NFT: Basement systems/finishing? -- upstate NY

I'd do it myself if it were my house.

In comment 14016258 fivehead said:

Quote:

I'd do it myself if it were my house.

Some people don’t ha e the time or the tech know how to finish a basement.

Instead of drywall or a dropped ceiling just paint everything black. Joists, pipes, hvac.

Gives you more space and if you need to get anything you dont have tear drywall out.

I actually think it looks good too.

there's no ceiling, just joists, wiring, pipes and a lot of insulation. My wife especially would really like a finished look. Fivehead, if you're willing to do it for free, you're hired.

I’m house shopping now and like one I saw the other day which has a half finished basement with the other half unfinished and wide open, about 600 sq ft. I need to do some homework but I’d love to turn it into a bedroom suite. No time to do any of it myself, so if we did want the house I’d get a few quotes and go from there. I don’t see much point in half adding something like this, I’d rather pay more and make sure it’s done correctly and how I want.

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based on his helpful comment.

We've received a couple of quotes from contractors and we're shocked at the cost. We're wondering if the "systems" builders might be worth pursuing. Since we haven't moved yet, and don't know anyone in the area, I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask here.

what do you want to put in and what was the price per sq foot in the quotes you got?

but does not seem to be in your area ... if you could find a counter-part in your area I suggest at least having them come take a look and give an estimate.

https://www.mymatrixbasement.com/

In comment 14016316 CT Charlie said:

Quote:

there's no ceiling, just joists, wiring, pipes and a lot of insulation. My wife especially would really like a finished look. Fivehead, if you're willing to do it for free, you're hired.

Yeah its more of an industrial look that I happen to like. Not for everyone though. Check the link.

[Img]https://goo.gl/images/QgxJWa[/img]
Link - ( New Window )

https://www.basementsystemsofny.com/

I work for Connecticut Basement Systems and have for years.
If doing yourself, frame with steal stud,use the moisture resistant sheetrock and a top of the line dehumidifier should do the trick. That's if your basement is totally dry.
If you have any moisture or dark spots on the concrete, definitely contact a professional.
In most cases, insurance will not cover basement flooding without a waterproofing system.

a basic basement with no real problems to fix or super high end fixtures should cost $35 a square foot.

The quotes I have seen have not been close to that.

leave no gaps. Check it after a period to see if there is moisture.

Second issue is condensation. The walls are colder so moisture will condense against it.

My favorite way is to use 2" sheets of foam (for vapor barrier) glued and taped and then use wood with a pressure treated bottom plate.

this old house: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i48Tdi4H1TY


How to finish a basement - ( New Window )

...we did ours 8 years ago - worked out great, though I have tips from the experience.

1. MULTIPLE QUOTES WITH REFERENCES. Quotes to finish our basement ranged from @$10,000 to $60,000 for similar work. (The other 2 were @$15,000 and $20,000). We went with the cheapest, not just because of price, but we knew 2 people who had work done by him. Good work, he was slow and his work wasn't perfect - exactly as the references told us.

2. Is it a dry basement? If not 100% dry, make sure you address it first! Mine used to be a friggin' swamp. EVERY time it rained, I'd get water in multiple places. Hack pump was useless. We had an expensive B-Dry system put in where they jackhammer the perimeter, put in a French drain and double sump system with battery backup. Worth every penny. Dry as a bone, NO basement smell.

3. Do research on materials. Don't just go with what the contractor wants. Saves money.

4. PERMIT and properly INSPECT contractors work. Our inspection turned up several errors - contractor didn't install proper amount of outlets per room, didn't install adequate ventilation (YOU NEED VENTILATION).

5. MAKE SURE they don't cheap out on the circuitry. I've got one run that keeps tripping circuit breakers. Even with the inspection missed it. If you've got a fridge, dehumidifier, Air Conditioner - make sure you've got enough isolation for each circuit.

I took his reply to mean finish it yourself with a contractor, not a system.

I looked at the Corning basement solution, but ultimately went with a contractor to just frame out the space and put down tile.

Fucking stressful