Hingham basement remodel – Kaks Basement Finishing & Remodeling

Jun 03 2016

Money Magazine’s Tips for Smart Basement Remodels

We were thrilled to see this article in Money Magazine that calls finishing the basement the cure for an undersized home. The fact that renovating the basement costs about half of what a comparably sized addition does is the reason many Hingham homeowners choose to improve underground.

Money Magazine mentions many people’s top concern about refinishing the basement: moisture. If your current basement gets damp or even wet, there are steps that can be taken so you can have a finished basement without worrying about mold or mildew. Every home’s basement issue is unique: in some cases, cracks in the foundation or poorly maintained gutters can be responsible for moisture. New drainage or a sump pump may need to be installed. The key is to eliminate, as much as possible, the source of moisture and then choose a basement remodeling system that’s robustly mold-resistant.

Another issue we were glad to see Money Magazine discuss is soundproofing. It’s a smart investment to protect the downstairs from all the sounds of activity upstairs, and vice-versa. Sound proofing helps maintain privacy in the household, a vital consideration if you’re converting the basement into a downstairs apartment. Sound control and quality are very important for the basement home theater as well.

In Massachusetts, habitable spaces are required to have a ceiling height of no less than seven feet. Basements that were not intended to be habitable spaces can be much lower. As your Hingham basement specialist, we can advise you on what needs to be done to bring your home into compliance; the answer varies depending on how the basement was originally built.

Finally, the Money Magazine article touches on something we don’t often talk about: the tax implications of having your basement refinished. A basement renovation doesn’t add to the footprint of your home, and generally tax assessors don’t count finished basements as living spaces, so the impact on your property tax bill is minimal.

It’s really a great read so we recommend everyone check it out!

Apr 08 2016

Insulation & Soundproofing Key to Great Basement Renovation

“I lived in my parents’ basement for quite a while when I was younger,” Steve said with a laugh. “And my memories of that time were not exactly pleasant. My Dad did his best to fix it up, but there was no hiding the fact I was down in the cellar, where it was cold and damp.” He shook his head. “So when my daughter came to me about having our basement remodeled into an apartment for her, I had my doubts.”

The basement renovations of yesteryear are a far cry from the sophisticated basement remodeling systems available in Hingham and other Western Massachusetts towns today. Two key components that make a difference are improved insulation and soundproofing.

“Insulation keeps the cold out and the warmth in,” Steve explained. “Back in the day, we used fiberglass bats. I was surprised when our Hingham basement finishing contractor recommended a rigid board insulation product. But it turns out that if you want real insulating power and a successful way to fight off both moisture and rodent problems, the rigid board insulation is the way to go.”

“My daughter tends to be loud,” Steve said. “Whether she’s talking on the phone or listening to music, the volume is all the way up. When her bedroom was upstairs, I learned to deal with it. But the idea of having her directly under our bedroom concerned me. I don’t want to be able to hear her when I’m trying to sleep, and I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear us!” Soundproofing panels address this issue in basement renovations by introducing sound-buffering layers that give parties both upstairs and down peace and quiet.

“Now that we’ve had our basement remodeled, I have to say it turned out pretty nice,” Steve said with a smile. “It’s definitely better than the living quarters I had when I was that age!”

Feb 12 2016

Basement Renovations Deliver Impressive Homeowner Satisfaction Scores

In a report that’s sure to be of interest to Hingham homeowners, the National Association of Realtors revealed that converting the basement into a usable living space is among the most satisfying on home renovations. Every year, the National Association of Realtors shares their Remodel Impact Report, which tracks both the Joy Score and Value Recovered of many popular home upgrades.

Kitchen and bathroom renovations have long topped these reports. These rooms quickly become dated,and upgrading features and fixtures to accommodate current lifestyle trends is a mainstay of the home remodeling industry. Basement renovations, on the other hand, are a relatively new phenomenon. While homeowners have always considered finishing the basement, it’s only with today’s convenient basement finishing systems that more and more people are beginning to avail themselves of all the possibilities.

Converting the basement into additional living space is an always popular option, in Hingham and throughout the region, because children are living at home longer than ever before and need distinctly separate living spaces. This can also be of interest to aging parents.

Of course, additional living space isn’t the only option for your Hingham basement. Some homeowners opt to create their own private gyms or home theaters in what was their basement. Many families use this opportunity to increase the amount of storage space available to them, which is used for everything from out-of-season sports gear to holiday decorations. Entrepreneurial types have been known to have their basements converted into a home office.

According to the survey, basement renovation achieved a 9.4 on the 1-10 Joy Scale, and recovered 69% of their value. That means they’re a smart choice for the Hingham homeowner.

KAKS Basement Finishing & Remodeling