Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will there be dust in my house during the renovation process?

Unfortunately, during any type of renovation or construction process, dust is a certainty. But, we take great effort when it comes to minimizing inherent dust. The degree that it may affect you depends on your sensitivity level to dust. Some customers are bothered very little and some customers are not bothered at all. On your end, we would recommend keeping our seals intact and not entering the area until renovations are complete. Should you need additional accommodations, we can always discuss possible solutions by taking additional measures on a case by case basis.

2. Will it be noisy?

Again, like dust, some things are an unfortunate reality. This is something that cannot be minimized. It is impossible for us to be quiet and be working at the same time. Should you, or your family, need a quiet environment during this process, we encourage you to make more favorable arrangements.

3. Who is the point of contact?

You will be provided with a project manager to oversee your basement finishing and remodeling project. Should you have any questions, the project manager is the one to ask. Your project manager will be readily involved in the entire process but may not be present at all times. If he/she is not available, there will be a supervisor on-site. The supervisor will relay any questions, concerns, or compliments to the project manager and they will be addressed in a timely fashion.

4. How much do I need to be involved?

The first week of construction is the most important. This is when your basement will take shape and the rest of the project is based upon what is completed during this first week. Because of that, it is important that you are readily available for questions and a daily assessment of our work. It is important to us that we create your vision and we want to make sure we get it right the first time. After the first week, your presence will be needed far less – although we do encourage you to be a part of the process!

5. Can I become too involved?

No one likes to be told how to do their job. We are experts at carrying out our customers’ vision in the most time and cost-efficient ways possible. That being said, we value your input and want you to be a part of the process. But, what we don’t want, is for you to begin to assume the role of project manager. Heck, we’ve even completed projects with homeowners out of the state, with our only communication being a few video chats. All things being considered, there is a healthy balance that should be maintained in order to experience the most positive results.

 

6. How often will you be in the rest of my home?

We cannot stress enough that we will do our very best to be as discreet as possible. Everyone deserves their privacy. The good news is that a vast majority of our materials will come in and out of your basement windows. Most customers find it shocking to see how little we actually need to be in the rest of your home. We will never enter your home unannounced, either. But, please be advised, there will be exceptions that may require us to enter through the front or back doors, such as large pieces such as doors, bathtubs, cabinets, etc. Also, all building inspectors should be let in through a proper entrance.

7. How long will construction take?

This is a question that does not have a simple answer. Depending on the needs of your home and the scope of the renovation, times could vary considerably. One thing you can be assured of is that here, at Affordable Basement Finishing Co., we have fine-tuned our process to ensure we are in and out in a little time as possible. Since construction is a very dynamic process, unexpected things happen. Although we’d like to consider ourselves the best in the business, even we cannot guarantee a finish time. What we can guarantee is that we recognize that your time is valuable, and we will always do our very best to honor that.

8. What is your business model?

Our business model is satisfying our customers be completing the job as efficiently as possible without sacrificing quality. It is counterproductive for us to take any longer than planned and we strive to finish on time… every time. There are two things you can do to help us meet this model: Ensure that all materials are purchased beforehand and ensure your design is finalized before we start. While we can make changes on the fly, for the sake of you and our upcoming customers, we prefer to minimize changes as much as possible.

9. How do you ensure a certain level of quality control throughout the renovation process?

A construction crew is a team, and ours is no different. Our project manager serves as the head coach and all of our subcontractors are the position players. Just like a tryout, all of our subcontractors have been vetted and carefully chosen to ensure that your home is in the safest and most capable hands.

10. What about inspections?

Affordable Basement Finishing Co. will follow all state and city guidelines with no exception. For most inspections, the project manager will be on site to supervise and serve as the inspector’s point of contact. The level of inspections will be based on the complexity of the renovations, but expect rough inspections to cover framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. At the end of the job, final inspections will cover the same areas.

11. What materials will I need to supply and what does “variable customer costs” mean?

We will always supply our customer a project list which will tell you most everything you need to know when it comes to the items you need to purchase. The quantities and pricing are estimates and my not exactly reflect what you decide to buy for your basement. Like anything, the costs will be dependent on your style and how much you are willing to spend. Should your design change, so could the cost of materials. We will always notify you in a timely fashion, so you can make the best decision.

12. What if something goes wrong?

Every project will encounter bumps and bruises along the way. That is the nature of the construction business. But, by working with us, you can rest knowing that whatever curve ball is tossed our way, we will handle it as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are pros at what we do and there is little we have not encountered in our nearly 40 years on the job!

13. Do you do what you say you are going to do?

This is a great question. What we’ve come to realize over the years is that if it is not in writing it is not valid. We do not work on verbal promises and will always ensure that every aspect of the job is in writing. By doing this, we can streamline processes, itemize work and cost, and, most importantly, protect ourselves and protect you from any misunderstandings. If you see something in the paperwork that you are unsure of, let us know immediately. We will revise it to reflect exactly what is expected.

 

14. What about all my stuff down there?

We will need everything removed from the basement before we begin our work. We take no responsibility when it comes to personal items you leave down there. In fact, before we start, we will do a final sweep of the area and report anything that may need to be removed. Unless it is removed, we will not begin the job.

15. What is your policy regarding damage liability?

Please see the above question and answer. If you remove all personal items, then you alleviate any chance of them being damaged. Now, regarding the work, should we damage anything in the process of the renovation, we will be responsible for all repairs.

16. What about the foot traffic in my yard?

All of our workers will enter either through the basement walkout door or a window. We will be loading and removing lots of material as we complete the renovation process. We will choose the window that is most convenient for the job. And, sometimes, this means no sidewalk or designated walking area. While we will always be as careful as we can, we will be treading often in and out of your basement. At the end of the project, we will straighten up your landscaping and try our best to minimize any traces of our presence.

17. What about the daily mess?

Construction is a messy project. If we take the time to clean up entirely after each day of work, you will be wasting valuable time that you could be spending in your new basement. We want to let our workers work. That being said, we will always ensure that trip hazards and other safety hazards are avoided. And, of course, we will leave your new basement in pristine condition.

18. What about security?

Most of your routine will be the same. It will be up to you to lock up each evening. Should we need to stop by to check on something or drop off any material for the next day’s work, we will be sure to notify you in plenty of time. We do ask that you ensure you basement door or window is unlocked by 7AM each morning so we can get right to work and disturb you as little as possible throughout the renovation process. Any other accommodations, like you will be out of town, on vacation, etc., will be discussed with your project manager to find a solution.

19. What about material overages or shortages?

We provide a fixed price that will stay intact. Should we underestimate materials, we will not come to you for the difference. This also means that if we have ordered too much, we will return it to our vendor. We will assume all responsibility if we miss something and not our customers.

20. This is going to be loud, isn’t it?

Yes and no. Some work will be louder than others. One thing to consider is the ducting system and insulation you already have in place. When you meet with your project manager, we can discuss all options we may be able to offer you.