Basement Remodeling Archives


Does anyone know if in order to sell my house, I need to bring my lower level finished basement to code?

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 pm  
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Question by BryGuy: Does anyone know if in order to sell my house, I need to bring my lower level finished basement to code?
We bought our house two years ago, and now or selling. We already have a buyer and they had an inspection done on the lower level. Which, there inspector found that it was not finished professionally....which our inspector missed!(that's a whole nother story)
The new buyer is trying to stick us with all the "remodel" total looking to be between 5k and 9k, Depending on how much needs to be redone.
Do we need to bring these things up to code, or can we say, that's the way it was take it or leave it??
We are in Wisconsin, and the house is only 7yrs old. Apparently it was the last owners that finished the lower level off, and none of the "code problems" were brought up durring our inspection.
Lowering the price of the house is not an option, we are already at the low point that we can go.
We are considering offerring to pay for 2k of the repairs, and letting the buyer pay the rest.
We are not in a "need" to sell point, my wife is wanting to go back to school, and if she isnt working full time we would not be able to afford living here

Any help would be great!

Best answer:

Answer by answers smartass
the house has to meet all building codes before it can be sold

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I want a sink in the “Cellar” or “Basement”…?

Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 1:15 pm  
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Question by J: I want a sink in the "Cellar" or "Basement"...?
Basically we were interested in a house. The problem is the basement/cellar. There's basically nothing down there but it's being "remodeled" to have a floor, lighting and at least one good window.

But when asked about a bathroom - the answer was no for the toilet and shower. I didn't get a reason, just a message on my phone saying "uhh we can't do that".

I can settle without a second bathroom, but can it really NOT be possible to have a sink? That's the most important.

Best answer:

Answer by Sean C
If the floor is currently dirt, then they dig a trench from the main stack/drain to where you want the future bathroom.It is done all the time in older homes. Then cement the floor and your good to go. If there is already a concrete slab, cut for trench.

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Basement Remodel

Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 1:54 pm  
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S. Grant Architect, slideshow (no sound) of Residential remodeling of a basement, 1400 SF. This was part of a custom home design (new from the ground up) for a family in Chicago, IL USA. Full Bar area, Full Bathroom, Full Kitchen, Storage & Mechanical Rooms, Built-In Bookcase & Storage, Custom Maple Wood Audio/Video Entertainment unit, Spray Foam Insulation, Acoustical Ceiling, Wood-look vinyl Floor (low maintenance), Recessed downlights. Contemporary, Modern House design. Location: Chicago, IL USA, circa 2004 visit: susangrant.net

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Basement Remodel

Sunday, January 15th, 2012 at 3:28 pm  
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Basement has a bedroom/workout room with flat panel on wall, closet and storage room off of, a spacious bathroom with custom cabinets, granite top, marble floors, crown molding, linen closet, double sinks, a toilet room, urinal (for the cave man lol) a very spacious shower (all marble with a shower head, rain head and 6 spray heads), finish is Ralph Lauren Metallic with Ralph Lauren candle light on trim. Hallway has custom sconces with Ralph Lauren Suede paint, Wine cellar has slate floors, custom sink, custom mahogany wine racks, wall unit with exotic marble tops, 2 wine coolers, tasting area and solid mahogany door with wrought iron and glass. Entertainment/Ballroom has marble floors, custom trim package with pediments separating Livingroom, closet and bistro eating area with arches that will have picture murals in them, entertainment room also connects to the custom oak bar with judges panel, bar has 2 sub zero fridges, ice maker and dishwasher, dual sinks with custom wall unit behind, glass tiles as back splash as well as around mirrors on wall unit, setting this bar apart from any other is the fabulous water wall behind the bar with custom lighting, relax as you have your beverage, then head over to the concession stand for your favorite candy before heading to the movie theater where you can enjoy your favorite movie on a 103" screen with the all new Bose 8.1 surround system. Outside the movie theater you can put your favorite movie posters on custom built, lit ...
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Basement Remodel OFallon Call 314-200-0313 For Free Estimate MO. If you are looking for Waterproofing OFallon, Basement Picture OFallon, Basement Pictures OFallon, Basement Contractor OFallon, Basement Design OFallon, Basement Finish OFallon, Basement Remodel OFallon, then you have come to the rightplace. Our experienced local company offers all the services you need. Call 314-200-0313 today.
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Small Basement Remodeling

Monday, May 9th, 2011 at 12:31 pm  
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In the City that Never Sleeps - New York, a common issue faced by homeowners and renters is the limited space that their living units have to offer. Naturally, they would want to add more to their living area. But one common mistake they commit is looking at the wrong places and having the wrong ideas. When wanting more space, it doesn’t have to take tearing down walls and moving either sideward or upwards. What you should consider first is exhausting every possible way to maximize unused space within your home. This makes a small basement remodeling one great idea in extending your living area.

