"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 was the pro that did the work (drywall a room in my basement), he was very nice, very timely and kept me informed all along the way. He cleaned up every day and completed the work according to schedule. I would definitely recommend WMA and Donavan, and use them again for my home projects."
"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. "
"The new floor installation went great! I love the finished product, it was what I had imagined I wanted before I found Devin to do the work. This was a new floor installation however I know Devin is well versed in several areas of labor such as roofing and bathroom remodels. I would trust him for most if not all of my general remodeling/maintenance needs and would absolutely hire again for my next project, as well as recommend him to all close friends and family. Extremely satisfied, thank you Devin!"
"The repairs went well, the quality was great. The repeated calls to actually get them to show up was very unprofessional. I will not hire them again."
Hi my name is Joe Letson. Owner of new age home improvement. We specialize in home repairs like roofing, painting and drywall work, and installing trim. We have been in business for over 20 years . We are on time and neat and pay attention to the details of are work.
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
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.
A finished basement must have a heat and electrical supply with an entrance that meets building code requirements, such as a stairwell to the home's main living space. It often must include finished walls, ceilings, and floors. If the finished basement includes a bedroom, it should have a heat source, an egress window, and a closet.
Remodeling, as opposed to finishing, means altering an already finished basement by adding a bathroom, bedroom, or living area.
The time it takes to finish or remodel a basement can vary significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months or even up to a year. On average, the construction phase can take four to eight weeks, but the total project time can extend to three or four months when including planning and permits. The timeline depends on several factors, including the basement's size, design complexity, the scope of the work, and your contractor's availability. A more detailed breakdown for an average-sized basement might include: framing (3-5 days), electrical and rough-in plumbing (3-5 days), drywall installation (5 days), flooring (2-3 days), and final touches like painting and trim (about a week). If preliminary work like installing a waterproofing system or addressing structural issues is needed, the timeline could extend to six to twelve months. Factors like difficult access, material transport, and ventilation needs can also add to the project's duration.
Basements with persistent moisture problems or flooding shouldn’t be finished until the moisture issues have been fixed. In addition, if your foundation is cracked, you have unmitigated radon levels, or you have asbestos or lead pipes, remediate the underlying problem before finishing your basement. Turning a basement into living space before fixing these issues can lead to serious health risks or structural damage.
The Scotts, 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.