"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."
Although homeowners often use the terms basement remodeling and basement finishing interchangeably, they are quite different terms.
Finishing a basement is the process of taking a basement space that is not habitable and adding elements to make it usable. This includes adding plumbing, flooring, and insulation.
Remodeling a basement means taking an already existing finished basement and changing it, often by adding or removing walls, adding plumbing, or changing the existing flooring.
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.
Physically, the most challenging part of finishing a basement is installing egress windows or doors when the space is below ground level. Mentally, the hardest part may be envisioning the project and planning around load-bearing and mechanical obstacles.
Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.
Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.
Envision the type of bar experience you'd like to create for your guests. For example:
Does your basement have enough finished space for bar stools or seating?
What type of additional lighting would set the tone for the room?
Are there basement windows or an HVAC system?
Do you need new plumbing in your basement for a proper wet bar?
Could you be happy with a built-in wall cabinet bar rather than a full-scale wet bar?
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.
If your basement ceiling is low, there are ways to raise it. Learn more about the cost to raise a basement ceiling to be able to enjoy your basement and create a more usable space in your home.
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.
