Basement Remodeling

February 24, 2010

Basement bars

The top three items people want when remodeling their basement. Home theaters, bathrooms and bars. A basement bar adds a nice touch to a finished basement. It can make a simple snack area for your home theater or an exciting place to entertain friends and hang out to watch a football game on the big screen. Whatever it is you need, it can be done. The biggest factor when creating a basement bar is budget. By time you add cabinets, countertops, tile, appliances, etc the cost can add up very quickly. You need to figure out what the primary use of the bar will be and try to set your budget accordingly.

A simple basement bar could be made up with several different cabinets choices for the floor and the wall cabinets. You could use a midrange quality cabinet with a laminate top. You can use an inexpensive sink and faucet to make it a wet bar. Depending on budget you can add a tile floor or backsplash.  If that’s not in the budget just paint the drywall behind the bar and carpet up to the cabinets. You can always add the tile work later down the road. The average cost of a simple basement bar would be around $2,500-$4,500 depending on your selections and feature

Basement bar

Basement bar with undercabinet lights, a mini frige and wine fridge but no sink

Simple basement bar
Bar with mini fridge, wine fridge, and sink

An custom bar would usually consist of higher end cabinets, granite countertops and be slightly larger or have an actual wrap around bar for seating. The cabinet choices for this type of bar would vary greatly. You could also dress up the cabinets with different types of decorative moldings. This would be the type of bar for entertaining guests at a party. You would basically have all the features of your kitchen. This bar would not only have a sink and faucet but it would have a disposal, dishwasher, refrigerator, wine fridge, microwave and more. You would complete the bar with floor tile and an interesting tile backsplash accent complete with under cabinet lighting to highlight the features in your design. You could have different levels to the bar or add pendant lighting above. You could build in flat screen TV’s or fish tanks in the wall. There is many different ways you can make your bar stand out above the rest. the average cost of a custom basement bar will start around $5,000 and go up from there. For more information on basement remodeling visit BasementSource.com

Custom basement bar

Basement bar with full fridge, microwave, wine rack, undercabinet lights, tile backsplash, and more

Finish your basement with less dust and save your furnace

When finishing a basement there is going to be dust spread throughout the house. It travels through the air and in the vents and on the shoes of the workers coming in and out of the basement. It comes mainly from rough framing, concrete demolition, installing insulation, drywall, interior trim and painting. There are ways you can help control the levels of dust in your home during the project.

Keep the dust down

Make sure that you or your basement contractor take these steps before starting the remodeling work.

Move all personal belongings out of the basement. If there is no room and they have to stay in the basement move them into an area that is not being finished and cover them well with plastic. It’s also good to hang plastic over the crawl space openings and Install a wall of plastic around the mechanicals area (furnace, hot water tank, etc.). Make sure when you do this that you leave enough room for the furnace and other gas appliances to breath. Stay at least 4 ft away from all of the mechanicals. You can also buy a system called a    ZipWall   that makes it easy to block off areas from dust.

Make sure the door at the top of the stairs is always kept closed when not in use. Open a basement window and place a fan in the window blowing out. This will create a vacuum in the room and blow a majority of the dust outside. Then when the door on the upstairs is opened the dust in the air will be drawn down and out the fan in the basement window instead of upstairs.

When installing the return air lines in the basement make sure you stuff a towel into the opening or tape them off with duct tape. Otherwise your sending all that dust and debris straight into the furnace and throughout your home. Make sure to remove the towel or tape when the basement remodeling is complete then you can install the return air grills

Change your furnace filter several times throughout the project. It is best to change the filter once after the drywall is done, after the painting and after carpet and your final cleaning. This will help cut down on dust in the upstairs and save your furnace. When all that dust gets into the furnace it gets into the blower motor and burns it up.

And finally when your basement is done hire a professional duct cleaning company. They will come and vacuum out the all the construction dust in the air supply and return lines in your furnace. Otherwise you might be seeing dust in your house for the next several months after the project is completed.

For more information on basement remodeling explore  BasementSource.com

February 14, 2010

If you need basement remodeling ideas try google images or a basement remodeling book

If you are getting ready to finish your basement ? check out google images for ideas but try this basement remodeling book for all your answers.

basement remodeling home theater dublin ohio

They are both a great place to find ideas for finishing your basement.  If the project is a ” Do it yourself ” remodeling job or your hiring a contractor you should really check out the following book:

Basement Ideas That Work

I recommend it to customers who are still looking for ideas and its a must have for anyone who is planning on finishing a basement on their own.