With a small basement remodeling project, space is not the only issue. Being an area in the home which is often left to keep old things and gather cobwebs, sprucing up the seemingly concrete vault will also pose a challenge.

To create a comfortable and inviting space out of your small basement, your best bet would be having a qualified local contractor to help you out in the remodeling. Unless you are one yourself, a good NYC contractor is your surest way in achieving high quality results in your small basement remodeling project. Most processes in every stage involved needs ample skills to undertake. Some of the key considerations include hiding the drain lines, enhancing lighting and ventilation, ductwork and wiring, and controlling moisture.

In small basement remodeling, you should first take care of the essentials. Is your basement prone to flooding, and water and moisture problems? Are there cracks in the foundation? Are the gutters free from clogs? These and a lot more questions and issues should be attended to if you want to enjoy your remodeling project results in the longest time with the least maintenance required.

No matter how you plan on using your remodeled small basement, there are several elements that could help you achieve a more spacious and welcoming look out of its original dungeon-like features.

Colors

In choosing paint or wallpaper colors for your small basement remodeling finish, lighter is better. Light colors seem to open up space making your limited space seem roomier. You can also make use of painting techniques and wallpaper textures that also help in maximizing space.

Lighting

Lighting is another element that plays an important part in your small basement remodeling project. To create an illusion of more space, you should maximize your use of this element. To make most use of natural light, you can add windows or widen existing windows. For areas not accessible to natural light, choose fixtures that offer intense lighting.

To maximize the effects of bright lighting, you can have mirrors installed on the walls or ceilings.

Commonly, ductworks are visible in the basement ceiling. If this is the case, you could have to opt to have a lower ceiling or have some them boxed creating an uneven ceiling. In both cases, you could use lighting to cover up the flaw. By strategically positioning radiant fixtures, your need for higher-looking ceiling will be met.

Features

The rest of the furniture, appliances and other features needed to be integrated into the small basement remodeling finish should also fit into the available space. When shopping, look for compact, space-saving designs that would still serve functional.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Basement Contractor New York. For a free estimate, use our Basement Calculator


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Why Basement Remodeling?

Sunday, May 1st, 2011 at 9:08 am  
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With the long-running housing crunch in New York caused by the influx of people wanting to be a part of it; smaller living units have become the more popular choice posing as the more affordable option. Naturally, one thing that New York homeowners would have in mind when thinking of undertaking a home improvement project would be more living space. Instead of gaining a home addition that requires tearing down walls and extending the area of your homes, the best possible solution is exhausting the possibilities that any unused area in your home has to offer. This makes basement remodeling an ideal project.

Now you are thinking, ‘Why would I want to use my dungeon-like basement when I could extend and create another floor above my roof or enlarge an existing room?’ To answer this and lay out more benefits, here are several points explaining why basement remodeling is the best way to go:

. Basement remodeling is a lot cheaper to work on to add square footage to your current living area than a full home addition. Even with most or with every same feature and design, it would only end up costing just a chunk of the whole budget that a full-scale home addition amounts to. With the latter, there would still be a need to not only demolish any existing wall or roof, you would also have to rebuild another to surround the additional expanse. But with remodeling your basement all the crucial structural foundations are already built like the walls, flooring and ceiling.

. Unlike other home improvement projects, basement remodeling involves an area which is not much frequented and is quite isolated. So even when the project is undergoing, you and your family will not be required to put up with so much of the hassles such as the noise caused by the ongoing construction as well as the traffic of contractors and other workers going about their works.

. Being literally surrounded by earth, the basement is typically cooler even if the sun is sizzling hot on summers and warmer during chilly winter months. So no matter what finish you plan and come up with, it will surely be enjoyed with the added benefit of its energy-efficiency.

. The ready availability and easy access to plumbing makes adding another bathroom or a kitchenette ideal. You can do your basement remodeling to result to a luxuriant personal spa, turning every inch of your basement into a haven of utter comfort. But even if you have other plans, the new room could still make good use of the added bathroom or kitchenette. This idea would not only considerably boost the quality of living in your home but add real value to it as well.

. When thinking of the best finish for your basement remodeling project, you can take advantage of the compact nature of the structures making up the basement and its intentional remoteness from the rest of your home. These characteristics make up for utmost privacy as well as great sound proofing. You could opt to have a playpen, home office, music room, and home theatre out of the project finish.

