Posts Tagged long island basement contractor
How to choose the right Long Island basement Design
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on October 24th, 2011
If you live on Long Island and have a huge basement under your home which is full of clutter, cobwebs, cockroaches, mice and other
organisms then you are plainly wasting an opportunity to make your home more fun because that essentially abandoned part of your home could be transformed into something you and your family can be proud of. Many people are seeing the need to design their Long Island basements into something useful and there is no reason why you should be left behind. Here are a couple of tips to choose the right basement design so that it will be transformed into a place you will cherish.
Long Island basements are naturally more humid and cooler compared to other parts of your home and this should be taken into account when coming up with a basement design. Even though you may want to turn that part of your home into something that can help you chill out, it will be unwise if the design will cause damage to your home and that is why you should stay away from an idea such as installing a hot tub in your basement because it will only result in excessive amounts of moisture which will result in molds and rotting of wooden areas.
It’s also important to consider shortages you may be facing in your main house and incorporate that into your basement design. For instance if you receive lots of visitors and face problems accommodating them in your main house then it may be a good idea to design your basement into a guest suite with a bathroom and other essential facilities to make your visitors as comfortable as possible. However make sure you have enough room in your basement to be able to execute this to perfection and don’t forget to install ample heating to ensure your guests don’t suffer from the lower temperatures down there.
If you and your family enjoy going to theatres to watch movies then it will be a great idea to design your basement into a movie room, equipped with large screen plasma or LCD TV, DVD player as well as surround systems to generate the ultimate movie experience. It won’t be a bad idea to have a pop corn machine installed somewhere down there and this will guarantee more family time with your spouse and kids, while saving you some movie ticket costs. On the other hand if there is lack of room for your kids to play or you realize that they are always messing up your living room then transforming your basement into a game room equipped with a large TV, couches, console games, pool tables, etc. will give your kids the chance to play and have fun.
The basement under your Long Island home can also be transformed into a workout gym, office, workshop, bar, etc. depending on your preferences and whichever design you decide to opt for, you should make sure you will get the necessary permit as well as ample lighting and escape windows for unforeseeable situations.
Click here for a qualified Long Island basement contractor.
Long Island Finished Basements – Painting
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on August 15th, 2011
Your Long Island Finished Basement is a valuable asset and a very important portion of your home to take care of. In order to protect the basement of your home from moisture and rot, one cost efficient way is to apply a fresh coat of paint by an expert professional basement contractor. Failing to keep up with remedial maintenance and repair to your basement can turn out to be a costly mistake. Doing a makeover to your basement will give a higher value to it. Not only that, you will be in a happy mood after the work is done. The extra protection and renewed life a new paint job will give to your basement can last for several years. Secure at least three bids and choose the best LI basement contractor based on your pre-determined criteria.
In planning a total remodel or just a painting of your basement homeowners are face with the challenging decision of whether to hire a professional painting contractor or making it a do-it-yourself project. Many people are happy with the results of the painting jobs done by professionals. They believe that the quality and craftsmanship provided by good painters are worth much more than the money paid. Also the time it would take for you to do it yourself does not equal in value to the time you could spend on other projects. You might be contemplating doing the job yourself because you are having a hard time finding the right contractor. Maybe you think the cost of having somebody else do the job is too high.
If you have the money and not the time to have a professional paint your basement your going to be looking for certain criteria in your search for a Long Island Basement Contractor. Some questions you might have before you begin will be:
- How will you discover a good painting contractor?
- How can you rest assured that the finished project will meet or exceed your expectations?
- What methods will you need to follow to get a fair deal?
These are some issues you might be dealing with or should be considering. If you are deciding to paint your basement plus other areas of your home you should be able to be qualified for a volume discount. Some contractors are able to apply a better rate when the job is bigger. So now is the time to consider painting the whole basement instead of one room or painting the whole house. Depending on your budget and desire to change colors will justify your decision.
Finding a good Long Island basement painting contractor is not that difficult. You need a little common sense and some minimal resources to get on the right track. Check your local papers for ads. Some of these are free and delivered right to your door or you might get them at the local market. Search the internet for Long Island Basement painting or Long Island finished basements. Whatever term you use you should be able to find a list of contractors able to do your job.
Once you narrowed your search down choose three contractors you think might be good for you. Set up the appointments and have them over for an estimate. The estimates should be free and the contractor should be able to give you a time they will be over. While they are at your home ask them what type of paint and primer they will use for your basement. If you don’t have any idea of the paint you want to use let them suggest a brand they like. Usually Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams are the products the professionals use.
Request that they give you references of past jobs. Three or four references is not so bad a number to ask for. They should easily be able to supply you with that. Try to evaluate the contractor’s behavior during the interview. You don’t need a degree in psychology but some common sense and gut feeling will serve you right. Good contractors show their professionalism with positive enthusiasm, courtesy and sincerity in dealing with the probing questions of potential customers. They welcome direct and straightforward questions. Your end result is to have a good job at a fair price but having a contractor with a good attitude is always an added bonus.
If the three contractors you chose have impressive customer references and pass your other criteria, you can start negotiations. Ask them to look at your home and submit a detailed scope of work and cost. Services would cover brand, quantity, type of paint and primer, color schemes, caulking, number of coatings, time frame of work from start to finish, estimated project cost, insurance, clean up etc. Once they have submitted their bids, it is now time to finalize the terms and conditions and sign up a deal with your preferred Long Island painting contractor!
