What makes a great finished basement?

If you are a nanny YOU need a finished basement! Let me tell you why!

Hi my name is Debby and I am a full time mom / nanny! I work out of my home and it always seems to be a disaster! My house always seems to look like a daycare and that the toddlers took over and now rule my castle! I love having company on the weekends and it just seems like I have to spend an entire day to clean my house to have a glass of wine with my girlfriends! Now that winter is approaching and the kids will mostly be in the house. I asked myself, what I can do to separate the Nanning life from my personal life. Then it hit me, as the toy dinosaur came flying across the room and nailed me in the head!!! I have a huge unfinished basement that is just a big empty wasted space! Let’s finish the basement. Living in New England on the South shore I went online in search of Basement Finishing companies in my area! I found a company called KAKS Home Improvement Services and continued looking further into them. Their website is www.impressivebasmentsboston.com . Before reading any further, if you are considering remodeling or refinishing you basement STOP and go visit their website now!! They seemed to have EVERYTHING I was looking for! I continued doing my research and reading more facts they had on their website. Something I came across which was news to me, was that there are many factors that need to be considered when finishing a basement in New England. Such as Humidity in the summer and flooding in the winter! These are huge culprits in New England that contribute to mold and mildew! BUT what I didn’t know is that the only way these nasty things can grow in your basement is if you have the wrong materials down there for them to breed off of!!! Finishing a basement out of materials like wood studs, paper drywall, and carpet ( everything I thought a finished basement was made out of) all harvest a beautiful home for mold and mildew to breathe in on a nice summer morning YUCK !! So the thought of this basement project being cheap went right out the window. Which I am okay with if I am getting quality over a cheap quote! So KAKS Basement Finishing was explaining to me their basement wall system, that is specifically design for basements in New England. They explained that having a dehumidifier is a key factor to keeping your basement air dry! After that I was informed the benefits of a fresh air exchange unit! That sold me right there!!! Constantly having a fresh air flow is perfect for a space with a bunch of germ breeding stinky toddler’s lol!!! So I recommend doing your research and getting all the RIGHT information when thinking about a basement finishing project! After I decided to move forward I met with the owner Steve at my home! He was very friendly and understanding and took the time to help me envision my project every step of the way. We ended up designing the perfect spot for me and my little tots to hang all day and not have to step foot upstairs!!! We designed an open layout with a large play area for all the toys. Then on one side of the room there is a kitchenette area with a refrigerator and sink and a small table and chairs for snack and lunch time! Can you say easy clean up! We also added a small half bath which is very necessary! Then finally, we added a small room to the side with a TV and a bunch of bean bags for movie and story time (my favorite)! I couldn’t have asked for a better finished space for myself and my little kiddies! Now it doesn’t only feel like my work and personal life are separate! It feels like I have a professional work space/ home office! No more stepping on Legos or cleaning up mac and cheese off the kitchen table or pulling toys out of the couch just to have company over! All thanks to KAKS Basement Finishing and Design! It wasn’t cheap but now it feels like another level of my home and a safe environment for my kids! NOT a big empty smelly space anymore! What a great investment! I am one happy nanny and my kids love the finished space even more!

 
Basement finishing is a home renovation method that has become increasingly popular as homeowners seek to increase the value of their home by utilizing every square inch. For nearly 10 years, KAKS Basement has been the leading source in the Greater Boston area for basement finishing and organizing. With top-quality workmanship and a professional, personal touch, KAKS converts unusable space into a new level of living.
Founded in 2007 by Steve Sweeney, KAKS maintains dedicated teams comprised of qualified licensed professionals with many years of experience. These skilled craftsmen have helped KAKS to establish a reputation for completing projects on time and budget. “Our goal is to direct, manage and work closely with our installations crews and electricians to determine our customer’s specific needs while keeping their budget a priority,” says Sweeney. “We believe in open communication as a key to achieving the desired results.”
A full-service company
KAKS is a one-stop shop. With its talented and experienced crews, KAKS is able to see every project through from design to completion. In addition to basement finishing, KAKS provides full basement clean-out services as well. Customers do not need to concern themselves with emptying junk and clutter and KAKS is a full-service company. By providing all labor and hauling the company is able to maintain low overhead and pass the savings along to the customer. Once the project is complete, KAKS will rearrange any items or furniture for its customers by performing a full cleaning of the space, leaving it spotless.
In all of its basement renovations, KAKS uses Impressive Basement Systems, which has been utilized in the industry since 1972. The 100 percent eco-basement finishing system has been installed all over the country and was featured on the A&E hit show Flipping Boston. Along with proven durability, advantages of the system include water and stain repellant, removable panels for easy access, noise control and high thermal insulation. KAKS also uses 100 percent waterproof vinyl flooring planks with realistic textures in wood or stone and also offers lighting and ceiling options. Customers can complete their space with new lighting, detailed suspension ceilings for easy access from top names like USG and Armstrong or a plastered finish ceiling.
With mold and mildew a concern for most homeowners in New England, KAKS uses wallboard products that are specifically designed to inhibit mold and mildew growth. Unlike ordinary wallboard or other common building materials, these specially treated selections create an environment unsuitable for mold to survive. Prior to beginning any renovation, KAKS will thoroughly inspect each basement for signs of moisture penetration, which could be through foundation cracks, window seals or other vulnerable points.
Maintaining a personal touch
With its full-service approach and the niche market that KAKS maintains, the company has been fortunate to not only survive through the economic downturn but to thrive as well. “We really weren’t affected by the housing market collapse,” says Sweeney. “What we witnessed was people wanting to take advantage of getting the full value from their home. We saw some of the luxury builds decrease a bit but not by much.”
With an influx of space-utilizing work, KAKS has managed to maintain steady, manageable growth as a company. “I don’t want to become a company with a corporate feel,” says Sweeney. “I want KAKS to continue to be a company that runs a tight operation, and has people that want to do business with us because they know that they are going to receive personal attention. We remain very aware of that when it comes to growth.”
With its attention to detail and personal touch, Kaks Basement Finishing & Design remains a leader as a premier New England basement finisher.

