When it comes to getting your basement renovated or
finished, you just cannot afford to put your money on a general contractor with
no experience of basement finishing. Of course, some of
them can certainly handle the task, but do not expect maximum satisfaction when
opting for those general contractors. You have to understand that they do not
make living finishing basements, which means their experience will always be
limited. So many things make basement finishing a challenging task, and general
contractors usually lack the experience to handle those challenges in a
professional manner. Here are some other reasons why you should always select a
professional with years of experience in basement finishing.
They Make Wrong Material Choices
General contractors can make a mistake when
selecting building materials. The thing they usually do not realize is that the
environment of a basement is different from the rest of the house, which is why
it requires different building materials. If they are going to install drywall
on the ceilings and walls of your basement, you will eventually be dealing with
sagging ceiling, moldy drywall, and musty smells. General contractors can
certainly finish the job, but they just cannot make the right decisions
considering the long-term effects of whatever material they select for your
basement.
Similarly, general contractors usually recommend
installing carpeting on a concrete basement floor, which is never a good idea.
In fact, using this option may take up to 4 inches of headroom from the overall
space. If you have a wood subfloor on the concrete, it is never a good idea to
go with carpeting because wood boards can collect moisture that can cause the
wood to swell, rot, or buckle. An experienced contractor, on the other hand,
will always offer the lasting solution you need. They always have their
emphasis on using properly insulated and organic materials that keep your basement
look great for many decades.
They are Less Reliable in Every Way
A general contractor may work amazingly well in any
other area of your house, but they may fail to deliver the same level of
satisfaction when taking care of basement finishing. This is mainly due to
their lack of experience. Moreover, the estimated cost and time they give will
not be as reliable as given by someone who specializes in basement finishing.
In fact, you should expect more than 10% cost overrun by the end of your
project. This is another reason why you need to avoid hiring a general
contractor for basement specific job.
The bottom line is that you can always find a
general contractor to handle basement finishing, but you are not going to
receive great results. You have to bear in mind that only a professional who
specializes in basement finishing will be in a position to deliver maximum
satisfaction. Therefore, take your time and ensure that you have hired a
specialist to change the look of your basement.
