"Francisco, Honika and the HomeBreakthorugh team always do a wonderful job in coming up with ideas and designs that we wouldn't think of, and which often will save us money. They are also very responsive to requests, questions, and concerns. We are very happy with our basement. Home Breakthrough has also done a bathroom and a kitchen reno for us as well. Very good work, and reasonably priced."
"Top Remodeling's basement renovation was a game-changer for us. The extra living space is now our family's favorite spot. Great workmanship and attention to detail."
"Arms Home Improvement exceeded our expectations from start to finish. Allen was involved at every stage of our kitchen remodel, helping us refine our ideas and enhance the space's function and safety. He was incredibly responsive, explaining every detail carefully, and respected our schedules as we work full-time from home. Allen was on-site consistently, maintaining an orderly workspace, which made the process smooth and predictable. His craftsmanship is top-notch, and his ability to turn our vision into reality was impressive. As with any remodel, there were some unexpected challenges, but Allen quickly adapted and provided thoughtful, high-quality solutions that reassured us of his expertise. We trusted his product recommendations, and they were always spot-on. The quality of materials and the precision of his installation speak to his deep experience and attention to detail. I can’t recommend Arms Home Improvement enough – the results are outstanding, and we couldn’t be more thrilled."
"Great experience working with Jeff, he provided ideas to improve the layout of the basement and maximize the space. Very detailed and respectful, definitely would recommend him."
"I would absolutely recommend Best Homes LLC. Jonathan and Jeffrey did an excellent job on my basement remodel. I was on a time crunch to sell my house and urgently needed to remodel my basement by building a full kitchen with wet bar, installing wood floor and stairway, interior painting, and light fixture replacements. They promised to complete this in a month, but got it done in less than 30 days, all without sacrificing quality. It was so stunning, just one week after they finished, I got an offer on my home. I have never seen a group of people work in such a coordinated, efficient, and diligent manner. His separate teams for plumbing, electricity, carpentry, flooring, and cabinet and appliance installation were extremely punctual, professional, and dedicated, sometimes working well into the evening. They never missed a schedule. The quality of their work was supreme. All county inspections passed. Jonathan also went above and beyond to accommodate my change orders along the way, and turned out very nicely. Above all, their pricing was very reasonable and more competitive than most quotes I got. I want to say thank you to Jonathan and the team and wish Best Homes LLC continued success!!!"
"I purchased a Big Deal on Angie?s List this week and I got a good one. While I sent the short list of items that required repairing, my biggest concern was the wall hung "floating" bathroom vanity cabinet and sink that only a few days before had seriously separated from the wall, I was really concerned. Edvin R. of Edram Construction and I exchanged messages and within two days he arrived precisely when promised. Frankly, I was impressed by the way he carefully examined the condition/installation of the sink/vanity cabinet and since I?m the kind of client that wants to know why and how, I?m appreciative of his clear explanations to me on what had not occurred during the prior contractor?s installation. There was no exaggeration on his part, he not only showed me he explained his plan for repair and got my concurrence. He did exactly what we discussed. Simply put the vanity cabinet broke in the back under the weight of the approximately 60 lb. sink. The weight of the sink needed to be transferred to the studs. An Italian made Nameek vanity I paid a lot of money for had broken in the back and the vanity?s sides compromised. This was no quick fix. Ed really did step up, he carefully removed everything got the sink properly installed on the studs and repaired/replaced/reinforced the vanity?s back and sides. Looks great plus it?s now actually safe. So glad to have found such a knowledgeable contractor. He is meticulous about his work and it?s clear he takes pride in a job well done. He?s the kind of contractor that doesn't want a call back for shoddy work rather he wants repeat clients with calls back for more work. He's earned my trust. Ed quickly took care of the toilet paper holder, put a new silicon bead where needed, (not just the sink area), tightened down a loose outlet at sink and repaired/reinforced the kitchen cabinet door that was pulling away from its slider. The most used cabinet in the kitchen, it contains the trash bin. I really like his work ethic. We talked about future work, the need for permit and insurance and his return to replace a front porch handrail and post, as well as to talk about a planned basement remodel. I?m a happy homeowner today! One more note? the weather forecast called for about 5 to 6? of snow. We got about a foot, but Ed was determined to make sure he completed my indoors list and that I was happy with the work before he left. I give Edvin R and Edmar Construction my highest recommendations.
"He's been working for me about 12 years now. They have done everything in my house and rental properties. He did plumbing, additions, HVAC, painting, electrical, and framing. He did everything. He's excellent, always does a great job. He also did a roof for me."
"Great experience, had Mark remodel our master bath, removing a tub and installing a walk-in shower. Excellent tile, plumbing, electrical and drywall work. Mark has a great work ethic, was here every morning and worked throughout the day. We also had him install kitchen cabinets and paint our basement, extremely satisfied with everything. He can pretty much do it all very well."
"They had wonderful customer service and they were very personable. They completed everything in a timely fashion and made sure to get my input throughout the drywall install and finishing. I needed one of the basement walls waterproofed before they could finish installing the drywall and they were very accommodating. I am very happy with my finished basement."
Unless you have extensive experience in construction work, remodeling a basement is best left to a professional. There are several tasks associated with this project that require exact precision, including:
Replacing insulation
Replacing carpet or other flooring
Adding heating and cooling
Adjusting or adding walls and doors
Altering or adding plumbing elements
If any of these elements is done incorrectly, it could severely impact the quality of your basement remodel and be dangerous. Changing a basement often comes with code safety requirements, like egress windows and proper ventilation. Therefore, leaving it up to a professional is often the best decision.
For most basement remodels, you’ll want to hire a general contractor. This is for a number of reasons, but the main two are that general contractors have dedicated teams they are comfortable with, and hiring one means you only have to deal with one pro. You may also get a better project quote since they can lump all their work and subcontracting into a single quote.
You should always use high-quality lumber for your framing in order to ensure it will last the test of time and resist moisture. Use 2-foot by 4-foot lumber that is pressure-treated for your framing.
Adding an extension or addition to your home costs more than a loft conversion in all but the rarest cases where the home's structural integrity is lacking. Because a home addition requires a new foundation section or significant structural upgrades to handle a cantilevered portion, the cost compared to almost any loft conversion is significantly greater for the same square footage.
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.
The Adamstown, MD homeowners’ guide to basement remodels
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Find out the average basement remodel cost in Washington, DC. Learn what you can expect to pay for local basement finishing and plan your budget today.
Looking to add more living space to your home? Read on to learn how much it costs to build a room addition in Washington, D.C., based on factors like location, type, and size.
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.
