.  Call your insurance agent before you start any home improvement project to make sure you are properly covered.   Two very important points to cover with your agent.

Home Replacement Cost -    You will want to let your agent know how much you need to add your policy to cover the  new construction and new furnishings.  Don’t assume your policy will automatically pay for  the increased replacement cost of your improved home.

Back up & Sewer/drain coverage – Most Homeowners Policies include a very limited amount of coverage for damage due to Backup of Sewers or Drains.  The average amount of coverage built in to most policies is $2,500 .  This would not go very far to clean up the mess and replace floor covering, damaged walls and furnishings.  Higher limits are available, but you need to contact your agent to find out.

If you can’t get the appropriate coverage you need with your current agent, then it’s time to find a new one!

Information supplied by: Don Bourdeau @ www.albourdeau.com

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We love us some - Holmes on Homes.  See attached link for great article on why your basement leaks and solutions on how to fix the problem.

What to do about wet basements, post spring thaw.


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