CLIENT NAME: David &
Lori lamb
PROJECT LOCATION: Chappaqua, NY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This basement was barely a year old in
existence; The owners had an addition recently built, and instead of
having it built over a crawl space, they decided to excavate so they could
you have a full basement. The problem was that there was a terrible
moisture issue and real poor air quality; You could even say that it
simply stunk. Needless to say, the owners could not take it anymore,
having three small boys and a brand new but unusable basement.
The water table is somewhat
high in that neighborhood, so after getting rid of the entire existing
concrete floor slab, it was necessary to install a drainage system along the
entire interior perimeter of the foundations footings, along with a battery
back-up sump pump. Gravel was spread and compacted it and then a vapor
barrier followed, then an insulation blanket, wire lath and finally PEX
tubing for our hydronic radiant heat floor. After the tubing was pressurized
with air and tested for leaks, it was finally then that we were able to pour
our new concrete slab.
Scope of work also included a passive wine cellar, meaning no refrigeration
is needed to keep the proper temperature and humidity level. Over 1000
bottles can be stored here, without having to worry of a prolonged power
failure that could spoil a typical refrigerated wine cellar. Did we
also mention the energy savings? Unscented white cedar was the client
wood of choice; The diagonal partitions are removable and reversible,
allowing great flexibility in design.
Other custom built-ins were designed to accommodate an entertainment center,
as well as the boy's games. Other highlights of this rather small basement
is a solid hardwood floor, a bathroom equipped with a sewer ejector,
closets, wainscoting.
PROJECT DESIGNER: Sylvain Cote
PROJECT MANAGER: Jonathan Banza
AGE OF STRUCTURE: 2004
STYLE OF HOUSE: Craftsman
SQUARE FOOTAGE OF JOB: 800 SF
STARTING DATE: 01.06
COMPLETION DATE: 07.06
CLIENT COMMENTS: "About 3 years ago we had an extension put on our
house by another contractor. Fortunately, we didn't finish the new basement
as it proceeded to leak with every heavy rain. Even when the floor was dry,
the basement had an awful musty smell. We researched contractors and found
Absolute Remodeling. They came in put in a drain with sump pump and a new
floor. We finished the basement to be an entertainment and child play area
with a half bath and passive wine cellar. Since completing the basement, we
have had several very bad rain storms in Chappaqua and although the sump
pump has come on during and after these storms, we have not seen a drop in
the basement. The room no longer smells musty or feels damp. The kids love
to play down there (especially in the heat of the day) and the radiant floor
heating we had put in keeps the room very comfortable in the winter.
Absolute Remodeling also refinished a main floor bathroom for us which we
love. The wood work was so excellent in the basement that we had them come
back this winter to finish an office and build shelving in the master
bedroom and dining room. Although the project did drag on a while, the staff
were extremely courteous and tried very hard to give us our privacy. My
husband loves the new wine cellar (and is having a great time trying to fill
it). Overall we loved our experience with Absolute Remodeling. They have
been very good about coming back and addressing any minor concerns and even
helping out, fixing some of the other errors that the last contractor made.
Our only regret is not finding Absolute Remodeling in the first place. We
look forward to our next project."
- Sincerely, Dave and Lori
Lamb.
AVERAGE PRICE RANGE ON SIMILAR PROJECTS*: $90,000 to $100,000.
*Price based on similar existing
conditions, building supplies, square footage and other various factors and therefore
subject to change.
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