This book has all types of tips, tricks, plans and more about finishing a basement

Otherwise you need to hire a basement contractor or design expert to guide you through the process.

Whether its google images or the book you will be able to see what some of the latest trends in basement remodeling are along with samples of home theaters, bathrooms, wet bars, playrooms, fitness areas, built ins, basement flooring, basement remodeling plans and much more. You can find other basement remodeling books at the BasementSource.

Both are helpful tools for creating the layout of your space because you can see ideas that have  worked for others. Helping you choose style, colors, textures and much more.

If you need a basement remodeling contractor in Columbus Ohio and surrounding areas contact us.

Thanks.




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January 25, 2010

Egress Windows

Are you considering basement remodeling? You should be aware of your local building codes egress requirements. Most municipalities are now requiring emergency exit from the basement and proper emergency entry by firemen and rescue workers in the event of a basement fire. Installing a Egress Window not only allow natural light into your basement but more importantly it will provide a safety escape for you and your family and meet your local basement egress window requirements. The best installation option is to choose a contractor that is familiar with the local codes to be sure you are meeting the requirements. The following information should give you a general idea of the requirements.
  

Building Planning Codes
IRC Code Section R310
  


R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required.
Basements and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with Section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening from the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2. Emergency escape
52 2006 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE® and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

  

  

Exception: The ladder or steps required by SectionR310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well.
  

R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with Sections R311.5 and R311.6. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
  

R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with the door panels in the fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also comply with Section R311.5.8.2.
  

R310.4 Bars, grilles, covers and screens. Bars, grilles, covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Exception: Basements used only to house mechanical equipment and not exceeding total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2).
  

R310.1.1 Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.530 m2).
  

Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m2).
  

R310.1.2 Minimum opening height. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm).
  

R310.1.3 Minimum opening width. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm).
  

R310.1.4 Operational constraints. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge.
  

R310.2 Window wells. The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet (0.9 m2), with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches (914 mm). The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.
  

Sections R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool, special knowledge or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue opening.
  

R310.5 Emergency escape windows under decks and porches. Emergency escape windows are allowed to be installed under decks and porches provided the location of the deck allows the emergency escape window to be fully opened and provides a path not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height to a yard or court.  

** Always be sure to check your local building department to make sure you meet the local requirements**




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January 3, 2010

Your sump pumps best friend, the battery backup

One of the most important things you can do before you finish your basement is to ensure you have a quality sump pump and backup system.
Every year I get calls from homeowners who’s basements have flooded due to power outages or failed sump pumps. I recommend backup systems in every basement I finish. If only the contractor that finished their basement would have recommended or installed a backup sump pump system they could have saved thousands of dollars in repairs, insurance premiums, not to mention the headaches of refinishing their basements. If your remodeling your basement spend the extra $500-$1,000 to install the proper backup equipment. Most water backup insurance deductibles are $1,000 and if you have a problem you’ll spend that anyway. At least this will save you the hassle and headache of tearing out the carpet, trim, drywall, insulation and re doing it all.
There are many things that can go wrong down with a sump pump that can cause basement flooding. It can be a power outage, a failed sump pump, a stuck float switch or a sump pump that cannot keep up with the inflow of water. Most builder use the cheapest pump they can find during construction and usually the sump pit is littered with debris by the end of the job. that sump pump has been pumping out mud, sawdust, trash, or anything else that falls in the pit. By using a battery backup sump pump your basement should remain dry during almost any occurrence.

So here are my recommendations.
1. Change out your existing pump with a high quality pump like the Zoeller M53 Automatic Mighty Mate 1/3 hp Sump Pump

2. Buy a battery backup system to install or have your contractor do it. The two I recommend are the following:
Standard- Glentronic’s Bw4000 Combination Primary and Back-up Sump Pump System
Best- SUMPRO Gold Complete Battery Back-up System w/ 2 Batteries (5000 GPH) – SPD- SUMPROGOLDKIT
(Most systems require you buy the batteries separate but you normally get the best deal from a local dealer like interstate batteries or an auto part store.)

3. Always, Always, Always have you battery backup system installed on a seperate breaker from your existing sump pump. If for some reason one of the breakers trips the other one should still function.

4. Normally the batteries only last for about 4 years so keep track of when you installed it and when its due for replacement. 

