Basement development and contracters

[Eagle Eye]

I was just wondering if anyone has any dealings with contracters in relation to a basement development.

I finished my own basement in my first house but I really don't have the time with 2 kids.

Any recomendations on how to write up a contract? Can I put some cost control measurements in the contract. What about warranty and payment terms - how do those usually work?

Any other info would be great, including any recomended contracters.

Thanks

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Mike Holmes's book has a few good chapters on all your questions - at $18 or so bucks, it might be worthwhile to get.

Depending on how big your reno is - good luck. I had several companies quote outrageous prices as they didn't want to do the work at such a small reno. Decided to do it myself.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

www.trademarkrenovations.com

Never actually had them do work for me (i actually sold them stuff) but I liked dealing with them and always liked the business model. (there's more info on the website)

They help you manage and co-ordinate in return for a fixed % of spend. Everything is transparent. I like that concept.

[Flames_Gimp]

sent u a pm, i may be able to help you.

[Flames_Gimp]

payment terms are usually payment made in full at completion at project, they shouldn't ask for money up front, if they are providing materials a 10% deposit at most...

[someguy51]

We got our basement finished last year. We had a hard time finding someone who would do it because we live in a townhouse and the basement is very small. Most people won't do it if its going to under $40K.

We finally found a company that would do it but we had to be on the waiting list for 6 months. However, when they finally came and did the work we were very pleased and love our new basement! They are called "Blue Knight Developments". Their website: http://www.blueknightdev.com/

[someguy51]

Originally Posted by fotze

What happens when the inevitable "scope change" occurs or the contractor finds something they did not account for?

I'm probably in the minority but that didn't happen to us.

Also, unlike what some people posted we paid some money up front, a little more when they started and the balance when they finished.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by fotze

What happens when the inevitable "scope change" occurs or the contractor finds something they did not account for?

make sure you fully understand the estimate, and what exactly is to be done. and get everything in the contract.

And if we were doing a job and there were any "surprises" we wouldn't proceed until discussing it with the client.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by someguy51

We got our basement finished last year. We had a hard time finding someone who would do it because we live in a townhouse and the basement is very small. Most people won't do it if its going to under $40K.

thats why you pick the smaller guy for a better deal and aren't afraid of small jobs *cough* Flames_gimp*cough*

[someguy51]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

thats why you pick the smaller guy for a better deal and aren't afraid of small jobs *cough* Flames_gimp*cough*

If only I would have thought to ask on CP! Do you have a CP discount?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by someguy51

We got our basement finished last year. We had a hard time finding someone who would do it because we live in a townhouse and the basement is very small. Most people won't do it if its going to under $40K.

We finally found a company that would do it but we had to be on the waiting list for 6 months. However, when they finally came and did the work we were very pleased and love our new basement! They are called "Blue Knight Developments". Their website: http://www.blueknightdev.com/

Thanx for the info. How do they price it? Does it go by square feet? We are looking to do a home addition. Our lot is pretty big but our house is tiny.

[Flames_Gimp]

yes we give discount. you hear me Eagle eye?

[Eagle Eye]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I am expecting this to be a fairly expensive (for me anyways) project. Somewhere around the $50,000 mark. Looking to develop about 800-900 sqaure feet, with a bathroom, bedroom, fireplace and a kids play area.

So when I write up a contract with a contracter do I write everything in detail of what I want so that there is less chance of a scope change? I am talking about everything down to the types of doors, casing, baseboards, type of paint, etc or do I just look at the broader picture and select those items as I go depending on what I want?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I am expecting this to be a fairly expensive (for me anyways) project. Somewhere around the $50,000 mark. Looking to develop about 800-900 sqaure feet, with a bathroom, bedroom, fireplace and a kids play area.

So when I write up a contract with a contracter do I write everything in detail of what I want so that there is less chance of a scope change? I am talking about everything down to the types of doors, casing, baseboards, type of paint, etc or do I just look at the broader picture and select those items as I go depending on what I want?

The guy we hired to do the doors, casings, baseboards and other miscellaneous finishing work was really good. He gave us a quote on what he would charge for labour and then as he went along he brought samples of the different materials and prices for us to choose as he went along.

If you are hiring a contractor to deal with all the trades then you should have no headaches because they know what to ask from them. But if you are like me and want to hire the individual trades yourself than be sure that you are very precise when telling them what you want because if you forget little details it could mean that you don't really get what you want in the end. For instance, we hired a plumber to install all of the fixtures in the bathroom which he did. Unfortunately he didn't do any caulking at all which we had discussed but didn't put on the original quote. So I ended up doing all the caulking myself. Which isn't a big deal but a basement is a lot of work and little details like this can add up if you're not careful.

[Eagle Eye]

Anywhere I can find a list of all the little details so I dont forget anything? Maybe in the Mike Holmes book?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Anywhere I can find a list of all the little details so I dont forget anything? Maybe in the Mike Holmes book?

Yeah, or hit up chapters and proof read a few books until you find something that fits what you are looking for. Another option is to get a contractor to come and give you a detailed quote then use that quote as a guide.

[Flames_Gimp]

definitely want to put as much as you can into the contract, and have an understanding of everything you want done.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

So when I write up a contract with a contracter do I write everything in detail of what I want so that there is less chance of a scope change? I am talking about everything down to the types of doors, casing, baseboards, type of paint, etc or do I just look at the broader picture and select those items as I go depending on what I want?

I would recommend this, but to depends on the contractor - I tried to do this with with my kitchen contractor but they were so inherently disorganized it was futile. It sure does make for a smoother process though so if you find a contractor that looks like he'd actually abide by such a document that's a big plus IMHO.

[calgarycowgirl]

I know a great company if your still looking.

Check out http://www.calgaryhomeimprovement.ca