"We hired matrix because we had a huge basement that was not finished. I researched many companies and got several quotes, and we ultimately went with Matrix. I can say from start to finish, the experience was awesome."
"Donavan and Mike were great. They totally stripped my bathroom and then installed new drywall and ceiling., painted it. New tub and shower, vanity, fan, lighting. Fixed a major plumbing issue discovered by a 3rd party. All for about the same money we were quoted for just the tub area."
"I would like to thank Community construction for the work they did with the remodel / rework job they did on my manufactured home in the Yankee Springs / Middleville Michigan area. I recently have expanded my family and need to convert an extra living room space into a bedroom and a smaller sitting / tv room. The Gentleman "Nate" who worked on my home did a great job. Nate communicated with me every step of the way to make sure I was always informed of what was going on. thanks again."
Mills Design and Management, LLC is a family owned company, providing quality service to home owners in southwest Michigan. We pride ourselves on our expert ability to handle each situation. With over 25 years of experience, our staff is highly skilled, and trained. We specialize in basement remodeling, additions, custom barns and garages, and disaster restoration services, from smoke, fire, water, and storms. Our work is never finished until you are completely satisfied and happy. Please call us today, we are looking forward to serving you.
"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."
"Kyle and his guys did a wonderful job . I contacted him on a Wednesday and he was there the next day to work on my roof . Him and his team did a great job and had the job done in less than 24 hours of contacting him. Well worth the money and have had him do multiple other jobs for me. Being a home owner something new always comes up and he’s my go to guy for any project I may need help with. Not only is he efficient and does a great job but he’s a great guy and is always willing to help. Would definitely recommend him for any project big or small."
"I gave Andrew some blueprints for a mud kitchen I had found on Etsy and he put it together and stained it within a day! It was the perfect birthday present for my daughter. Would hire again!"
"Rob and his brother did a fantastic job on our basement. They were prompt and professional. They also made a point of cleaning up at the end of every day they worked so I didn't have drywall dust tracked through the rest of the house. Rob did a fantastic job finishing the drywall and making it ready to prime and paint. The price quoted was very reasonable. I would use them again if I needed any construction. "
Joists and beams are both part of the flooring system above your basement, with the beams spanning the length of your home and getting support from vertical posts underneath, and joists usually spanning half the width of your home with no support posts underneath. The floor joists provide even support to the subflooring and flooring above, and they distribute that load to the beams. The beams then distribute that load down through the support posts to the foundation.
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.
Yes, you can add a kitchenette to a basement. However, you’ll have to consider the costs associated with basement kitchenettes. If you’re starting from scratch in an unfinished basement, you’ll need to account for brand-new plumbing, electrical, flooring, and more in addition to the cost of the kitchenette. If you’re putting a kitchenette in an already finished basement equipped with plumbing and electrical, you’ll save considerable money.
Yes, it is possible to turn a regular basement into a walkout basement. Doing so involves excavating the land around at least one side of your basement foundation, installing retaining walls to create a permanent below-grade area outside your home, and then cutting into the foundation to install an exterior door that leads out to the new space. This is an expensive and time-consuming project, but it can add a lot of value and utility to your home.
Create a checklist, reimagine the space use, set a realistic budget, choose materials and aesthetic details, and get professional support for guidelines and troubleshooting.
The Portage, MI 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.