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!

Then Charlaine saw what a Boston basement finishing company did in her friend’s home. “They’re both fitness fanatics,” she explained, “and they wanted their own home gym. So they had one built in their basement. Now, I have less than no interest in a gym, but I was definitely interested in having my basement transformed. I said to them, “You have to tell me who did this!”

The experience Charlaine had meeting with the Boston basement finishing contractor was much different. “It turns out that working with a company that specializes in transforming basements is a much better experience than trying to talk a general contractor into working on your basement. There’s a special skill set involved in installing flooring, walls, and lighting in the basement,” she explained. “Plus there are specific products used to stop mold and mildew from becoming an issue.”

Even more than the expertise, Charlaine valued the fact that her Boston basement finishing contractor really listened to her. “He didn’t tell me anything was impossible. Instead, he really delved into how I wanted to use the space, and what would make it work well for me. What a refreshing change!” Today, Charlaine spends three or four days a week working out of her basement office. “I certainly don’t miss the commute to the office,” she said, “and having this bright, airy office appear out of what was a cramped, dark basement was the best thing that could have happened to this space.”

#1: I’m worried my basement is so damp that mold & mildew will grow on any new walls or floors. Can you help?

Absolutely! When we work on a home, we use our innovative basement finishing system to create walls and floors that are both mold and mildew resistant. These aren’t the two-by-four and drywall walls you may be used to: these organic building materials are a feast for the nasty spores that turn into mold and mildew. Instead, after we’re done, you can enjoy your new basement knowing mold and mildew aren’t a concern for you.

#2: If you guys handle the basement walls and floors for us, do you know someone who can do the plumbing and electrical work?

We absolutely do – because we do the entire basement renovation job ourselves. Customer service is our top priority, and we think there’s nothing more frustrating than having to track down six or seven different professionals just to renovate your basement. Our total renovation packages mean all you have to do is show up and enjoy your new space – stress free and simple!

#3: We’ve heard horror stories about basement remodeling companies that quote one price, start the job, and then suddenly announce everything’s going to cost a whole lot more. Is that something we have to worry about if we choose you?

There are some bad apple contractors who do the best they can to give our industry a bad name. But we’re not like that! We guarantee our contracted price. You’re not going to pay any more than you agreed to pay for contracted items and labor. Sometimes homeowners decide to make changes to their plan mid-project; if that happens, we get everything in writing and let you know how much the new cost will be. Sometimes homes have unsuspected structural problems or other issues: in those instances, our commitment is to keep you fully informed and let you know what your options are before moving forward. There are never any financial surprises when you choose Kaks Basement Finishing & Design!

When you work with the best Boston basement refinishing company, they’ll help you make the most of the space you have. It can be tricky to look at your basement the way it is now and envision how it could work as a living space. By looking at examples of similar renovation jobs the basement finishing company has done, it can spark your imagination and help you figure out how you’d like your space to work. Our experienced team will work closely with you to create a bright, airy comfortable space that’s pleasant and enjoyable to be in.

Some Boston area families are using their finished basement apartments as transition housing for their children, who have graduated from college and are actively job hunting; the freedom to be able to leave to pursue a great career opportunity without worrying about fees or hassles associated with breaking a lease can be very liberating. In other cases, generations sharing a home has turned out to be more of a long-term situation, giving grandparents and grandchildren a unique opportunity to develop strong, lasting bonds.

The concerns Stacey had about her Boston basement included some very common complaints. The floor was extremely unlevel; it was difficult to walk around without tripping. The walls were bare concrete block, with surface mounted electrical wires. The furnace was located in the center of the basement, making it difficult to image how the space could ever be used.

“My Mom was the one who told me not to give up on the idea,” Stacey said. “She said call in some Boston basement finishing contractors and see what could be done.” She shook her head. “I really wasn’t sure, because I didn’t have much of a budget. But you know how Moms are.”

After meeting with the basement finishing company, Stacey learned that some of the issues she thought were deal breakers could actually be addressed fairly easily. Leveling the floor and finishing the walls was pretty straightforward. Moving the furnace to a more reasonable location required a little more effort and some coordination with a HVAC contractor, but once it was out of the way, “We had a surprising amount of space to work with,” Stacey said.

Her mother knew exactly what to do with the newly renovated space. “Turning the basement into a guest room/getaway has been great,” Stacey said. “That way when Mom – or any of our out of town friends come in for a show or event – we have a place for them to stay.” She beamed. “It’s really awesome, actually. So if you think your basement can’t be done over, do yourself a favor and have a contractor check it out first. You may have more options than you know.”

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.”

Dwayne bought his Boston home knowing he’d want to create a home theater. “The family room was the obvious location, but my wife had something to say about that,” he laughed. “So I started looking for a basement finishing company to convert our basement into a home theater.”

The basement in Dwayne’s home had been used primarily as a storage and utility space. “There were some elements in there that just couldn’t be moved,” he explained, “such as the furnace and electrical service boxes. But with a great basement finishing system, those kind of ugly but totally necessary items were safely contained out of sight. There’s easy access for service professionals when they need it, but otherwise?” Dwayne shrugged. “You’d never know they’re there.”

With the concrete walls finished and new flooring and lighting installed, Dwayne’s newly finished basement was the ideal setting for his long-desired home theater. “Getting that set up was the best part,” he said. “With the big TV over there, some comfy seating for my family over here, it’s all good. We even got a theater style popcorn machine.” Dwayne’s family and friends have definitely enjoyed gathering in the new space for movie marathons – including, of course, a viewing of all the Star Wars films in advance of the upcoming new release.

“I’d encourage everybody to think about how their basement could make their family happier,” Dwayne said. “Yes, you need storage. Yes, you need your furnace and whatnot. But when you work with a great Boston basement finishing company, it’s possible to have a basement that gives you what you need and what you want. Your home is your castle. Shouldn’t it be awesome?”

The couple had thought about creating a home gym for years, but didn’t have the space. “There’s literally no space where we can add on to the house,” Greg explained, “and every room of the house already has a purpose. I didn’t want to deal with a treadmill in my living room!” Then a friend suggested they consider finishing the basement to create a home gym.

“At first I was against the idea because our basement was dark and kind of gross. I didn’t like being down there,” AnneMarie said. Reviewing the wide range of basement finishing systems available went a long way toward changing her mind. Converting what had been a dark, wasted space into a bright, family-friendly home gym involved having the basement finishing company address a moisture issue, cover what had been exposed concrete block walls, floor joists and wiring, install lighting and flooring and making the staircase by which the family accessed the space “much less terrifying” in AnneMarie’s words.

“Honestly, the hardest part of the process was figuring out how we wanted to arrange our workout equipment,” Greg said. “It was surprisingly to have our basement transformed into a home gym.” It was also more affordable than the Boston couple had anticipated. “Between saving the money on gym memberships and what we’d budgeted for the project, we actually had some money left over to buy a new elliptical machine!” Now the family can work out in comfort, no matter what the weather is. “It’s amazingly convenient. If a healthy lifestyle is important to you, I definitely recommend talking to a basement finishing company to see what you can have done in your home!”