Choosing a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor depends on how you want to use your space. You can push outward spending 80 thousand on an addition. Or you can reach inward spending 40 thousand modifying your basement into usable living space. For most homeowners, the basement is nothing more than a repository for junk or storage for essential services such as the furnace, water heater, and laundry. Turning a basement into a finished living space ranks among the top 10 remodeling projects, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).
Not only does the project bring life to an underutilized space, but it also boosts resale value. According to the NARI Remodeling Impact Report, homeowners can recoup almost two-thirds of their costs for a basement conversion. While NARI estimates the cost to finish a basement as approximately $40,000, a DIY version can cost a lot less, especially if you’re creative with some of the basics and judicious with using your Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor
How to Choose a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor
Clarify the vision
Start by defining the purpose for the space. Will it be a mother-in-law suite with a half kitchen and full bathroom? Or a rental apartment to generate income? Or will it be an entertainment center with a wet bar, big screen TV, home theatre, and pool table? Or the most popular option, his and hers’ offices with coffee bars and half bathroom. Home gyms and yoga spaces work well in basements. Since basements tend to have lower ceilings, you won’t be able to bring in tall exercise equipment. Making aesthetic upgrades with brick or stone can take the finished basement to the next level and greatly add in resale value.
Older basements were never intended to be fully functional living spaces. Some newer homes may be constructed with this build-out feature in mind, but homes older than 30 years typically used basements as utilitarian and storage spaces. Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor will advise you of options to transform your basement safely and functionally.
Moisture
Basement finishing is all about moisture. Moisture and leaks can curse a basement, finished or not. Consult a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor specializing in waterproofing and water-related repairs. If you can successfully manage the moisture, you can build practically anything in the basement. Even features that traditionally are not supposed to go in a basement—wall-to-wall carpeting, for one—can be added with no problem.
If you have significant moisture, you may not even be able to finish your basement. Moisture is the factor that disqualifies most basements from renovation. Cracks can be sealed with special caulking for this purpose and the floor can be regraded with stone flooring. Even if you have a trickle of water that runs along the floor and into a drain, you can elevate your flooring using a substrate meant just for basements.
Minor moisture problems can be treated safely with water-lock paint. A dehumidifier can draw in moisture-laden air and collect a great deal of that moisture before it can condense on the basement walls and ceiling.
Musty odor
Don’t forget about air quality when remodeling the basement. Despite your best efforts to keep moisture at bay, musty smells can still develop over time. If you skip air quality, the finished basement will be underutilized. An air purifier could help, so shop around for the right fit. Units can start as low as under $100 and check that the unit is large enough for the space.
All mold contaminated surfaces should be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum to trap the mold spores while releasing clean air, unlike traditional vacuum cleaners. Next, a professional will spray and wipe down the once contaminated surface with microfiber cleaning cloths to fully remove the spores. Most effective method to prevent musty odors is a dehumidifier set to 40 which will keep the air dry and moisture free.
Light
Basements cannot rely on natural light; the bulk of the lighting duties is borne by artificial lighting. Basements tend to be cold, dark, and insular. Additionally, their unique nature, basements are not for every use. If you are building out your basement as an apartment for a sunlight-loving family member, you’ll have difficulty to add enough windows and sun tubes for that person. However, basements are ideal for other uses that don’t need much light. Home movie theaters depend on low-light levels and dampened acoustics for better performance.
Most basements have only minimal lighting. However, with the height restrictions, you may not be able to install the kind of lighting you want. For this reason, recessed or can lights be popular in basement remodels. Recessed lights provide a significant amount of light, and they tuck neatly up into the space between the floor joists of the level above. Track lighting does well in basements because they are recessed into the ceiling. Ceiling fans and chandeliers are limited by ceiling height.
Wall System
Walls are installed in basements for a few reasons. They make the space more aesthetically pleasing. They make it easier to run electrical wires and provide spaces to install receptacles. Additionally, walls enhance temperature control. Walls often have no structural value in the finished basement. However, inherent moisture problems make steel studs a good option because they do not rot, and each stud possesses perfect dimensions. Foam insulation is preferred in basements since fiberglass insulation can develop mold.
