What to Look For When Choosing a Utah Basement Finishing Company
Hiring any professional to work on your home can be an extremely stressful situation. Sometimes you never really know if your choice in basement finishing company was good until they're working on something in your home. Finding out you hired the wrong company during their work on your home is less than ideal, to say the least.
This blog post will discuss what you need to look for when choosing a Utah basement finishing company. Let's get into everything you need to know about selecting a basement finishing company!
What Does a Utah Basement Finishing Company Offer?
Basement finishing companies offer a wide range of services to bring your basement up to code and improve its overall condition. They can be responsible for fixing or installing:
Electrical needs
Heating
Plumbing
Flooring
Window
Ventilation and ventilator
Ceilings
Wall finish
Finding the Right Utah Basement Finishing Company
When hiring a professional basement finishing company, you want to ensure you're putting your trust in the right hands to renovate or repair your basement. They will handle the bulk of your basement renovation. Still, most basement finishing companies sub-contract specialized tasks like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and waterproofing. So what should you be looking for in a basement finishing company, and what should you be asking them before crafting a shortlist of options?
Qualities To Look for In a Utah Basement Finishing Company
Choosing the right contractor or business is the most crucial decision you'll find yourself making when it comes to your basement remodel. You want to be able to remain comfortable in your decision, and that means getting some things answered right out of the gate.
Here are some qualities to look out for when looking at a basement finishing company or contractor:
Start by researching the options in your area.
Pay attention to what past customers have said about the business or contractor. People are ready to share their opinions, both good and bad. However, it's important not to base an opinion on a small sample.
To gauge the level of quality you'd be receiving, you need to ensure there is insurance and licenses in place.
Understand the warranties that these companies are offering. Again, this is a great way to find companies that genuinely believe that they're doing excellent work because they're backing up their claims of 'great service' with meaningful actions.
Know your problem so that you're not entirely in the dark of what needs to be done to achieve a good end result.
Questions For Potential Utah Basement Finishing Companies
Getting to know the person who's going to be in your home and working on your basement is essential to understanding how they might approach the project. You want to find some assurances that when you make that ultimate decision, you made the right one.
Here are some of the questions you should be asking:
How long have you been renovating basements?
What certifications do you have in this line of work?
Are you insured?
Are you a part of any professional associations?
Do you have state-issued licenses and registration?
How long do you think the project might take?
Do you provide written warranties?
Will you offer material options before just moving forward with the remodel?
Which tasks do you usually sub-contract, and who do you use?
Do you have references?
When it comes to references for Utah basement finishing, you want to call them and ensure that they were ultimately happy with what they received from the business or contractor in question.
Cosmetic Renovations Vs. Necessary Repairs
Understand that there is a difference between cosmetic renovations and necessary repairs. For example, renovating the basement to add additional living space is going to be a different process to installing waterproof, seal, or repairs.
For example, an aesthetic adjustment isn’t going to be the same as seeing a crack in the walls or protecting your basement from the risk of excess water and, in turn, flood damage. Nobody wants to be dealing with basement flooding - any kind of water damage means you're about to spend some real money.
It is really important to be careful when making any alterations to your home. Utah basement finishing is not your normal quick-and-easy repair. If you make a deadly mistake and find yourself in an emergency situation, your insurance claim could be rejected because of negligence. You'll be footing the bill to restore your home after any damage caused to your floors, walls, windows, doors, and any other part of your basement.
Check out our article on the 5 things you need to know about home renovations in Utah.
Hiring a Pro Vs. DIY
Many people start toying with the idea of just doing the project themselves, and depending on what they need to be done, it's not entirely out of the question. However, it's a decision that does need to be approached with caution.
Before we get into the questions that get asked all the time about making a Utah basement finishing project a DIY project, be sure to check out our blog on DIY Tips!
Can't I just finish my basement myself?
This is a layered question. Yes, but only if you have expert knowledge in electrical, plumbing, HVAC installation, waterproofing, sealing, and general contracting. If you do and plan to move ahead, make sure you've got the permits, and prepare for what lies ahead. You will likely run into problems you didn't expect, and the overall project will take considerable time, considering you'll be probably working alone.
