Finding the ideal contractor can make all the difference when renovating a basement, from creating too much space or failing to meet your needs.

An excellent London, ON basement contractor should understand your vision and communicate clearly and respectfully, which is why it’s crucial to ask relevant questions before hiring them.

All you need to know about basements and their potential are the right questions to ask and the right contractor to hire.

Ask for References

No matter if it’s for new construction or simply updating an old basement, hiring an experienced professional is essential. Furthermore, be sure that they are licensed and insured as this will give your peace of mind during this endeavor.

Reference checks are an invaluable way to gain more information about those whom you’re considering hiring, but it’s essential that when requesting these references you be selective and use your judgment carefully.

Referees should ideally include current employees or former supervisors that can speak to the candidate’s abilities. A former supervisor could for example comment on how well the candidate functions as part of a team and what they liked best about working together with the applicant.

Be sure to ask whether their reference is a friend, which can reveal more information about how the candidate interacts with others than working experience alone can reveal. Finally, send a personal thank you note after working with an applicant – these efforts should both improve performance.

Get a Detailed Contract

An explicit contract will help you understand exactly what the contractor is doing and its costs; additionally, this document can reveal whether or not your basement contractor has enough experience to complete your project successfully.

Step one is determining what work needs to be done – creating a home office, children’s playroom or guest suite separate from the main part of the house are just some of the possibilities available to you.

If you want to transform the space into a bedroom, a contractor must install either an emergency exit door or window in accordance with local building codes.

Contractors should hire plumbers and electricians to ensure the plumbing and electrical are compliant with applicable codes, installing pipes, drains, and outlets in the basement.

Check Their License and Insurance

When undertaking a basement finishing or remodeling project, it is imperative that the contractor you hire possesses both experience and knowledge to do an effective job. That is why it is so crucial that they be licensed and insured.

Contractors holding valid licenses have made the effort and taken the necessary steps to meet education and training requirements, as well as hold valid insurance policies with Workers Compensation coverage to protect you if injuries should arise during their jobs.

Your local contractors association, state and federal governments, as well as online sources and referrals may all provide access to licensed and insured contractors. Always request to see their certification and bond before signing a contract, to make sure they can complete it according to the terms of your agreement – otherwise if they don’t, reimbursement from their surety bond provider might be possible.

Avoid New Contractors

Basement remodels necessitate hiring a specialist contractor with knowledge of low ceilings, pipes, heating ducts and water heaters that are unique to this part of the house.

Reputable basement remodeling contractors understand these challenges and will provide solutions for them, while also being able to coordinate subcontractors and suppliers to save you time and money during your project.

Newer contractors may not understand all of the nuances associated with basement renovation, which could result in subpar results. To protect yourself from such contractors, take care to review their portfolios and customer testimonials before selecting your remodeler.

Martin Woolridge

“Pop culture advocate. Troublemaker. Friendly student. Proud problem solver.”