Basement Development & Associated Costs

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Question about flooring.


Also, any reasons why laminate would really not work in a basement, besides it being a little colder on the feet?

If you are laying directly over the concrete floor, it is most likely not perfectly level which can create some problems with laminate.

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

If you are laying directly over the concrete floor, it is most likely not perfectly level which can create some problems with laminate.

It is a new house and we've found that the flooring is pretty level, though I do understand it won't be perfect. Will the underlay help curb those problems at all?

[BigNumbers]

I am looking at developing my basement... Any recommendations for contractors?

[AMG_G]

I used http://affordablebasements.ca/ totally honest and upfront.

[BigNumbers]

Originally Posted by AMG_G

I used http://affordablebasements.ca/ totally honest and upfront.

Any ballpark per Sq ft costs you could provide? Your basement is approximately what I am after I size and finishing.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

I am looking at developing my basement... Any recommendations for contractors?

We used KenCan (www.kencan.ca) - Ken Colby is a general contractor and brings in tradesmen as needed. Very satisfied with his work.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

If you are laying directly over the concrete floor, it is most likely not perfectly level which can create some problems with laminate.

The laminate turned out better in my basement then it did on the upper floor in terms of feeling solid and movement. My floor seemed decently level but I am sure it wasn't in all places

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

Any ballpark per Sq ft costs you could provide? Your basement is approximately what I am after I size and finishing.

So without the media stuff I spent about 50k on my basement. Works out to be about 50/sqft. People think its a bit high but as you can probably see it was top notch work and material....they gym flooring was $2k, fireplace was about $6k with the stone work, the dry bar with granite was about $4k and so on and so forth....if you went with less expensive options I'm sure you can get it done for under $40/sqft. I was pleasantly surprised that the 8 week time line was exactly 8 weeks and the whole experience was awsome with ABR...paid a lot attention to detail even taped up the hardwood from the front door to the basement so that nothing gets scratched.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by Mayer

It is a new house and we've found that the flooring is pretty level, though I do understand it won't be perfect. Will the underlay help curb those problems at all?

it will help a little bit, but it is quite thin.

Originally Posted by fundmark19

The laminate turned out better in my basement then it did on the upper floor in terms of feeling solid and movement. My floor seemed decently level but I am sure it wasn't in all places

Consider yourself fortunate! I used to frame houses and often concrete floors (even in new homes) are not very good.

[Nyah]

Bumping this thread. We're finally at the stage where our framing, electrical & plumbing inspections are done, now we're looking at drywall. Can anyone recommend a decent drywall company? We've done almost everything ourselves (with the help of friends who know what they're doing), but for this stage we'd like to have to pro's come in. Does anyone have a rough idea of what we would be looking at for cost to have a company supply everything, install & tape & mud? Would we be better off getting our own supplies & then having them come in?

We're also going to be getting some glass cut for a steam shower - can anyone recommend a good company?

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by Nyah

We're also going to be getting some glass cut for a steam shower - can anyone recommend a good company?

I can recommend one company not to use for your glass. Home Solutions has been working on our shower for over 1 month. They have cut every piece of glass multiple times.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by rain_e

I can recommend one company not to use for your glass. Home Solutions has been working on our shower for over 1 month. They have cut every piece of glass multiple times.

That's too bad. I have had really good experiences with them. They did my glass sliding doors on our shower in the main bathroom, mirror in my ensuite, and the shelving in my walk-in closet.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That's too bad. I have had really good experiences with them. They did my glass sliding doors on our shower in the main bathroom, mirror in my ensuite, and the shelving in my walk-in closet.

They did our closet and mirrors as well. No issues with those. However the shower has been a mess. It blows my mind that they are able to cut each piece of glass so many times and keep sending people out to try and make it work and still turn a profit. I guess that's why they charge so much.

[Calgary14]

I have been seeing a lot of ads for Cardel Renovations lately, I guess they do surface renos and basements. Not sure what their quality is like but will definitely consider when we get our basement finished

[hungryhun]

pm sent

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Bumping this thread. We're finally at the stage where our framing, electrical & plumbing inspections are done, now we're looking at drywall. Can anyone recommend a decent drywall company? We've done almost everything ourselves (with the help of friends who know what they're doing), but for this stage we'd like to have to pro's come in. Does anyone have a rough idea of what we would be looking at for cost to have a company supply everything, install & tape & mud? Would we be better off getting our own supplies & then having them come in?

We're also going to be getting some glass cut for a steam shower - can anyone recommend a good company?

I used Winroc and was really happy. They were very accommodating to a newb like myself and charged hardly anything to deliver it directly to the basement (don't even think twice about paying for that service). It's been some time, but I recall drywall pricing to be really close. Like, within cents of each other.

I had 2 guys come in to quote me on hanging, mudding and taping. They were both in the $3500 - $4000 range for a ~800 sq. foot basement. That included stairs, walls, etc, but I had to supply the mud. It seemed like a ripoff at the time so I did it myself. In retrospect, I probably should have paid. I am happy with how it turned out, but it took forever.

[1stLand]

Anyone ever watch 'Income Property' on HGTV?
I always chuckle when they get a Realtor in the place and re-assess the value of the home and it turns out that the increased 'market value' of the home far exceeds what they spent renovating the basement.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by 1stLand

Anyone ever watch 'Income Property' on HGTV?
I always chuckle when they get a Realtor in the place and re-assess the value of the home and it turns out that the increased 'market value' of the home far exceeds what they spent renovating the basement.

Yep. I always watch this show and wait to see that increased value at the end. lol

[Madman]

Has anyone used QuietRock before?

http://www.quietrock.com/product

There is just too much going on in my joist spaces to get a decent amount of Roxul insulation in them and wondered if this would be a better idea.

They say you don't even need a resilient channel with it, which is great.

[photon]

Anyone recommend a good painter? Not for my basement, about time to repaint my condo, need someone that's very good quality and attention to detail.