"We had a great experience, from our initial meeting with Robert to discuss the bid, to our interactions with the work crew who were working at our house for over a month. Everyone at Portico has been very responsive and a did a great job meeting our needs and adjusting to the unforeseen complications that come with finishing the basement of a 70 year old home. We were extremely pleased with the end result and use our new basement all the time! "
"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!
"He was really easy to work with on what I wanted him to do on this deck project. He also provided some ideas on it as well and they turned out great. I would definitely recommend him on any build he is very knowledgeable on just about anything."
"Rough Cut was hired for some front/back door work. Derek did high quality, custom door modifications for me and I was very impressed with the overall experience. Derek is a true Professional!"
Lorber Building Company is an owner-operated residential construction services company specializing in home design and construction. We can accomodate your building needs for anything from a small addition to a new home. Our goal is to exceed customer expectations. We have current and local references available for contact. If you are looking for a contractor that follows business practices such as promptly returning phone calls, arriving on time to appointments, building to all state and local building codes, and following through on promises, call Lorber Building Company today.
While framing a basement is not as difficult as finishing a basement, it's something you should typically leave to the pros. That’s because if something is installed correctly, it will affect your entire basement. However, you can take care of some of the smaller tasks, like filling holes or putting up some insulation.
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.
Basements are commonly converted into game rooms. The potential challenges you may run into include controlling moisture, working with low ceilings, limited natural light, and the need for additional electrical or HVAC work. Addressing these issues can add to the total cost, but it ensures a comfortable and functional space.
You should always use high-quality lumber for your framing in order to ensure it will last the test of time and resist moisture. Use 2-foot by 4-foot lumber that is pressure-treated for your framing.
Yes, in most cases, finishing a basement is worth the cost. The project adds valuable, usable square footage to your home and typically provides a return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 75%. For example, an average basement refinishing project costing $32,000 could add between $22,400 and $24,000 to your property's value. The final value added depends on factors like your location, the quality of materials and workmanship, and the features you include, such as a living space, bedroom, or bathroom. To be officially counted in your home's total square footage, the finished space must comply with all local building codes, including requirements for points of egress. However, in areas prone to flooding, a finished basement might be seen as a liability by potential buyers and could potentially decrease your home's value.
The Wheaton, MN 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.