ASK OUR BASEMENT FINISHING EXPERTS
Professional Advice & FAQS From Our Basement Finishing & Remodeling Team
Considering finishing your basement? Get expert answers to basement finishing and remodeling frequently asked questions, plus essential design and budgeting advice.
Our finished basement design consultants and installation teams have provided thousands of homeowners throughout New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania with an exceptional basement build experience – see what our customers are saying! Our experts are available to answer your upcoming project questions and provide insight into considerations for your upcoming project.
Get answers to FAQs and advice about:
1. The best approach for planning your basement finishing or remodeling project
2. Basement finishing design considerations
3. Basement finishing materials and upgrades/aesthetics you should consider, including trim, doors, flooring, electrical fixtures, egress entries, bathrooms, bars/wet bars/kitchens, entertainment areas, and waterproofing/water remediation systems
4. How to manage your basement finishing project
5. The basement finishing process, including obtaining permits, and scheduling inspections
Questions can be submitted to: inquiries@thebasiccompanies.com. One of our experts will respond with the information you need.
Or, read below for responses from Remodel-it Ralph to frequently asked basement finishing questions.
Q: Should I allow a basement with low ceilings and ducts protruding from the ceiling deter me from finishing my basement?
Philip Geppi
Haddon Township, NJ
A: To maximize the available space for finishing your basement, you want to make sure that you optimize the ceiling height in your usable finished area. This can be accomplished by contacting an HVAC company and discussing relocating some or all of the ducts in your basement. Before finalizing your decision on whether to finish your basement, make sure that the final ceiling height is adequate for your use.
Q: Hello. We are Angie’s List members and found your company on their site. We are thinking about having our basement remodeled. Unfortunately, the previous owners of our townhouse thought that they would attempt to “finish” the basement, which only means more work since I would guess that all of their dreadful drywall will need to be removed, and the horrible dropped ceiling also. Really, it would be more efficient to have a bare, unfinished basement! My question is, will the “de-construction” add significantly to the cost of the project?
Joni Seth
Willow Grove, PA
A: It is always better to start a basement finishing project with a bare basement as the demolition of existing work will always increase costs. The demolition cost is based on the amount of demolition work required.
Q: What is the difference in R values for insulation? Should I insulate the basement walls as part of the refinishing project, and if yes, what R value should I use?
Glenn G.
Pittsburgh, PA
A: R value is the measure of thermal resistance – a material’s ability to transfer heat or cold. It is common procedure to insulate the basement wall during the finishing process to moderate temperature change. It can also be used as a sound retardant if put in the ceiling. We recommend R13 if you are framing with 2×4 studs, and R19 for insulating the ceiling.
Q: Will there be local Building Department filing and/or permits required for the basement finishing project and who would be responsible for providing this service?
Winston Ailey
Howell, NJ
A: All New Jersey townships require construction permits, which include building, electric, and fire, as well as plumbing if required. Certain townships may require a zoning permit as well. The Basic Basement Co. will assist you with completing all necessary forms to comply with your town’s requirements.
Thanks again for making this process so painless and for making our basement look amazing.
Neil – Manalapan, NJ