High pressure sales tactics are a big red flag! No matter what you’re shopping for, intense high pressure sales tactics are always a bad sign. Be very wary when you’re told special incentive pricing will only be available if you decide immediately; you should never feel pressured to sign on the dotted line immediately. Basement renovations are a significant investment. It’s worth taking the time to make a good decision. Don’t let high pressure sales tactics force you into a decision you’ll regret later.

Check references & previous projects A reputable Boston basement refinishing company will be happy to show you pictures of other projects they’ve done. In some instances, you may even be able to tour finished basement renovation projects. As a best practice, it’s always great to look at projects that are similar in nature to the project you’re considering – in other words, if you want a new home gym, you want to see other home gyms this company has done. Ask for references, and then call or email those people with your questions about the basement finishing contractor. If a contractor balks at either showing you previous projects or connecting you with satisfied customers, run, don’t walk, away!

After a check up that made the need for fitness a top priority for Jeffrey, he began looking into having a home gym built. “I knew once I had a finished basement, I could use that space for working out,” he said. “It’s convenient, it’s private, and let’s be real – it’s affordable. Have you looked at Boston gym membership prices lately?”

“Rather than going with a general contractor, I went with a company that specializes in basement renovations,” Jeffrey explained. “They explained the different basement finishing systems to me, and helped me pick which option would work best given my home’s layout.” After the walls were covered, and flooring and lighting installed, Jeffrey had a spacious bright area for his workout routine. “In the beginning, I didn’t have much in the way of fitness equipment – just a treadmill and an exercise bike.”

His wife had doubts about the entire endeavor. “I’d promised to get fit before, but nothing really came of it,” Jeffrey said. “So she had plans to turn this into a quilting studio once my enthusiasm wore off.” That was over a year ago. In that time, Jeffrey has lost almost 40 pounds, and his energy level has increased dramatically. “Having the basement turned into a gym made it so easy for me to get serious about my fitness,” he said. “Now I come down here before and after work and just do what I need to do. My doctor is thrilled, and so am I!”

Yael’s husband, Seth, prefers a more stationary form of exercise – namely, a stationary bicycle. “I took a spin class a few years ago and it just clicked for me,” he explained. “Now I don’t like to go a day without getting on the bike.”

The couple had looked for a home that had space for a home gym when they were house-hunting in Boston, but to no avail. “The homes that already had space for a gym were way out of our price range, and the ones that were in our price range didn’t have the gym,” Yael explained. Money was the determining factor in making their home purchase, and they wound up buying a home that didn’t have an in home fitness center. But the desire for a home gym remained.

“That’s when we thought about the basement,” Seth said. “We weren’t really using that space for anything. so I looked into the possibilities for basement remodeling in Boston. I wanted a company that could transform this dark, unused area into a comfortable, private home gym.”

“I hadn’t realized how dramatic the transformation would be,” Yael added. “Our basement finishing contractors really listened to us. I felt like they understood how we wanted to use the space, and what our concerns were. They finished the walls and installed flooring and lighting, and all of a sudden we’ve got this great home gym.”

“What really impressed me is how well everything was built,” Seth said. “The crew moved quickly, but they didn’t cut any corners. We chose specific flooring for Yael’s dance area and they did a fantastic job installing that. It’s really one of the home improvement decisions I’ve been most pleased with.”

One of the reasons to explore Boston basement finishing systems is that they’re the ideal solution to transform dark, damp, intimidating spaces into bright, easy to access useful storage centers for the whole family. For a very minimal amount of money – much less than the ongoing cost of renting a storage unit for years and years! – it’s possible to have all the storage space you need right in your own home.

It’s incredibly convenient to have your basement finished to serve your storage needs. Instead of having to pack up your stuff, load it into the car, drive to a storage unit, unload your stuff, and drive all the way back home again – only to go through the entire process in reverse when you actually want to use your stuff! – having a finished basement in Boston means everything you own is in your home – and isn’t that how it should be?

The most cost effective way to transform your basement into truly useful storage space is to work with a Boston company that specializes in finishing basements. You’ll save time and money, and it’s much less stressful than trying to convert your basement on your own. Every family needs storage space. Why not make use of the space right beneath your feet?

Massachusetts is one of the most competitive housing markets in the nation. If there’s one factor that can drive a property’s value up, it’s the amount of usable space available. More is definitely more, especially when you consider how many homes in our region were built in the compact New England style. Having the basement finished gives you and any potential buyers more space to enjoy.

Another factor that will impact a home’s value is how attractive the finished basement is. People use finished basements for any number of purposes, from a home office, in-law apartment, art studio, media room, storage, or even a home gym. Not every use will be equally appealing to every buyer – for example, home gyms are most of interest to people who enjoy fitness – but real estate agents are skilled professionals at explaining the potential uses of the space. What really matters is the quality of construction and how attractive the space is as a whole. Exercise equipment can be moved out and bookshelves in, for example, if your buyer is more of a librarian than a weight lifter; if the space is well built and inviting, the current use generally has no impact on the selling price. That being said, if you have the home gym and a prospective buyer loves working out, they may be willing to pay that much more for your property.

Having your basement finished in Boston pays off in a multiple of ways. First, you increase the level of enjoyment you’re getting from your home while you live there. Then, when it is time to sell, you’ll be able to realize a higher asking price due the to attractive, well-built finished basement.