"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."
"What a great job this team did at our house in Watervliet, Michigan. Needed a few new windows and called Dave. Everything went smoothly, no hiccups. Just so pleased with the craftsmanship and customer service. Thanks Dave and Team. Another job well done. Deb Veyette"
"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 did a bathroom remodel with Brawny Builders. It went great. Bronson and his hard working crew arrived promptly each day and did all the work as promised and always cleaned up their mess. They tore out our old shower and closet and replaced it with a large ceramic shower and a new floor. The bathroom is beautiful and we love it. We would not hesitate to hire them again and would very much recommend them."
"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."
"It was a small job. They sealed the vents to the crawlspace, then, since there was already solid insulation panels on the walls, put a vapor/moisture barrier, in the form of a tarp, 4 feet wide and as long needed, completely around the crawlspace. It was then sealed to the walls with "nails" and adhesive. This seals the wood frame of the house from the 'Outside", the ground, which is the floor of the crawlspace. A 20 mil thick, quite heavy, "floor" was installed, also in the form of a tarp, It went up the walls about 3 feet and was taped to the 'tarp" on the walls, using a tape made for this application. The piers were wrapped with the same stuff and taped to seal the inside from the outside. the "floor" is also a vapor/moisture barrier, but, heavy enough to walk on if needed. This basically makes the crawlspace another room, rather than the outside. Our house is one year old and was already getting mold on the floor joists. Since the air in the crawlspace will now be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, just like the rest of the house, the mold and cold (52 degrees) floors we experienced last winter will hopefully be eliminated. We shall see when dumb winter gets here."
"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. "
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.
A walkout basement is considered to be partially below grade because at least one wall is entirely exposed. In some cases and in specific municipalities, inspectors and appraisers will still count walkout basements as below grade, which means the space can’t serve as living space or be rented out. If you intend on using the area as living space or a separate apartment, you should check with your local building department to make sure it’s legal to do so.
Save money on your basement finishing project by making cost-effective decisions such as minimizing structural changes and avoiding costly construction revisions. DIY simpler tasks such as painting or basic cleanup to reduce labor costs. You can also opt for energy-efficient fixtures and materials that may qualify for rebates or tax incentives.
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.
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 Bridgman, 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.
