Newsroom – Page 3 – Kaks Basement Finishing & Remodeling

Jul 22 2016

Getting The Basement Ready For Finishing

Spring… I know we all can’t wait for it to get here every year. Goodbye snow… I love seeing it melt. Can’t wait for grass growing, flowers blooming, longer days, more sunshine, we all have so many plans for Spring. Spring cleaning is definitely on my list and after the long winter we’ve had, I’m looking forward to getting down into my basement and finally cleaning it out. Living in Norwell Massachusetts i know how important it is to keep an eye out for any cracks or leaks in a basement, especially with all the snow melting around the foundations outside, and I for one, will be moving out most of my useless storage and preparing the space for a Basement finishing.

Recently, I came across information about this basement company regarding Mold and Mildew Proof Basement Finishing Systems that are available. Because water and humidity in the basement seem pretty hard to avoid it caught my attention right away . What they were talking about was everything that i have been concerned about when thinking about finishing my basement. Wow finally someone figured it out, and i could not believe that here they are located less than 2 miles away from my home on the South Shore in Hanover Ma. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, who wouldn’t want walls that are made specifically for the basement that are waterproof and mold and mildew proof? A nice design plan for the basement is NOW a great idea, so this Spring, I plan on moving forward with that long overdue basement remodel? The info below is from the Kaks Basement website www.impressivebasementsboston.com this is just a little sample of what they talk about, if you want to know anything about finishing a basement this is the place!

First tip: Keep an eye out for mold. Mold needs a source to grow, and there are five ingredients necessary for mold growth – food source, air, moisture, suitable temperature, and a surface to grow on. Paper, wood and other organic materials like carpet, for example, are conducive to mold and mildew growth. Drywall is lined with paper, studs are usually made of pine wood, definitely not suitable materials for the basement since mold growth in basement walls is a serious home health concern. Long-standing moisture problems can lead to decay, resulting in structural damage to the house. Have it checked by a professional, then choose a basement wall finishing company that specializes in building basements with proper materials.

Second: A good dehumidifier is recommended for the basement at all times to control moisture in the air. Keeping the humidity low is key. Air quality in the basement is important. Go with certified green, eco-friendly materials that aren’t detrimental to the basement.

Last tip: The cost of a full Basement Finishing System is about the same as a conventional drywall basement. That seems hard to believe, until you get a price from a basement refinishing company with all electrical, waterproof flooring and better quality materials than a general contractor could give. Go get a free basement evaluation, and not from the local handyman.

NOW, my basement plan is for drywall-free walls and yes, a plastered wall finish, with a relaxing, light paint color. With having the same looking walls from upstairs in the downstairs basement: strong, durable, plus mold and mildew-proof, and paintable! Once it’s finished, it will be a seamless look into my new family room, and cleaning the basement should finally be a breeze. No more dreaming about it…
Spring is reminding me that it’s time to get started and clean out the basement.

Jun 24 2016

Your Kids Are Going To Be Living With You Longer Than You Ever Expected

In May, the Pew Research Foundation reported that for the first time ever, living with parents is the most popular housing option for adults 18 to 34 years old. It’s not hard to figure out why. The Brexit vote created huge uncertainty in the global marketplace; domestically, concerns about the upcoming Presidential election and the sustained health of the economy have people worried about their financial futures at the same time great jobs are in short supply. Living at home makes sense – but having a 30 year old in the house is very, very different than having a 3 year old or even a 13 or 23 year old.

Maintaining a healthy, happy family dynamic is easier when everyone has enough space. That’s part of the reason basement remodels are so popular in Duxbury, Plymouth and surrounding communities. Converting the basement into an apartment for adult children who are living at home is a cost effective way to introduce some privacy and boundaries into the family home. When compared on an apples to apples basis with a first floor addition or adding a second story to the home, basement conversions are faster and more affordable.

Some basement conversions we’ve done have transformed the basement into a self-contained apartment, complete with a kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance. Other transformations turn the basement area into a large bedroom or studio style layout, combining sleeping and relaxing areas.

The majority of young adults who are still living with their parents are men, although this is changing as young women are choosing to live at home rather than with a romantic partner at increasing rates. The primary difference is that young women are far more likely to be single parents, which makes housing decisions slightly more complicated. Every Duxbury basement renovation we do is fully custom, individually designed and created to meet the homeowner’s unique needs and existing basement layout.

