Unlike most remodeling projects, most homeowners don’t get hyped about basement remodeling, mostly because a basement is one of those areas that doesn’t inspire creativity. Even finished basements tend to have that drab feel, the one that makes you want to stay away at all costs. However, by not utilizing your basement, you are wasting hundreds of square feet of your home. Take advantage of all the space your home has to offer, and consider implementing one of these creative yet simple basement design plans:

 

Turn Your Basement Into a Gym

If you’re someone who loves to workout but who just doesn’t have the time to between work and running the kids to and from soccer practice, consider installing an in-home gym. Not sure where to put all that equipment? Put it in the basement! All you really need to do is add some paint and bright lights before adding the equipment, but if you really want to take your home gym to the next level, consider adding a sauna. Your basement may just become your secret retreat.

 

Make it a Game Room

Have you and your spouse talked about getting a pool table but have always held off because you weren’t sure where to put it? Well, now you have the space! Give your basement a face lift with a basement remodeling project, then invest in that pool table, foosball table and even an old-school pinball machine to make it a room of non-stop fun.

 

Convert it Into an Entertainment Space

If you don’t want to mar your carefully decorated living room with a giant TV screen, but if you enjoy a nice picture as much as the next person, consider turning your basement into a cinema. An entertainment room is one that the whole family can enjoy!

 

Basement remodels don’t have to be boring. Consider the above basement remodeling plans to give your basement a useful and fun face lift.

When it comes to home remodeling contractors, you have plenty of options, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re all good options. Choosing the right contractor to build your home addition can be as difficult as finding the right home, or purchasing the right vehicle, and just as important: choose wrong, and that’s thousands of dollars down the toilet. Choose wisely, on the other hand, and your new addition can benefit the whole family for years to come. For help finding the best contractor for your home renovation project, use the following tips:

 

Ask for Referrals

If you know of someone who recently had their home renovated, ask about the contractor they used. Were they good, great or terrible? Did they get the job done in a timely fashion? Were they fair on price? Get as many details as you can about the workers themselves, the company as a whole and, most importantly, their work.

 

Gather Quotes

Your budget is going to factor into who you ultimately hire to complete your home addition, so it’s important to gather several quotes before hiring a contractor. Sure, the guy who did work for your boss may sound wonderful, but if their retainer fee is $10,000 and your remodeling budget is $15,000, they may not be the right team for you. That said, use the quotes to do two things: 1) eliminate contractors you simply cannot afford and 2) get an idea of what your addition should cost. Eliminate those that are way above average and far below it and go from there.

 

Don’t Discount Good Communication

Communication is key during any kind of home renovation, so pay particular attention to those contractors who get back to you right away and those who take a week or two to get you their estimate. Even if you don’t have plans to start your renovation for a few months, it speaks volumes about a company when they treat you as if you already are a customer rather than just a potential customer.

 

Don’t hire just anyone to build your new home addition. Use the tips above to find the right contractor and you won’t be disappointed.    

When you need more space for an expanding family or even a home office, you have two choices. You can go through the hassle of moving all your belongings into a newly purchased home, or you can build an extension onto your current house to give you the room you need and add to your property value for a better resale later down the line. Home additions create usable space and often cost less than the additional price of a new house, but is it the correct move for you? Here are some questions to ask yourself first.

 

Is It Doable?

Don’t draw up plans yourself unless you’re an architect by trade. Hire a professional to take a look at your home’s layout and discuss the extension you’re looking for. Only a contractor will know whether a particular design will work for your house. Talk about whether you want a one or two story addition and what types of rooms you’d like to add. You also need to talk to your city’s planning committee and make sure that your home doesn’t fall in a historic district or conservation area. If it does, you’ll need permission to build and will likely have to stick within certain guidelines.

 

Can I Afford This?

While cheaper than a new home, additions can still be pricey. Research the cost of supplies and call around to find an affordable contractor with a good reputation. Single story extensions are obviously more affordable than two stories. You also must take into consideration the cost of painting, wallpaper and furniture and whether you want to hire an interior designer for the new area. Also plan on having extra money for the almost inevitable unexpected costs that come up. Maybe you need to fix the foundation or replace a load bearing wall. Make sure you have the funds to complete your project in full.

