basement finishing – Page 2 – 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.

Aug 21 2015

Great Basement Finishing Contractors Don’t Need High Pressure Sales Tactics

If you’re thinking of having your basement converted into a home gym, or transformed into an apartment for your adult children or in-laws, or need the space to run your business, chances are that you already know there are a lot of basement finishing contractors in the Boston area. Figuring out how to tell which one is the right company to work on your home becomes easier when you keep these pointers in mind:

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!

Jul 30 2015

Turning My Basement into a Gym Helped Me Get Serious about Fitness

“I knew I had to do something about my weight long before the doctor said a word,” Jeffrey said. “I mean, I couldn’t even walk across the office without getting winded. But going to the gym was difficult for me. I spend a lot of time at work, which means I’d either be able to work out very late at night or very early in the morning – and the crowd at that gym during those times aren’t exactly supportive to a big guy like me.”

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!”

Jul 23 2015

Using Pinterest To Create Your Dream Basement

“I don’t know,” Amanda said, waving her hands. “Some people have so much talent. They look at an empty basement and they see it being transformed into a beautiful home gym, or a yoga studio, or a playroom for the kids, or a home theater, or whatever. I look at my basement and I pretty much see this big, ugly, empty room and I can’t envision it as anything else. But I hate the thought of wasting all this space – it’s not exactly like Boston is known for its cheap real estate!”

If you’d like to finish your basement but have no idea where to start, let us introduce you to the social media platform you need to know about: Pinterest. Once thought of as a site primarily for brides-to-be deep in the throes of planning their wedding, Pinterest has become the digital go-to destination for anyone planning home renovations. Try searching for “Finished Basement Ideas” or “Creative Basements” to get started; if you already have a general idea of what you’d like to do, such a creating a home gym or a bar, search for terms that include “Basement Gym” or “Basement Bar Ideas”.

Be prepared to spend some time. There are literally hundreds of images of creative ways to finish your Boston basement. If you sign up for a Pinterest account, you can save and organize your favorite images on boards. These boards are a great resource to share with your basement remodeling company, to give them an idea of what you’d like to accomplish. Additionally, once you’ve signed up for Pinterest, you can save basement idea images you find on other websites or social media to your boards. It’s a great way to get inspired!

Jun 02 2015

Create an In Home Fitness Center by Finishing Your Boston Basement

Yael is always dancing. Her feet are never still. The twenty-seven year old Boston native has trained in several forms of dance, including modern, jazz, and tap. “It’s my favorite workout,” she explained. “You put the music on, work through a couple of routines, and before you know it, you’ve really worked up a sweat! Dance works everything – your core, your abs, your legs.”

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.”

KAKS Basement Finishing & Remodeling