What kind of technical work does a basement contractor do?
Basement contractors can handle a diverse range of technical renovation tasks. The reason is that homeowners have different needs when it comes to their basements. Some want to convert it into an extra bathroom, others are looking for an additional bedroom, entertainment spot, or living area. Here are among the services your basement contractor can offer:
Basement waterproofing: This involves waterproofing and dehumidifying the basement before the finishing work begins. The contractor will recommend a suitable waterproofing system for your basement along with the cost of basement waterproofing. They will also dehumidify the space so that it’s ready for other renovations.
Crawl space decontamination: Basements are usually a favourite spot for mould because of the high level of humidity in this space. When this issue is not sorted out before renovations, the space will become nightmarish and can turn out to be a serious health hazard. Your contractor will take care of a few things in the basement to avoid water infiltration or extreme temperature fluctuations that may result in high humidity.
Foundation repairs: If your home has structural issues, it’s likely that the signs are all over your basement. Your basement contractor will fix problems like cracks in your foundation before any renovation work begins.
Basement finishing: The main work for your contractor would be to finish the basement and bring your dream to life. There are lots of possibilities when it comes to basement remodels and you can work with our contractors to turn your space into exactly what you envisioned.
Before you decide who to hire for your basement renovation project, meet them, and ask the following questions:
- How long will the renovations take?
- How many people will be involved in renovating the basement? This includes the subcontractors, designers, and employees used at different stages in the process.
- Who will I contact directly during the renovations? How often should you require an update of the work done?
- Will there be a supervisor for my project? Making sure there’s someone to supervise the work getting done is critical.
- How will you need to prepare the site for construction work ahead? Will they carry out the demolition process and at what cost?
- Is there a debris removal service or how do they plan to dispose any materials that result after the demolition work or renovations are complete?
- What measures will they take to ensure that the rest of your property is kept safe?
- Are there any client references you could provide? Ask for some past work to have an idea of what they are able to deliver.
- What is the payment schedule?
- How long have you been in the industry and served the GTA specifically?
How much does a basement contractor cost?
The amount you’ll spend on labour costs for a basement renovation greatly depends on the level of expertise and size of the room. Expect to pay anywhere between $45 and $60 per square foot on renovations. This will greatly depend on the type of materials you choose for your project as well as the complexity of the work being done. If you don’t have to invest in waterproofing, the cost will be much lower since it will only involve finishing the basement.
Expect to spend between $25,000 and $35,000 on a complete basement renovation. If you choose to add a bathroom or a kitchen, you could spend more since both require costly fixtures, electrical, and plumbing work.
Understanding Building Permits and Why You May Need One
There’s a great deal of planning that goes into renovating a basement or building a new space altogether. While there’s a lot you may not be sure of, one thing you probably know is that you will need some sort of permit before embarking on any significant construction work. However, permits may not be a necessity if you live in a remote area.
First, you’ll need to engage a code enforcement officer who will review the construction drawings and determine if your plan complies with the local codes. You’re likely to be charged a small fee for this review. Your local contractor can advise on how much it would cost as well as the processing time. Once your construction plan is approved, you will be issued with a permit that allows you to proceed with all the renovation.
This process may appear pretty simple, but it can turn out to be complicated especially if you live in some areas. Sometimes the inspectors will consider minute details in your plan and it can take a long time before it’s approved. If the renovation involves tasks that do not comply with the existing building code or that require a zoning change, you will not be given a permit until the changes are made.
If your permit application is denied, you will be given reasons as to why and given a chance to appeal the decision. There are many risks of skipping a building permit. For instance, if you don’t have a permit and you want to sell your home, the unpermitted construction may be found by an appraiser and this may result in a fine or you may be forced to deconstruct the work that was completed. In the event of significant damage like fire damage, the insurance company may deny the claim if they discover that the construction was done without a permit.
