basement finishing – Page 2 – Kaks Basement Finishing & Remodeling

Mar 20 2017

Basement Finishing In 2017

WHAT DOES BASEMENT FINISHING LOOK LIKE IN 2017?

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!

Sep 30 2016

Basement Finishing Hanover Ma

Basement Finishing on the South Shore, remodeling extra basement space into a usable area is becoming more and more popular. My friend and homeowner Meredith from Hanover was looking to refinish her basement into a new office and extra bedroom. She had a few companies out to give her free estimates…
“Not all basement finishing companies are the same”, says Meredith.
Meredith told me about long, drawn-out home consultations with basement finishing companies that went on for hours, with pressure to sign before the salesperson left. She wasn’t impressed with their tactics or style of presentation.
She had a local basement finishing company from the South Shore come out, and she told me all about it. “They were quick with measurements, no pressure, no sales tactics, actually walked me through with design ideas. I really liked their vision. A few days later I received a price – honestly, it was a little higher than expected.”
Meredith confirmed, “I felt good about the price, knowing that the quality of the materials was much better, and the level of customer service I was receiving – great communication from booking my appointment to the layout of my basement – it was a much better experience than the other companies.”
It’s important to feel no pressure, without lengthy presentations. Materials that will last a lifetime, this was a must for Meredith. She got exact pricing, a great design, no pressure to sign, no wasted time, with no negotiating.
Meredith reminded me, “also knowing that the basement remodelers were from this area really helped to secure my decision.”

Sep 19 2016

Finishing A Basement With DRY-WALL – WOOD – FIBERGLASS INSULATION – PANELS ?

Do I Really Have To Worry About Finishing My Basement With DRY-WALL – Wood, Fiberglass insulation – panels And Why ?
If you have been thinking about finishing your basement it is important to have a good understanding about the basement environment, here you will find facts about the proper use of building materials, and why using organic & moisture sensitive materials like dry-wall, wood, paper and fiberglass insulation – panels in a basement are all food sources for mold growth. And due to their inferior properties they are the lest effective solution when applied in an environment like a basement. Mold is a major concern & needs a source to grow, here are five ingredients necessary for mold growth (food source, air, moisture, suitable temperature, and a surface to grow on) below explains the common problems with leaking, moisture and high humidity. And why organic – moisture sensitive materials are hazardous and will become damaged when used in a basement.
“It has been documented that at least “ 98% of all sub-surface basement areas will leak, at some point in their life.” There can be many reasons for a damp or leaky basement, and they all add up to problems for you as a homeowner, if not corrected. Actual water leakage should not be confused with the high relative humidity typically found in basements. Both leaking and high levels of humidity will destroy inferior building materials. If your house has a basement, then basement water leakage and excess basement humidity levels along with the installation of improper building materials are major contributors to mold growth in your home. Below are examples of the damage that happens when moisture is trapped between the foundation wall and the finished basement wall using dry-wall, wood, paper faced fiberglass insulation allowing mold to grow unnoticed. Mold growth in walls of the home is a serious health concern. Long-standing moisture problems can lead to termite infestation and decay, resulting in structural damage to the house. Thats why its important to avoid materials that DO NOT BELONG in the basement. Fiberglass insulation when wet acts as a sponge and will retain water from flooding and humidity, falling apart and loosing its insulative R-value & allowing mold growth. The manufacturer of this product developed a basement wall finishing system using a fiberglass panel with a fabric covering and promotes it to be used in the basement but recommends storing fiberglass in a dry place? this is true for drywall HENCE the name DRY-WALL.they also recommend storing it in a dry place, why would you use it in a basement?

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!

KAKS Basement Finishing & Remodeling