Long Island Finished Basements
Affordable Long Island Basement Decorating
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on August 11th, 2011
Have you been thinking about refinishing your long Island basement? Are you trying not to spend a lot of money? Presented to you today are some techniques you can use to help you redesign your basement without having to spend too much.
- First things first. You need to figure out how you are going to use your basement. Recreation, work, living quarters, storage, entertainment, all of the above. These usage ideas will guide you through the plan and design. So figure out a plan first.
- Flooring can be a quick fix to your basement boredom. If you have a dry basement carpeting is your quickest affordable option. New carpeting can be done in a day and make your finished basement feel like new again.
- Painting is another one of those affordable interior decorating techniques. You get the biggest effect with the least amount of money. With all the colors, shades and textures you can transform your basement into something totally new and different without going to extreme in price.
- Mirrors are a great way to open up a room. Mirrors give the illusion of doubling the amount of cubic footage within any given space. Installing mirrors is relatively inexpensive and can be done rather quickly. If used correctly mirrors can give your basement that extra flair and class without you having to get another loan to pay for your finished basement project.
- Shelving is a versatile element that can be used not only to store books but to showcase your collectibles, photos, plants and any other decorative items. These items can all be based on a theme to help pull the space together nicely. Shelving is rather inexpensive depending on the quality of the units you buy. Try to get the best quality you can afford because it’s an important feature that is most noticeable. Shelving or book cases can also be used to create a wall to separate a space into different areas. Most finished basements are created as one big unified space so if you want more rooms you can use book cases to create a separation. Otherwise you’ll have to pay for a wall to be built which could drive you out of budget. Also when you outgrow the bookcases you can easily remove them and get back the bigger space.
- Lighting can easily transform your basement alone. Since your finished basement is usually on the darker side lighting tends to have a more dramatic effect on it’s inhabitants. Lighting can be used to brighten up the whole area or spotlight certain elements on their own. Inexpensive floor lamps and table lamps can add a sense of comfort and change the feel of your space. If you have a drop ceiling you can easily change the ceiling lights to create a totally different look.
- Paneling is an age old technique that will totally change the look and feel of your basement. There are many designs and price levels you can choose from. There is a supplier called Long Island Paneling where you’ll find a big selection of paneling to suit your needs.
- Ceiling tile can be easily changed and installed. It is a quick way to change the look and feel of your basement.
You don’t have to spend too much to refinish your basement. If you’re lucky enough to have a prefinished basement you’ll have the luxury of choosing inexpensive cosmetic changes instead of having to deal with structural walls and construction of it all. Cosmetic changes are the easiest and most inexpensive ways to transform your basement.
Click here for a Long Island basement contractor. Discover their finished basement building process. Free estimates
5 Great Home Renovation Projects For Your Basement
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on March 22nd, 2011
Chair Rail – Chair rail molding is a project that’s quick and results in almost instant impact on the room you have it installed. Chair rail molding can be installed at varying heights, usually between three and four feet from the floor. The height depends on the room’s dimensions, the taste of the home owner and the width of the material. Chair rail can be painted or stained a multitude of colors and textures. There are also different molding profiles you can choose from to accent the over all theme of the room. You can get a simple or complex profile that’s thin of fat. You can choose to do one strip of chair rail or you can have paneling that’s recessed or built out to accommodate the chair rail.
Painting – Painting a room or a home is a project that every home needs or will need at some point in its life. Painting can be a do it yourself project or you can hire a contractor to do it for you. Painting can add new life to an otherwise dated or boring space. It doesn’t take much time to complete a painting project as compared to other renovation projects and the cost is very affordable.
Crown Molding – Crown molding will add dramatic impact to any room. Crown molding is installed to the upper corners of the ceiling and adds a design flare that will easily increase a homes value and appearance. Crown molding is available in many sizes and designs that can be painted or stained. This job is best given to professionals because it’s a complex job that requires experience in the field that the average home owner does not have.
Fireplaces – Adding a fireplace can either be a complex job or a fairly simple job. A
complex fireplace requires the expertise of a mason who will pour a foundation and build
you a fireplace on top of that
foundation with brick. A little less involved would be a pre-cast fireplace that can be installed by almost any contractor. The fireplace is pre made in a factory and the home is altered to accept the precast fireplace. A chimney is built and a special flue is run up the chimney and out. You can get even less involved and have a gas fireplace installed. These fireplaces don’t even need a chimney. They can be vented right out of the wall. They can even be operated via remote control.
Tile – Tile can be used to add value, function and comfort to any space. Adding tile to kitchen or bath are the most likely places in the home that will be tiled but there are other areas that you might find a good place to tile. Kitchen and bath counter tops and back splashes, entrance foyer, basement, sun room, garage and a covered porch are some other good areas. There are two main types of tile porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain is more durable than ceramic but if you’re shopping for tile to be used in your home you shouldn’t have to worry about which one to choose. The ceramic will be fine for any residential application. Just make sure not to use wall tile on the floor. Wall tile is weaker and thinner than floor tile.
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