Can't I just frame my basement myself?
To answer this question, you need to answer a question: do you know how to properly install a floating wall? If the answer is no, then don't frame your own basement. The reason behind this is that the soil that your home's foundation and the concrete exist on expands and contracts over time. A floating wall ensures there is enough space between the two so that it doesn't affect the overall structural integrity of your home. With a real risk of things going wrong, it's advised a professional tends to such a serious measure.
Can't I just install basement flooring myself?
This really depends on your abilities and how much you trust yourself to do it right. If you are going to do it because you've installed floors before, there are two things to note that make it different from installing it on any other level.
Moisture is present in basements, and you need to be able to keep the floor dry at all times while installing the flooring.
Protecting existing waterproofing, french drains, and other elements of your basement is essential unless you want to be forced into hiring someone for an emergency repair.
What happens if I do it myself and things don't go well?
Imagine not installing your waterproofing correctly, and heavy rain begins to seep into your home, and your basement floods. Do you know what that will result in? Structural damage, mold growth, damaged drywall, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. When disaster strikes, you want to be sure you've got your home well equipped to deal with excessive rain or a burst water pipe. The Insurance company isn't going to take kindly to a DIY gone wrong. Your insurance claim will be rejected immediately.
The other thing to consider about botched DIY jobs is that it's going to cost a fortune not only in water damage cleanup but also in water damage restoration. If you'd gone with a pro from the beginning, you wouldn't be faced with an insane bill for water damage restoration.
In our opinion, your best bet is to go with a pro. Quality work is worth the price. It significantly decreases the risk of a flooded basement, a house at risk, damaged items, and the high prices you'll experience when you have to pay to have the water damage cleanup done and for someone to restore your house.
Tips for Choosing a Utah Basement Finishing Company
Here are some tips you should consider before and during the hiring process of a contractor for your Utah basement finishing. These pre-determined factors might help narrow the list of options down to the best of the best.
Establish a preferred budget for the project. The average costs of finishing your basement range between $10,000 on the low-end and $50,000 on the higher end. It's important to distinguish what is and isn't feasible for you.
Review their past work available on their website or social media. This can give you a good visual idea of what they're capable of and might even produce a reference for what you want.
Look for reviews and ratings of the business or contractor to see what the local community thinks of the business.
Check the business or contractor's license and insurance information.
Ensure that the potential candidates are capable of clear and consistent communication.
FAQ About Hiring a Utah Basement Finishing Company
Here are some frequently asked questions that people ask when considering hiring a professional basement finishing company or contractor.
Is getting my basement finished worth it?
Yes, absolutely! Finishing your basement not only improves resale value but also provides additional space for you and your family to use how you see fit. On average, 70% of your finishing costs go right back into your home's value. It's important, however, to ensure that permits are in order to ensure the validity of the work done on your home can't be brought into question by potential buyers.
What can and should I expect from a basement finishing company?
There are always contractors who go above and beyond to ensure a smooth project. Others take a more 'in-the-moment' approach or even expect you to make decisions without their input.
What you should expect is the work done right and the space clean upon completion. You can help make this easy by emptying your basement getting some tarps or carpets to lay down from the basement to the front or back door. It's essential to provide easy access to the area where they're working to ensure things don't drag.
How do I get the best deal for a basement remodel?
Getting the best deal means searching for the best deal. Here's how you can save money on basement remodels.
Don't ask one business/contractor. Approach multiple and get options not just in terms of price, but what's offered for the price.
Be aware of what each of the material options cost to save money where possible.
Organize subcontractors yourself if the basement finishing contractors don't offer these services themselves.
Conclusion
Part of getting your basement finished, or renovated, is getting your HVAC system properly cleaned! We're experts in central VAC cleaning, duct defense, and boiler cleaning. Your house deserves an HVAC system that is efficient, clean, and well maintained. So get in touch, and let's get your house up and running with the cleanest HVAC system in the neighborhood!