Electrical Plan
When finishing your basement, you must provide a certain number of electrical outlets to comply with electrical code. If a bathroom is part of the basement plan, that bathroom needs the full complement of electrical work, just like you would install on upper floors: a lighting circuit; a circuit for the bathroom exhaust fan; and GFCI outlets. Consult a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor specializing in code compliance and licensed in New Jersey and New York.
Heating and Cooling
In some homes, heating and cooling work perfectly well on their own. During winter, the basement remains warm since earth is a good insulator. During summer, the basement stays cool since it was located below ground. Most homes’ basements will need some type of supplemental heating and cooling system. Electrical baseboard heaters are a good way to provide fast heat. Also, consider the fact that existing HVAC ductwork may be running through the joists of the floor above, which you can tap into for your basement space with the help of a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor.
Egress Requirements
Egress, or the exit point besides the doorway, is an important consideration if you wish for the basement remodel to include a bedroom. Most local building codes will have egress requirements for finished, habitable basements. If you don’t have sufficient egress points already, you may need to create a large window to fulfill this requirement.
Flooring
Since basement flooring can get expensive, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a water-resistant option. LVT results in huge savings compared to traditional tile installation. For a more industrial look, refinish or repaint concrete and use large indoor-outdoor area rugs. If you are converting a dirt floor into a concrete floor, you will need the help of a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor.
Painting
If you’re installing new walls, a pro will do it better and, in less time, than you can. Hire someone to put up the walls and finish the drywall. However, do the painting yourself to save money. Choose a light color, to help offset any lack of natural light. Remember that the walls need to be clean, or the paint will not adhere correctly.
You need to use waterproof paint in your basement to keep condensation from forming between the concrete and drywall and to keep mold and mildew from growing in the basement. If your basement has concrete walls, waterproof paint can reduce the amount of moisture that seeps through the walls.
Epoxy resin and hardener, epoxy paints are super tough and durable. Besides being resistant to staining, cracking, and peeling, these paints will leave your concrete basement walls and floors with a satin finish. However, they’re hard to apply than acrylic paints.
Ceiling
For a ceiling, you have three options here: sheetrock, ceiling tiles or painting. Ceiling tiles can be extremely useful in the basement since they make it easy to access water or sewer pipes and electric lines. However, ceiling tiles are somewhat troublesome to install and need to be perfectly square. Sheetrocking is cheaper but keep in mind that you will be cutting into the sheetrock later for any repairs. Painting concrete if you don’t mind the rehabbed-industrial look—and you can do it yourself.
Use Professionals to Meet Code
You can save on the cost to finish a basement by doing things not bound by codes: installing trim or doors, painting walls and woodwork, and installing flooring. Beyond that, count on using a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor. When it comes to the framing, electrical, HVAC and the related calculations as to combustion air, insulation, firestopping, and plumbing work these all must be inspected by local municipalities and building departments in New York and New Jersey. Additionally, these types of projects can cause a lot of headaches if you DIY. A lot of people start to tackle the basement-finishing process themselves then they call us because they didn’t get permits and get stuck and need a rescue. Start by using a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor to avoid migraines later.
Decorate
The finished basement is where most homeowners feel comfortable taking decorative liberties. Head to a thrift or salvage store and look for unique items. Want your space to feel like a ski lodge, a spa, or the ultimate football fan zone? Channel your inner interior designer.
How to Choose a Hamburg Basement Remodeling Contractor
Since 1992, we have been offering remodeling and design services for all parts of a home, interior and exterior. We manage everything from start to finish. Our high-quality home renovation and remodeling services will not only improve your home interior, but also increase the value of your property (exterior painting, however, is not one of our services). For years, we have remained among Sussex County NJ & Orange County NY’s Most Preferred Licensed and Insured Home Contractors! Service towns in the Sussex County, NJ and Orange County, NY area include Goshen, Warwick, Sussex, Andover, Newton, Sparta, Hamburg, Montague, Frankford, Hardyston, Vernon Township, Stanhope, and many more! Call Us at (973) 862-1640 to bring your basement to life at reasonable prices!
