"It was a steady process. Of course there were hiccups along the way, but with Renaissance & myself working as a TEAM on this project, everything was done & done well. I do believe that is KEY on any project, especially one of this size. I told Jamie at the beginning of the project that communication was VERY important to me. Jamie was quick to address any questions or concerns I had. He picked up my calls every time. I will hire Renaissance Restoration for all home improvements and/or updates."
"One of our rental homes had a bad house fire. We had to gut it down to the studs, kept the exterior siding, but everything else had to be replaced, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, plus walls, floors, ceilings, bathroom and kitchen. The works.
Tyler from SimpleFix ran the project with his crew, kept in great communication, and stayed on it until we were satisfied with the finished work. His estimate was accurate, and we have received rave reviews from tenants about how grateful the place looks since then. We've continued to use SimpleFix for many projects since then, and we keep coming back to because they communicate promptly and get the work done right.
We highly recommend SimpleFix, and we often refer them to friends and family, too."
"Very professional. Attention to detail. Becky went out of her way to accommodate my hours and availability. Tom was courteous, friendly, professional and gave good advice and recommendations. I would hire this company again."
"We had Janke Custom Tile completely remodel our master bathroom. Kevin and his team Kevin's and his team with and his pricing was very reasonable. They started and completed the job exactly unschedule. The workmanship was excellent. We're very pleased with a new master bathroom. I highly recommend Janke Custom Tile for any of your tiling projects."
"He has remodeled our living room, a bathroom, bedroom, and roofing and siding on the outside. He is reasonable priced and upfront about what he can do and what the costs are going to be."
"After dealing with a lot of obstacles ( none brought on by the builder) we have a beautiful home. Clark Builders have been patient through the entire process and the home is very high quality. We made changes from the original layout and they were very accommodating and gave us exactly what we asked for. We are very happy with Clark Builders."
"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!
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.
Yes, most general contractors require an initial down payment, typically between 10% and 25% of the total project cost. This upfront payment helps cover the costs of materials, permits, and subcontractors. The remaining project costs are usually billed after specific project milestones are reached or on set completion dates, as outlined in your contract. Be wary of contractors who require a significant deposit of 50% or more upfront, as this could be a red flag for a scam.
Whether it’s more affordable to gut a house than build a new one depends on the markets where you'd be buying and selling. However, it’s usually less expensive to renovate a home than to build new construction.
Most homeowners pay between $100,000 and $200,000 for demolition and remodeling costs, whereas the average cost to build a new home is between $139,000 and $531,300.
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.
If you’re not sure which method of raising the ceiling is best for you, here are a couple of considerations to help you make that decision. A professional ceiling company will be able to help you determine the best option for your home.
How long you are planning to live there: although raising the basement ceiling will increase the value of your home, if you’re planning to sell the house, then go for raising the house.
The condition of the foundation: to lower the floors, your foundation has to be intact whereas raising the house will allow you to restore the damaged foundation.
The Zilwaukee, 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.
