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CLIENT NAME:  Gerry DiEdwards
PROJECT LOCATION:  Rye, NY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A complete rebuild, with extensive mechanicals replacement:  A new, high efficiency, condensing, modulating, direct-vent Munchkin gas boiler was installed in lieu of an oil boiler and its interior oil tank, providing additional living space. A new domestic water storage tank, along with hydronic radiant floor heat system for the lower level was also part of the scope of work.  The existing electric panel was relocated and upgraded; All of the underground plumbing waste was replaced and/or relocated... A few overhead water lines, waste lines and gas lines as well as several electric cables were also replaced and/or relocated.  In short, you could say most if not all of the mechanicals are new.

If the above wasn't enough, the entire (actually about 90%) concrete floor slab was sawed, jack hammered and discarded.  To increase head room, we had planned to remove approximately one foot (in height) of dirt and hauled it away, but we hit solid granite bedrock!  So heavy duty air jack hammers were brought in, and within a week, we were a foot deeper...  Temporary support was erected, so that both existing steel columns (posts), had to be replace with longer ones, along with new, lower newly poured post footings.  The existing stairs were now too short and had to be replaced with a brand new set of stringers, treads & risers..

The water table is high in that neighborhood, resulting in a wet basements in the entire neighborhood, so 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.

It was now the time to spread some washed gravel, compacted it and then install a vapor barrier, followed with 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 floor slab and stamp it with large rubber stamps, giving the concrete slab the look of English slates.  When all was said and done, over 7" of ceiling height was gained, no small feat.

Scope of work also included replacing existing windows with slightly larger ones, and replacing a metal door with a 15 lites French door, bringing in additional daylight.

Custom Built-ins were designed and built to accommodate an entertainment center, as well as kids clothing and sport gear;  The laundry room was relocated near the boiler, and a MP (multi-purpose) room with double French doors.

PROJECT DESIGNER and/or ARCHITECT:  Sylvain Côté, Peter Bowden
PROJECT MANAGER:  Russell Hrycko
AGE OF STRUCTURE:  1950's
STYLE OF HOUSE:  Raised Ranch
SQUARE FOOTAGE OF JOB:  1600
STARTING DATE:  April 2005
COMPLETION DATE:  September 2005
CLIENT COMMENTS:  "Still dry in Rye after big storm.
We lost power Wednesday morning. The rain was really a problem. When you installed the pumping system as part of our basement job, you told me you would also be installing a back up system. I would have never thought of it on my own. Your back up system just passed its first and hopefully last test with flying colors. My neighbors all got water in their basements when the power went out for 3 days.
The back-up system performed just as you said it would. Actually, it did better. It was still running strong after 24 hours. I purchased an extra battery as a precaution for $60.00. By the time I put it in, the ground water had subsided. The original was recharged at the gas station and ready to go if needed. We could have gone without power for as long as it was going to take. Some neighbors spent thousands on generators after their basements had water. We stayed completely dry.
Thank you for your expert advice. This basement project was the best money I ever spent in connection with home construction."

- Gerry DiEdwards, Rye, NY. 01.23.06

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE ON SIMILAR PROJECTS*:  $80,000 - $90,000.
*Price based on similar existing conditions, building supplies, square footage and other various factors and therefore subject to change.