Basement Development: What To Expect

Basement Development

   When choosing what to do with your unfinished basement, there are lots of options. Perhaps you would like to add a bathroom, man cave, exercise room, basement legal suite or theatre room. Whatever your reason, I will bring your ideas to life.  I’d like to take you for a tour of my basement development process. It starts with a free estimate where I come meet you at the future development site. I assess the space, see that your desires will fit in the space and take some measurements for the floor plan. I acquire your email to send you a quote and a few detailed drawings. Upon an agreement and upon city approval, the development will begin on the agreed upon start date. Before any physical work gets done, there’s a plan to build. For this, I obtain a BCIN drawing for your project and acquire all other required documents and permits.

     The start date arrives and I’m here and get to work. The lumber package has been delivered and I bring it in and start framing. Once framing is completed, depending on the project, I would organize all the required licensed trades (for example, plumber, electrician, etc.). Then, I take care of the inspections from the city. When it comes to your basement development project, you meet with me and I get the rest done for you. I keep you updated through email on your project status/progress as well as the inspection reports.

      Now that we have Stage 1 complete (framing, plumbing, electrical, trades) with inspection(s) passed, I move on to insulation and poly. This is one of the most important parts because if it’s done correctly, you’ll have a nice, cozy warm basement. It’s so important that the city requires an inspection. After the inspection is passed by the city, we get an order that we are good to cover. In other words, drywall and mudding begins. After that, we move on to the fun parts, finishing and painting—as in casings, interior doors, jambs and colour.  If you want to match the finishings of your upstairs, I will work with you and the suppliers to get as close a match as possible or if you want a completely different look, I will work with you to get the finishings/look you want. Next is flooring--your laminate, tile, carpet, hardwood, I install these too. During this time, I arrange to have the plumber and electrician (trades) back to do their final (hook-up sinks, faucets, install electrical receptacles and switches, etc.). After this, I install the baseboard, which was prepped and painted in the earlier finishing painting stage. I arrange a final check with the city who does a final pass and closes your permit. Your basement development is now complete!

       Now, generally, depending on the size and details in your project, it takes approximately 1–2-months to complete a basement development from the construction start date.  I take care of the entire project for you--planning, permits, inspections, coordinating licenced trades as well as work as the carpenter (general and finish carpentry/cabinetry work) on your project. If you’re looking to dress your basement up further with some wood feature details such as crown, wood feature wall, chip-lap or decorative beam details, I can custom craft those for you as well. With me being the sole skilled carpenter and project manager for your basement development, it allows you to rest easy knowing that I will bring your dream basement to reality.