The home they have is a bit small for a family of five but they have managed, and when it rains the kids all seem to get together at our home or theirs to hang out and watch movies or play video games.

About a month ago, my neighbors talked about needing more space at the summer home, especially when stuck indoors, having to potentially move… I certainly didn’t want to see them go, and neither did my kids! My family was relieved to hear that the neighbors were going to add on to their home. Not up and out, but down… utilizing the old basement.

I had a tour with Matt and Marcia, and they showed me all the unused space and a plan for a great new family room. Although it was damp from some water that came in, Matt told me that “We could still finish the basement with basement specific materials, from a basement finishing company.” He also said, “I wanted to keep it local with a smaller South Shore basement finishing company that I found, one with great design ideas and a solid reputation, and most importantly for Marcia, real walls.”

I asked Matt what he would do about the water coming in when it rained and his quick reply was “We plan on saving thousands by not using a waterproofing company first… don’t need them.” Marcia added, “all the downspouts from the gutters on the house are the culprit. They’ll be readjusted to send water away from the foundation.”

“Even if I get a little moisture in here, it’s okay, because the company will be using waterproof, mold and mildew proof materials for the walls and floor. “ I was happy to know that Matt and his family weren’t moving.

Just some weeks later with the basement finished, now whether it’s raining or not, their house has all the extra space they were looking for. Inside summer days can be just as busy as outside, and their new finished basement is absolutely amazing, to say the least. My family is ready to remodel our basement next… stay tuned.

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.