These enumerated, excellently answers why basement remodeling. Another consideration to include in your home improvement project is a qualified basement remodeling contractor. With this, you are just some steps away from project success.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Basement Contractor New York. Feel free to use our Basement Remodeling Calculator.


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How does basement remodeling affect resale value? Westerville

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011 at 12:49 am  
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How does basement remodeling affect the resale value of your home? Al Cloern, owner of Basements Unlimited answers your questions concerning Basement Remodeling for Westerville and Upper Arlington Ohio.

How does basement remodeling affect the resale value of your home? I would be misleading you if I told you I could tell you that exact amount a basement remodel will add to your home value. Because every neighborhood and area is totally different; and how much you put into your basement remodeling project is obviously going to have a tremendous impact on what percentage you get back out of your finished basement.

I can tell you that I get many clients telling me all the time that they sold their home because of the way the basement was finished. It was remodeled just like the rest of the house, if not better and that sold the people on their new house. When choosing to remodel your basement look for a contractor that will create a living space that will look and feel like the rest of your home.

A finished basement not only gives you as the current home owner a comfortable place to entertain, watch TV or hang out with family, it also gives potential buyers the same advantages. A basement remodeling project can add to the overall comfort and function of a home, when you have additional living space to offer it will increase the benefits to the home buyer looking for the best home for their budget.

Al Cloern is an expert in basement remodeling who regularly contributes articles and videos designed for the home owner faced with a basement finishing project. More pictures, articles and videos on this topic are available at: http://www.BasementsUnlimited.net or watch the videos only at http://www.youtube.com/user/BasementRemodeling


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Things to Know About Basement Remodeling

Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at 11:52 pm  
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With smaller living units most common in New York City, a universal issue faced by almost every homeowner is the need for more space.  The continuous housing crunch and never-ending influx of people into the Big Apple is making things worse for homeowners.  When it comes to your most space-efficient way of adding to the living space of the family, nothing beats undertaking basement remodeling.  So whether you are in Long Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island; it pays to know everything about basement remodeling before undertaking the project.

Basement remodeling is never an easy task.  So to avoid falling into the home improvement pitfalls here are the keys to a successful home improvement project:

.     Ideas from where you would work around to achieve the basement finish that complements the lifestyle and existing needs of the household.  

.     Establish a realistic budget and timeline.

.     A plan and not just any plan, but a well-detailed one.  The plan should be comprised of a layout that creates the most functional way to make use of the space, a design that brings out the most appeal in the finish but still complementing the overall design of the home, and building codes that should be met.  

.     Hiring a qualified general contractor would be the best way to go through this project.  A basement remodeling project involves a lot of processes which may be complex to the layman.  Plumbing, electrical wiring, waterproofing, insulation and a whole lot more are involved.  With a general contractor, you would save yourself from all the hassles of screening contractors again and again for one task to another.  

Sure a home addition can be another option.  But a basement remodeling project has some advantages over a home addition.  

+    It affords homeowners a good cutback on project budget and a shorter timeframe.  With remodeling your basement, the structural foundations are already there: the walls, ceiling, and flooring.  A home addition on the other hand would still require demolition of an area where the addition would be extended and construction of new foundations.  .

+     The typical nature of a basement offers more privacy and the earth surrounding it makes it naturally warm during winter months and cooler when summer heat strikes.  The earth also makes up for great soundproofing.

+     The ready access to plumbing, electricity and other such amenities makes adding an additional bath or kitchenette so much easier.  This added project, aside from the basement remodeling finish would surely boost your home’s value and bring improvement in the family’s quality of living.

These given benefits though, entail some challenges when it comes to designing the basement.  These challenges also make the role of your general contractor all the more important.  When basement remodeling, one has the option of relocating the ductworks, HVAC systems, and support columns.  But this option can be very expensive.  With expertise, experience and a good amount of creativity; working with and around these challenges is possible.  Another very important thing to address before finishing the basement is its water and moisture problems.  Waterproofing makes the project result of higher quality and last longer than expected.

Eugene Makeev uses his skills and expertise to help home owners in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island avoid basement renovations Long Island pitfalls by matching their needs with prescreened remodelers NYC.

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Basement Remodeling Ideas

Sunday, February 20th, 2011 at 10:08 am  
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Basement Remodeling

Basement remodeling can be a great improvement to your home. If you haven't properly waterproofed your basement, are you prepared to throw thousands of dollars down the drain? Here's a few things you should look for to see if your basement needs to be waterproofed.