 

Building home additions can save you the money and hassle of a move when you need more rooms. Just plan ahead by asking yourself these questions before you start so you can see the project through to the end.

If you have an unfinished basement in your home, it’s most likely a space that you only visit out of necessity. Maybe your washer and dryer reside there, or perhaps its primary function is for storage. If this sounds like your home, then basement remodeling could take your room from dreary to delightful.

 

Choosing to finish a basement would add significant merit to your home, both in the usefulness of the extra living area, and through increasing the market value. Basements can be transformed to meet nearly any need that you have. There are unlimited options for basement remodeling, including family rooms, play rooms, bedrooms and even home gyms. This type of renovation can also bring you rewards if you choose to sell your home, as home buyers would much prefer to see an inviting and purposeful room, rather than a damp and dark cave.

 

Turning a basement into a truly livable space can require a remarkable amount of work. If left unfinished, this area is commonly neglected. It’s often necessary for mold and mildew to be removed, and it’s extremely important that the appropriate steps are taken to ensure that the basement is dry and sealed to protect against water intrusion before the bulk of improvements begin. Overall, there is much planning and possible repairs that go into basement renovations, which is why working with a licensed professional to complete the work is imperative.

 

There are a multitude of decisions to make regarding the floorplan and finish details during this design process. A ceiling type will need to be chosen, with drop ceilings being a popular choice, as the tiles used still allow for easy access above the space. The flooring, paint colors and overall layout will also need to be considered. Your contractor will have the experience necessary to walk you through all of your options.

 

Basement remodeling may seem like a large investment; however, the sooner you commit to the project, the sooner you can enjoy your new room and the increased value of your home. Make your basement a place that you gravitate to, rather than avoid.

 

Whether you’ve recently bought a new home or you’re looking to add more space to the home you’ve had for years, sometimes you realize you need more space. There are practical and aesthetic benefits to building additions onto your home that can make your living space more suitable to your needs. If you are planning on a construction project, there are some tips for building an addition to your home that are important to consider before taking on a project. As building additions can take a significant amount of time and money, careful planning is essential. [Read more…]

Remodeling is a great investment in your home. In addition to the improved look and aesthetic appeal, you can boost its market value by redoing some or all of the rooms in the house. When taking on such a project, however, you should trust a professional remodeling contractor for the job. Attempting DIY remodels can yield questionable-at-best results, but a professional will be able to realize all of your remodel dreams. Read on to learn more about how a remodeling service can help you.
 
Unquestionable Quality
 
Even the most skilled of amateur home improvement hobbyists is likely to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work that needs to be done when undertaking a remodeling project. A professional service provider, however, can approach the task, create a plan and execute the remodel perfectly. The result will be a new look of unquestionable quality. When you trust the job to a professional, the results will show it.
 
Impeccable Investment
 
Hiring a professional remodeling contractor offers benefits beyond great aesthetics. Working with a remodeler will also help you maximize the investment you are making. When you make renovations, you want to do so with the value of your home in mind, so that you can get the most out of it if and when you decide to sell. A professional will know exactly how to accomplish this and capitalize on the opportunity to add value to your home.
 
Save Time and Money
 
If you are hesitant to hire a professional remodeling contractor, one of the reasons may be the perceived cost of such a service. You may be surprised to learn, however, that hiring a professional is often a great way to save both time and money. Letting somebody else complete renovations means your time will remain free, and a contractor will also be able to offer savings by using wholesale materials and other perks that cut costs.

Any experienced contractor would agree that the basement is one of the most important areas of a home to waterproof. This portion of the house is often underground, placing it closer to water level and increasing the risk of moisture damage. Anyone planning a remodeling project for their basement should have this vital step in mind. Neglecting it can lead to issues like mold or even damage the home’s foundation. In this situation, get assistance from a professional, like us at Hammer Point Development, and have the job done right. Here are a few things you should look for.

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