Always use a backup sump pump in your finished basement

Always use a backup sump pump in your finished basement

Author: David Michael

November 19, 2009

Tankless Water Heaters and Energy Savings

     Today’s homeowners want energy-efficient appliances. What better way to do that than with a tankless water heater. You can get an endless supply of hot water while saving money and our precious natural resources. Basement remodeling companies have been installing more and more of these systems. Why not, they take up less space, they are more efficient and they last twice as long.

     Tankless water heaters  are small wall mounted  units that heat water only when needed by using an electric coil or natural gas to heat water passing through a network of copper pipes inside. This eliminates the risk of a tank failure and the energy lost by constantly reheating water. Two of the most popular tankless water heaters are the Bosch AquaStar 2700ES NG (natural gas) and Bosch AquaStar 2700ES LP (propane) .  Typically the gas-fired tankless water heaters will produce higher flow rates than an electric tankless which is why I use and recommend the Bosch ones you see above. Some of the smaller tankless systems you might find cheaper online or at Home Depot cannot supply enough hot water for simultaneous usage in a large household so be careful when making a selection. The Aquastar 2700ES delivers 7 gallons per minute( enough to run several fixtures at once), electronic ignition( no standing pilot light), direct vent combustion, remote thermostat, and a 12year warranty on the heat exchanger with a 2year warranty on parts

     For your installation make sure you check local building code requirements and/or have a qualified plumbing , heating, or general contractor help you with your installation. Whether you choose gas or electric they should be able to help you make sure the gas venting requirements or the electrical wiring requirements are met. Remember the proper installation/maintenance of your system can optimize the energy efficiency and help it last for decades.

  
  Guidelines for the Tax Credit can be viewed on the ENERGY STAR website. 

     The average life expectancy of a tankless system can be over 20 year where a standard tank might last 10-15 years. A tankless system can have an energy savings of up to 50% and most are energy star rated. To make things even better this item qualifies for a Federal Tax Incentive equal to 30% of the purchase and installation cost up to $1500. Theses home improvement tax credits are available for energy-saving home improvements that are placed in service in your primary residense from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.  

     You can also check   http://www.dsireusa.org/. DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. There you find information for all state and local Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency.

Click here for information on how to apply for the energy tax credit

(IRS) guidelines for consumers can be viewed here: IRS Notice 2006-26 

September 17, 2009

Plans and Ideas for your Basement

Why not take advantage of  the usable space in your basement. Create a finished basement your family can enjoy and increasing the value of your home.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

There are unlimited uses for a basement.  With the proper planning and design you can create a basement that is more fantastic than you ever dreamed.  Of course there are the costs of a basement remodel which can sometimes deter people from finishing their basement.  This is where many people decide on the do it yourself (DIY) method to save some money.  As long as you have a clear set budget of what you can afford then you have a good starting place for hiring a professional contractor.  Most basement contractors will give free estimates and will usually offer advice on what will work for your space.  This is always a good place to start gathering information and details on how the space will be put together and give you good ideas on what you may want to include in your basement. The best place to start is with the book Basement Ideas. It will help you with all aspects of your basement remodeling project.

The first question to ask yourself is who the space is for.  Is it for a kid’s playroom? An entertainment area for the parents? An in-law suite? or add a basement bathroom  Figure out who the space is for and from there you can start to figure out the layout and how the rooms will flow together. Most basements are cut up and have mechanical’s and  things you will have to move or design around.  Your basement contractor can help with this or you can always hire a basement design expert if you really need help.

Below is a list of basement ideas that you check and see which of them you would like to have when you finish your basement.

 

                          Wine bar                              Basement with wine bar

Home Office, Closets & storage, Sauna, Bedroom, Children’s play area  ,Bathroom, Exercise room, Home Theater  , Hobby area, Workshop, Laundry room, Wine storage, Wet Bar, Pool room, In-Law suite

This is just a fraction of the many ideas for your basement plans

February 1, 2009

Finished Basement Climbing Wall

Basement remodeling  – Add  a kids climbing wall
 
I thought this was a neat idea to share with everyone. We were finishing a basement in Dublin Ohio and the customer wanted to install a climbing wall for the kids. We left a section of the poured basement wall unfinished when framing and just painted it white. Using 3/4 mdf kids climbing holds
were mounted to the boards. The ones we used were 2′x4′ but you could make them any size.  The homeowner wanted to paint the boards and afterwards we mounted them to the wall. We drilled into the concrete and fastened masonry anchors to hold the boards in place. After everything was finished the homeowner installed mats on the floor in case the kids were to slip and fall. Its a fun idea for the kids on a rainy day and very inexpensive to do. For more basement finishing ideas check out http://www.aribuilding.com/basement   If your looking for a contractor in the Columbus Ohio area give us a call.