Basement Remodeling Ideas and Things to Consider:

1. Does your basement feel damp? If so, you might want to reconsider remodeling your basement.
2. Have you noticed water seepage on the walls?
3. Do you have peeling paint on basement walls?
4. Have you seen mold or mildew growing anywhere in your basement?
5. Do you smell a musty or moldy smell in your basement?
6. Do you basement walls have cracks?
7. Do you have flooring in your basement that is cracking or lifting?
8. Have you noticed rust on pipes, furnaces or other metals in the basement?
9. Do you have efflorescence (white or brown powdery substance water leaves behind on concrete) on your walls

Basement ideas are great, but if you have seen one or more of these symptoms, you need to call in a professional waterproofing contractor right away! A waterproofing specialist can inspect your basement and determine not only where the water is coming from but also how to stop it.

Many homeowners will wait on their dream remodeling idea, because they know it can be damaged. Investing thousands of dollars into a remodeled basement is a wonderful idea, until the water comes. Nothing is worse than looking at saggy, soaking-wet drywall and wishing you had invested into a waterproofing system first.

In short, before you spend thousands of dollars on a remodel project, you need peace of mind that your efforts will not be in vain. Without proper waterproofing, your remodel will be ruined in a matter of months if not weeks. Make the right decision. You'll be thankful in the upcoming years.

Damion Rutherford is the online marketing director for www.Wet-Basement-Waterproofing.com. Offering FREE referrals and advice... www.wet-basement-waterproofing.com line resource for anyone experiencing water problems in their basement.


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Things You Need to Know About Basement Remodeling

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 at 7:23 am  
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Whether you're living in Boston, MA or way up there in Juneau, Alaska, having adequate and usable space inside the house is one main and comfortable feature that most homeowners would want in their homes. In the current state of the economy that the country is facing right now, getting a bigger house may not be a cost-effective, or even a wise decision to make. A room extension or an additional section that will be built around the existing structure of the home may be the next best solution, but this will also entail considerable cost that may also go beyond the budget.

The most logical solution to make is to make use of unfinished areas in the house like basements or attics. A basement remodeling can be a very cost-effective way of utilizing unused spaces in the house and convert them into a practical living space. According to expert home builders, this type of project can also increase a home's inherent value by turning a previously useless space into something great for family use, recreation, home office use, or any other practical uses that a homeowner can think of with this additional space.

The Many Possibilities Available with Basement Remodeling

Aside the more obvious result of getting additional usable space from basement remodeling, homeowners can think of a whole variety of possibilities that they can do with this additional space. It is important that homeowners know beforehand what they are planning to do with this additional space so that their designers and contractors can streamline their work in accordance to this goal. The following are some of these possibilities that homeowners can discuss with their home builders.

* A multi functional basement is a great possibility and choice to make. The basement can be divided into sections each with each own function and allocation. Examples of sections include a games area, an audio/video section, a children's den or even a bar.

* The basement can also be sectioned and designed as guest's quarters. These can have small rooms plus an additional bathroom. Guests can stay there when there is a need to sleepover, or teenaged children can move down from their shared rooms with other younger siblings.

* A basement room can also be converted into a home office space or a workshop for crafts and hobbies. It can be used as an audiovisual room or a computer area for your home network. The possibilities are only bounded by what you can think of.

Things to Consider with Basement Remodeling

Before jumping in and taking action with your basement remodeling project, it would be wise to pause for a moment and take these few considerations into account first. The first and most important thing to consider is whether your basement is fit for remodeling or not. The area might be infested with molds or severely affected with water damage that heavy remediation and restoration work should be done first.

In such cases, it is quite imperative that the area be checked first for leaks, cracks and fissures where water and moisture can seep through. The walls and flooring may need extensive waterproofing work done or there may be serious structural repairs required before any additional basement remodeling work can be done.

In several cases, ductwork, pipe work and other household facilities run or pass through the basement. If this is the case, make sure that there would be enough headroom for people to walk through before you even decide on initiating remodeling work. You can relocate these ductworks if you have the budget for it or you can have a customized ceiling for your basement room that will work around the ductwork or even take them into the design.

The last consideration to take before you initiate your basement remodeling project is to inform your home insurance agent and work out a modification in your policy. There would be additional costs but you can be prepared for any untoward eventualities usually associated with basements like sewage backup or water damage.

Basement remodeling can increase the utilization of your home so the homeowner and his household can truly enjoy the benefits and amenities from their abode. It is truly a wise investment to make that will not only add to the home's inherent value but also to improve the comfort and way of life for its inhabitants.

Roger James Martin is a fully licensed General Contractor and Team Leader for Divisions Unlimited Inc, an environmentally conscious Custom Home Builder specializing in new custom home construction, custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, and bathroom remodeling for residential or light commercial properties.


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