"Nick was one of the best contractors I've ever worked with. I have done significant remodeling projects in the past and know the difference between the good, bad & ugly! He was creative, meticulous, and very easy to work with. His prices were reasonable and I was able to stay within my budget but still have an excellent finished product. Can't recommend him enough."
"Ian does an amazing job. He remodeled two of my bathroom and was easy to work with and careful to make sure everything was done exactly the way I requested."
"My job had many facets as I was selling the home. Dan bid all the work in a timely manner, handled all repairs structural and punch list on time and on budget. He documented all structural repairs with photos. Dan advised on how to proceed on repairs after the structural engineer had given his report. I had water damage that involved ripping the entire bath tub area and sub floor out with structural studs needing replacement. We never met face to face only by phone and email. Dan is honest true to his word and was a pleasure to work with. I would hire him again and again. My phone calls were always returned bids accurate and on time, job completed as scheduled."
"Amanda was really very good! At first I was very skeptical, thinking why did I pay money to just speak with someone on the phone about my kitchen remodel project... but after just a few minutes of her addressing some of the issues/questions I emailed to her earlier, I knew it was worth it. It was very clear that she knew her business and she gave me several ideas that I had not even thought about. I told her that I would definitely recommend her to friends and I will very likely use her again myself for my next home project!
"Fair on his pricing. When he said he was gonna do something he did it. He did a good job. He did a good job that's why we keep on using on him. He was professional."
If you have the woodworking experience to build a bar from scratch and you have the time, DIYing the work is a no-brainer and can save a few thousand dollars. However, if you’re looking to include a sink, additional lighting fixtures, or high-end bar tops and cabinets, it’s usually a better idea to call in a pro. It will cost more, but the finished product will likely be worth it.
When considering finishing your basement, take into account a few pros and cons:
Pros
Can increase the value of your home
Separate space from the rest of the house
Customize and personalize the basement to suit your needs and style
Increase the amount of living space in your home
Cons
May not regain enough value to cover the cost of finishing
Lack of natural light if it’s below ground level
Moisture or flooding can cause costly damage
Installing plumbing and electrical can be messy and costly
The best type of basement ventilation system depends on your budget, the moisture in your basement’s air, and the types of windows you have down there. You should consider all of these factors when choosing a ventilation system. However, the most effective method for basement ventilation is an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) or a whole-house ventilation system, which preheats or precools incoming air from the outside while also managing water vapor.
Adding a bathroom to your basement can increase your home value since homes with multiple bathrooms sell for more. The return on investment (ROI) for a basement bathroom is 50% to 75%. The actual return varies with your home and location. Adding a half bath to your home increases the value by 2.9% while finishing a basement increases the home value by 6.6%.
Permits may be required for major repairs, structural work, or electrical and plumbing restoration after a flood. Check with your local building department to determine permit requirements and associated fees for your flooded basement cleanup project. Obtaining the correct permits helps ensure work is done safely and up to code.
The Broadford, ID homeowners’ guide to basement remodels
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Hiring a bad basement remodeler can wreak havoc on the look and longevity of your unfinished space. Here are red flags to look for as you vet basement contractors.
