"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."
"Bronson was really easy to communicate with and answered all questions and concerns in a timely manner. Work was done efficiently and professionally. Most important no LEAKS!!!"
"Rob does quality work and he also has good ideas that helped us on our remodeling plans. He always kept us well informed of his schedule. Rob is also very good at keeping the work area clean. He is very good at cleaning up at the end of the work day."
"Precision Interior was very professional and got this job done very quickly. This was time sensitive and they didn't disappoint. I would recommend them to anyone needing work done around their house or business."
"Gerardo is a very professional businessman, kept me updated on his arrival time and went the extra mile to provide the necessary services. I will call on him for future tasks around my new home."
"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.
"I feel extremely fortunate to have found Vicki through Angie's List ! She is an extremely talented person who is very easy to deal with. She has a breath of knowledge that allows her to accommodate my tastes, but also ensure that the overall design is in sync with the design and location of my home. She has a very diplomatic way of suggesting when I'm going astray with my choices and in every case where she has told me "Trust Me" I have been delighted ! She is very aggressive in helping me find the best pricing and often times will work with the vendors directly hence saving me the time. She also has excellent local contacts. Everyone I've worked with through Vicki has been timely, professional, and highly competent. My project is far from complete. I intend to continue to use Vicki and her expert advice until the end !!!!"
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.
While bathrooms and kitchens are nearly equal in terms of renovation difficulty, kitchens are the most challenging. Kitchen design, layout, electrical, and plumbing needs all depend on each other for the success of the entire project, and mistakes early in the project can cause trouble later on.
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.
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 Sodus, 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.
