"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!
If you have the woodworking experience to build a bar from scratch and you have the time, DIYing the work is a no-brainer and can save a few thousand dollars. However, if you’re looking to include a sink, additional lighting fixtures, or high-end bar tops and cabinets, it’s usually a better idea to call in a pro. It will cost more, but the finished product will likely be worth it.
Finishing a basement can provide a great return on investment, by increasing the market price of your home when you want to sell. Beyond that, there are many reasons to finish your basement. Doing so expands the usable square footage of your home, so you can enjoy it more, even as your family grows. Renovating your basement costs less in terms of time, energy, and money than having to search for and buy a new home.
Adding an extension or addition to your home costs more than a loft conversion in all but the rarest cases where the home's structural integrity is lacking. Because a home addition requires a new foundation section or significant structural upgrades to handle a cantilevered portion, the cost compared to almost any loft conversion is significantly greater for the same square footage.
Yes, barndominiums can have basements. Barndominiums are typically built over concrete slabs, so barndo basements are not very common. However, it is possible to include a basement in a barndominium blueprint as long as you’re building completely from scratch. Barndos can have the same types of basements as traditional homes, including full or walk-out basements.
Any bowing in a basement wall indicates a problem that needs to be addressed by a professional. If your basement wall bows more than 1 inch, it's time for an inspection. Generally, a wall can bow up to 30% of its thickness (around 2.5 inches for an 8-inch-thick wall) before it becomes an urgent situation. Bowing of 2 to 4 inches is more straightforward to fix than bowing of more than 4 inches, which will require significant repairs. If the bowing is more than 6 inches, the wall will likely need to be replaced. The sooner you address the problem, the easier and less expensive the repair will be.
The Lovelock, NV 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.
