Since 1992 Ed Case has remodeled 350+ basements in the Harrisburg PA region. Ed is an expert in basement conversion projects and high-end interior design.
Planning your project can seem overwhelming so make sure you do the following to ensure you will get the most enjoyment out of the end result;
First: get a professional design
Next: Hire a company with genuine design and construction expertise
Why?
1. Enjoyment: You want to get full use and enjoyment out of your completed project. When most people think of basements they think of cold, dark, dusty storage spaces. The first secret of finished basement success is to come up with a design that makes you feel excited about going downstairs. It shouldn't be just a basement but an extension of your home, another living level! When the project is finished you don't want to feel like you are in "a basement".
2. Resale Value: If you are finishing your basement you are probably not planning on moving soon but you always want to consider the resale value of any home improvement project. The factors that most influence finished basement resale values include how well your lower-level space complements your main living areas and key features like bedrooms and bathrooms.
3. Getting the Best Deal: Ordinary people and experts alike will tell you to get multiple bids to make sure you are not getting ripped off. That is good advice, but you do need to be careful that the bids are comparable. Just like when you purchase your home, there can be a $40,000 difference in the home you and your neighbor with the same model purchased, because of upgrades, quality of materials, etc. If you need help determining how to compare bids we are happy to help!
4. Avoiding change orders: Make sure your design includes 3d elevations and renderings. What happens above the floor is extremely challenging and important! Designing a basement always poses the challenge of hiding beams, poles, soffits, HVAC, etc. and a good design will conceal those and make it obvious of the things you were trying to hide after it is finished. 2d elevations and hand sketches make it harder and almost impossible to ensure you are doing just that. If you are not using a 3d design you may not discover those problems until it's too late.
5. Hiring a company with experience in design and construction: Great designs take experience, skill and a good attitude. When you give into the temptation to hire the lowest bidder you might be sacrificing a good design that you will be happier with in the end. Also, the lowest bidder a lot of times is just that, just to get the job. Then they come back later and ask for more money because they didn't include necessary things in their bid. This is another reason to look for a 3d design.
Visit The Basement Remodeling Company blog for more tips about basement finishing.
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