Ready to Finish Your Basement? Here’s a Design Consultation Checklist
Designing a basement finish seems simple enough, especially if you’re only adding a bedroom, a bathroom, and a rec room. How hard can it be, right? Well, when you consider the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical lines already in place in an unfinished basement that must be accommodated and worked seamlessly into the design, you begin to realize the value in working with an experienced contractor who knows the ins and outs of the design process. Does your contractor have both solid construction experience and design expertise? Both skill sets prove invaluable when it comes to a successful basement finish.
This design consultation checklist will guide you in asking the right questions on the front-end of the project, giving you confidence that you and your design/build team are in sync.
- What should I expect with your process?
Clarify up-front who your main point of contact will be. What are the project milestones and what part do you (as the client) play in reaching them? How is the payment structure tied to project milestones? Where will you go to make interior selections for items such as tile, countertops and flooring? Clearly establishing these expectations at the beginning of the project paves the way for open communication in the weeks ahead. - Tell me about past projects you’ve done that are similar to mine.
A reputable contractor should have former clients who are willing to talk to you, or even those who would allow you to walk through their newly-finished basement to see the contractor’s work first-hand. Don’t hesitate to follow up on references given. - What do you love about/find most challenging about basement design?
Every basement is different, and some prove more challenging to design than others. Ask if your basement has any characteristics, such as ceiling height or location of plumbing or HVAC lines, that pose a design challenge requiring a work-around. - Are my plans/expectations realistic?
You might as well know right now whether or not the dream spa retreat bathroom you had envisioned for your basement is feasible or not. Sometimes it’s the location of existing plumbing lines that becomes a determining factor, and other times it comes down to your budget–do you want to sink it all into that luxurious bathroom? An experienced designer will help you set realistic expectations based on your budget and vision, as well as the existing structures in place. - What trends should we consider?
A designer may have ideas you hadn’t considered or even thought of, such as insulating the basement ceiling for sound attenuation, or using EVP (enhanced vinyl plank) flooring in lieu of carpet. He or she can also help you weed out the great ideas from the possible fails on your Pinterest boards. - How disruptive will construction be?
Again, establishing clear expectations up-front will lessen frustration down the road. Discuss how the trades will enter and exit your home; will it be through a basement window, or–if you have a walk-out basement–will there be a lockbox on a basement door? What times of day will trades begin and end work, and what about weekends? What is the best way for trades to reach you, if needed? - How do you handle changes or unexpected issues?
How much of a contingency is a realistic amount to work into your budget? What is the process for approving changes, should they arise? These questions could also be addressed in the “What should I expect with your process?” conversation with your contractor. - How do you ensure that the timeline and costs stay on track?
Understanding the design/build process helps to underscore the important role of both homeowner and contractor in keeping a project running smoothly. Certainly the project comes to a screeching halt if the contractor hasn’t scheduled the trades in a timely manner, but just as surely, the job stalls out if the homeowner doesn’t make design choices in time to get materials ordered and delivered to the jobsite when needed. - What guarantees do you provide?
Hire a contractor who stands behind their work, and won’t be unreachable if something goes wrong six-months down the road. - How do you prefer we communicate? How often will you check in with me?
Again, clear communication is perhaps the number-one priority in ensuring a successful outcome to any project. Make sure you hire someone with whom communication is both comfortable and trustworthy. - Do you welcome client involvement?
Not all contractors welcome a large degree of client involvement. Once you sign on the dotted line, is your contractor going to continue to listen to your ideas and input? You have every right to be involved; find a contractor who welcomes your ongoing engagement in the project. - How do you prioritize to make the most of the budget you have to work with?
Your project should be grounded in a list of set, or standard, specifications which are included in the base contract price. Be sure the contractor you select is clear about defining those base specifications before beginning your project. You don’t want to think you’re getting upscale nickel hardware to match the existing door hardware in your home, only to find that you contractor is installing something from the clearance aisle at Home Depot. Sure–he can match what you’ve got, but who knows how much it will cost? Starting with clear project specifications proves the best way to maximize your budget.
