"We recently completed a basement finishing project with Matrix and are happy with the final result. As with many large remodeling projects, we ran into a few issues along the way. A flooring material delivery delay pushed the project timeline back by a few weeks. The shower panel was scratched during plumbing installation and had to be replaced, and there were several electrical items shown on the plans that required follow-up visits to complete correctly. We didn't discover until after the drywall and painting were finished that the framing team had missed the wood backing specified in the plans for our TV mounts, which was never resolved. Despite these challenges, our site manager, Jim, was responsive, professional, and easy to work with throughout the project. He was available when questions came up and helped address issues as they arose. While the project wasn't without hiccups, Matrix worked to resolve concerns, and we are enjoying our new basement."
"This was a remodeling job. Ed finished 800 sq ft of basement. Framed walls, drywall, insulation, electrical outlets, suspended ceiling, lights, installed doors. (Flooring was done by a company he recommended.) He impressed me by carefully listening to what I wanted and provided valuable advice throughout the design and execution of the work. He started work promptly and skillfully coordinated the work of his employees and subcontractors so that there was very little downtime. Workers were very competent, friendly, and respectful to us, the homeowners. I highly recommend him for any type of remodeling or new construction project and would use him exclusively in the future. I want to recognize him for his quality work, competence, helpfulness, honesty and integrity."
"We are very pleased with the entire project--from demolition to final details. Our new basement is wonderful--everything we had hoped it would be. It was great to work with Brawny Builders. They are great at communicating throughout the entire process and are reliable. You can trust them to do great work!"
"Matrix did an excellent job installing a bathroom in my basement. Steve was incredible in coordinating the different work that needed to be completed and there were many variables for him to juggle. My bathroom shower is probably the nicest in Southeastern Michigan (not bragging - I'd post pictures if I could). Steve's teams did an excellent job getting everything done and making it look as luxurious as possible. The only constructive feedback I have for the company is that the pricing was very steep considering that I believe many steps in the process may have been eliminated; the sales rep was not familiar with every scope of work necessary which made things confusing for Steve (the Project Foreman), and there was an additional individual whom I never corresponded with which made me wonder if there are too many folks involved to keep the pricing affordable. I paid to install the bathroom what I wanted to pay to complete the entire basement and I had to complete some of the work myself to include painting and flooring installation. Overall the quality of the work is tremendous, however, I still think there's opportunity to restructure the approach to completing projects that could drop the pricing down for the consumer. I would definitely hire the company again as they do incredible work and I couldn't be happier with my completed bathroom."
"The work was good for the most part. I was pleased with the actual work downstairs and the pricing but I was disappointed in a couple of things like they missed some of the door from the way out to the basement. They also said that there would be no dust or dirt in the kitchen but when we were out there, there was dust on the stove so I wasn’t pleased with that. I understand that workers have to use the bathrooms but water was shut off and no one could figure out how to turn on the water so they did their business, opened the toilets and never flushed them; all three toilets of the house. I was very not pleased with that. One would think that somebody that is in construction business could go in the basement area and figure out how to turn on the valve so that they could flush the toilets. It was gross. They ripped out everything down in the basement and that part of it was fine; I thought that they did a good job there. The price was very good."
"Vendor could provide foundation service, but not one of the other services we requested (simply not a service this vendor performs); we therefore chose a different path. Vendor provided a detailed and valuable foundation report that was essential towards our efforts, so we are very grateful for that. We will seriously consider this vendor for future work."
"Alberto was able to complete the entire list of tasks I had left for him and his workmanship and pretty good. He patched, sanded and painted all the holes in the walls. He connected the water and ice maker to the frig and installed two bi-fold doors in the basement. "
Family owned business connected with all our people. Provide a safe working space with all your projects.We met your expectations with no problem our people communicate well. Have many years of customer service support we are a responsible and respectful rewarding trust ,safe company. Interior/Exterior Remodeling projects- kitchen and bath, room additions, dry wall, paint, flooring, roofing ,electrical, plumbing, etc.. \nWe are Bilingual
"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!
Installing a bathroom in a basement isn’t a project for most homeowners. Many parts—plumbing, electricity, and carpentry—go into this project, each requiring expert-level knowledge and tools. One miscalculation can lead to very expensive repairs. Plus, some homeowner’s insurance might not pay for damages caused by a homeowner DIYing this project. You can protect yourself by allowing the pros to complete this job for you.
A finished basement does not always count as square footage, as this varies by state regulations. In areas that allow below-grade spaces to be included in a home's official square footage, the basement must typically meet certain conditions. These conditions often include having a functional egress and being a livable space with flooring, finished walls, and temperature control. To be certain, contact your local assessor to confirm your area's specific policies regarding basement square footage.
Yes, most general contractors require an initial down payment. A reasonable deposit is typically between 10% and 25% of the total project cost, although this can vary by project size and location. This upfront payment helps the contractor cover initial costs like materials, permits, licensing, and hiring subcontractors. The remaining balance is usually billed according to a schedule outlined in your contract, often tied to project milestones or completion dates. Be cautious of contractors who ask for a large deposit of 50% or more, as this could be a red flag for a scam.
Basements are commonly converted into game rooms. The potential challenges you may run into include controlling moisture, working with low ceilings, limited natural light, and the need for additional electrical or HVAC work. Addressing these issues can add to the total cost, but it ensures a comfortable and functional space.
Yes, you can add a bathroom to an unfinished basement, but you’ll want to take proper precautions if doing so. As with any bathroom addition, you’ll need to make sure that it’s approved by local building authorities first. With unfinished basements, you especially need to keep an eye on proper ventilation practices.
The Baroda, MI 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.