Jun 17 2016

In Home Gym Creates Safe Space for Pembroke Teen to Work Out

“Maisie loves Zumba,” Linda said. “It is her life’s passion. She wants to certify as a Zumba instructor, and has been working very hard toward that goal.” For a moment, Linda beams with a parent’s pride. Then her expression became more serious. “If she had her way, she’d been at the gym 5 nights a week, working out. But I can’t devote that much time to going to the gym with her, and I don’t feel comfortable letting her go alone.” Maisie has Down’s Syndrome, and is, in her mother’s words, ‘extremely trusting’. “If someone said, “Come on, honey, let’s go, Maisie would go,” Linda explained. “I just can’t take that chance.”

To give Maisie the safe workout space she needs, Linda had her Pembroke basement converted into a home gym. “It was much simpler than I’d ever imagined,” Linda said. “I told the basement remodeling contractors what I was looking for, and they got right to work.”

Turning a basement into a home gym is one of the most popular basement renovations. Fitness is very important to many people, but the experience of going to the gym can be problematic. For some, it’s a safety issue, such as in Maisie’s case. Other people prefer to work out in private, where they don’t have to deal with people’s commentaries on their efforts or bodies. Scheduling is a concern for some people: if you love to work out at 4 am on a Sunday morning, your options are limited. Having a gym right in the basement of your home means 24/7 access, the ultimate in convenience.

“The best part of this renovation surprised me,” Linda said. “Maisie doesn’t just have a place to work out, she has a place to practice teaching a class. A few of her friends from school have come over and she’s had a great time teaching them the routine – they all work out together. It’s been such a positive experience. I would recommend it to anyone.”

Jun 10 2016

Basement Offices Promote Work/Life Balance

“I work in finance, and my work day is never really done,” Adam said. “I bring work home from the office all the time. But I also have a four year old daughter who deserves – and demands! – my attention.”

It was hard for Adam to focus on his family when he could see the piles of work waiting for him. “I’d always have the laptop open,” he said. “And I’d see that there was a new email, and so I’d read that – before you knew it, I was working through dinner and bedtime almost every night.”

This situation was not acceptable to his four year old, Casey. “I asked Daddy why he bothered coming home if all he was going to do was work all the time.”

A family conference led to the realization that Adam needed a place for his work that was separate from where the family did their day-to-day living. “The kitchen was out, and the living room wasn’t working either, and when I suggested our bedroom, my wife said absolutely not,” Adam said. “That left the basement.”

Building a home office in the basement is a very popular renovation in the Scituate region. Basement spaces tend to be underused, and basement remodels are much more cost-effective than adding another room to the home. “The way our home is on the lot,” Adam said, “we don’t really have the space needed for a first floor addition – and building up is very, very expensive.”

The family basement was on the small side, but it had more than enough room for what Adam needed. “Really, as long as I have wi-fi and room to sit and concentrate, I’m good,” he explained. “I’m really pleased that our Scituate basement renovation company built in some storage for our camping gear and my files – it makes the whole thing feel organized and put together. When I’m down here, I can concentrate on my work. And when I’m upstairs, I can be 100% a family man.”

Jun 03 2016

Money Magazine’s Tips for Smart Basement Remodels

We were thrilled to see this article in Money Magazine that calls finishing the basement the cure for an undersized home. The fact that renovating the basement costs about half of what a comparably sized addition does is the reason many Hingham homeowners choose to improve underground.

Money Magazine mentions many people’s top concern about refinishing the basement: moisture. If your current basement gets damp or even wet, there are steps that can be taken so you can have a finished basement without worrying about mold or mildew. Every home’s basement issue is unique: in some cases, cracks in the foundation or poorly maintained gutters can be responsible for moisture. New drainage or a sump pump may need to be installed. The key is to eliminate, as much as possible, the source of moisture and then choose a basement remodeling system that’s robustly mold-resistant.

Another issue we were glad to see Money Magazine discuss is soundproofing. It’s a smart investment to protect the downstairs from all the sounds of activity upstairs, and vice-versa. Sound proofing helps maintain privacy in the household, a vital consideration if you’re converting the basement into a downstairs apartment. Sound control and quality are very important for the basement home theater as well.

In Massachusetts, habitable spaces are required to have a ceiling height of no less than seven feet. Basements that were not intended to be habitable spaces can be much lower. As your Hingham basement specialist, we can advise you on what needs to be done to bring your home into compliance; the answer varies depending on how the basement was originally built.

Finally, the Money Magazine article touches on something we don’t often talk about: the tax implications of having your basement refinished. A basement renovation doesn’t add to the footprint of your home, and generally tax assessors don’t count finished basements as living spaces, so the impact on your property tax bill is minimal.

It’s really a great read so we recommend everyone check it out!

KAKS Basement Finishing & Remodeling