 

 
 
finished-basement-climbing-wall
finished-basement-climbing-wall

 

July 5, 2008

Basement remodeling including planning, design, and costs

Planning and Ideas for your Finished Basement

Planning and Ideas for your Finished Basement

    If you want basement remodeling done first you need to set a budget. Next you need plans or a design for the basement. You can design it yourself, have a basement remodeling contractor do it, or have an architect design the plans.  A basement remodeling job can be a diy project if you have all of the skills but most people don’t have the required construction knowledge to handle all of the different aspects of the project.  You must be able to do rough carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall and much more.  You also need to know all of the local building codes which can be difficult in some areas.

     

    The easiest way to finish your basement if you don’t have all of the skills is to hire a basement remodeling contractor.  You can find one in the Yellow pages or join a service like Angie’s list. Just make sure whom ever you choose can show you samples of finished basements they have done and references from previous customers. It is always best to get at least two estimates before making your final decision. Ask your contractors to break down the costs items by item so you have a clear view of where the money is being spent.  I always tell my clients to call me after they have all of their quotes in and I will come back and go over the quotes with them.  This helps make sure the quotes are apples to apples and they are getting everything they want.

     

    Before you get started with your basement remodeling project make sure you have a clear vision on what you want the space to be.  A good basement remodeling contractor will be able to help you through the process by giving you ideas and tell you what may or may not work in your space.  Decide what your requirements are for the basement.  Do you want a home theater, bathroom, bedroom, home gym or a gameroom for the kids? Do you have leaks or moisture issues and need waterproofing done?  What type of finish materials do you want for plumbing fixtures, trim, lighting, windows, flooring, etc?  A good place to start is looking at basement remodeling magazines or finding pictures of finished basements on the internet. Google Images has hundreds of pictures from basement contractors across the globe. You can check out pictures from some of our jobs at http://www.aribuilding.com/basement

     

    Having the answers to most of these questions will help your contractor give you a more accurate quote for the final basement remodeling costs.  If your in Columbus Ohio contact us for a free estimate on your basement remodeling project. We would love to help you complete the basement of your dreams.

     

    Planning and Ideas for your Finished Basement

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    July 1, 2008

    Do you have rough plumbing for a bath in your basement? If not we have an easy fix

    Many people want to have basement remodeling done to add extra living space. Do you want a bathroom in your basement? Many times what they find out is that the house they live in the basement was never roughed in for a bathroom. Normally you would have to have your basement contractor or plumber jackhammer or saw cut the concrete floor to run the new sewer lines into the existing system and then put the concrete back. Doing that is not only costly but its also very messy. There are new systems that can save you money and spare you from the dirty work of tearing up the concrete. The Saniflo Saniplus can be built into a wall cavity in the basement concealed behind the framing system. The Saniplus is a system that is used to install a complete bathroom in a basement up to 9 feet below the sewer line, or even up to 100 feet away from a soil stack without breaking up the concrete. You can have a toilet, vanity, and shower unit all hooked up to this unit. To find out more about the system including the cost or to purchase your own systemread below.

    The Saniplus includes the macerating unit toilet tank and bowl but no seat.Since the reservoir, the macerating pump and the pipes are hidden from view, this type of installation gives you the lean and clean look of a European bathroom or powder room. The toilet uses only 6 liters (1.6 USG) of water per flush. The Saniplus is simplicity itself to install; there are just four connections:

    • The macerating pump is connected to the discharge pipe coming from the toilet.
    • The toilet tank is connected to the water supply.
    • The macerating pump is connected to small diameter discharge pipe work.
    • The macerating pump is connected to electrical supply.

    If you want to conceal the unit in the wall you will need the extension also.

    The Saniplus macerating system is comprised of a pressure chamber, which starts and stops the unit, and the motor, which drives the stainless steel macerator blades and pump. To learn more about the macerating process please refer to What is a macerator? A normal operating cycle for Saniplus takes about 10–20 seconds depending upon the discharge pipe run configuration; power consumption is therefore minimal.

    You can find out other detailed information, specs, and other helpful products at Saniflo.com. If you are interested in purchasing one, Amazon.com carries both the SaniPlus Macerator Toilet with Elongated Bowl and the SaniPlus Macerator Toilet with Round Bowl.

    Remember when doing basement remodeling always do you own research before choosing the products you will use and make sure
    that they are right for your job. If you need help try this book or hire a competent basement contractor to help you with these decisions.

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