Questions

1. Where do I start?

Most customers begin with a few concepts, either on paper or in their head.  It is best to make a list of specific needs and then wants.  Ask yourself these questions:  How many additional bedrooms do I need?  Do I need a bathroom?  How much open space for a family/great room do you want?  How about  a kitchenette, fireplace, game room, craft room or exercise room.  Do you need storage, and if so do you want a finished storage room or are you willing to leave some space unfinished. 

Then it you want to get a realistic budget to get your financing options in place. Some people pay cash while most either re-finance or get a home equity loan.  A licensed General Contractor can usually give you an accurate price to plan on. Once you have solidified a layout and plan, then you can start making selections. This will allow the contractor to fine tune your bid.

2. How can I save money?

Here at Ace Construction Etc. or “Basements Etc.” we pride ourselves in finding every possible way to save our customers money.  This can be done in many ways.  Sometimes customers finish less space, or select less expensive fixtures, flooring or other selections.  Sometimes you can even do some of the work yourself.  Although this can save you money, we can help you decide if this option is right for you.

3. Should I do it myself?

This question can be complicated or very easy depending on you background and available spare time. If you are able to do all the actual work yourself, you will save money but plan on the project taking approx. 4-500 hours or your time.  If you are going to try to hire the various sub-contractors yourself you will probably spend more money and create a bigger hassel than you planned on.  Unless you have been around the construction industry and know the local codes and requirements, it might save you a lot of time and money to hire a general contractor.  If the reason for you to general your project, or for you to do part or all yourself is to save money, read the next question and answer. 

4. Will a contractor cost more money?

In many cases a general constractor can cost more money. Not with Ace Construction Etc.  We are committed to making your project the best quality and the best possible price.  We can usually ensure that our pricing is about the same or less than someone who wants to sub out the work themelves. We feel like our design and layout ideas, quick completion times and zero hassel experience is worth the price.  In almost every instance we can show you how our price is comparable to hiring it out yourself. 

5. Should I get a permit (Why or Why not)?

The simple answer to this is absolutely positively YES.  It is the law and it protects the homeowner in many ways. In fact if you are looking at hiring contactors, and they even hint that you do not need a permit, you should instantly scratch them off your list.  Even if you complete the project yourself you should absolutely get a permit.  If you were to ever have a flood or fire and your insurance company can prove that the basement was the cause, they usually will not pay a claim.  Permits allow the city to  come and periodically inspect the work to verify everything complies with local building codes. Don’t let one of your families biggest investments be exposed.  Permits usually cost about $300.00 - $500.00 for a basement permit.

6. IS this a good investment in today's economy?

For years real estate agents would tell you it takes 3-5 years before getting your money out of a basement. This has changed dramatically the last few years.  In fact approximately  30% of the basements we finishd the last couple of years are for customers getting ready to sell their home. They are literally doubling and sometimes tripleing their basement finishing investment the day they sell their home.  Agents are now listing total sqft finished to make the total listing price more attractive.  They also point out that in our convenience society, most home buyers are not looking for a project.  They would rather purchase a home wwith basement finished and move right in completed. We can go over these facts and details in more detail in person.

7. If I sub-contract it out, will save money?

This is an option many customers have thought about and/or even tried on past projects. You may want to consider the liability you are accepting personally. What implications and how much risk are you willing to take. What if someone gets hurt at your home. Or maybe work appeared to be completed properly but later you find it was faulty or incomplete. A flood or fire can cause hundreds of thousands in damage. In many cases, depending on your homeowners policy, unless a permit was in place, and a general contractor hired, damage or injury may not be covered. Your home is one of your greatest assests. A licensed General Contractor can eliminate your risk.

If your are thinking about this option because you think it will save money, you might want to think again. In most cases owners who try and sub-contract their project themselves end up spending more money and time than hiring the right General Contractor. Most sub-contractors will actually charge more money directly to home owners than to general contractors. This is not to say they are trying to take advantage of you, they just usually charge normal pricing if not higher. Most subs will tell you they end up spending more time and making more trips with Owner/builder jobs for many reasons. For example: Owners say they are ready for a phase of work and when the sub gets there, they find that certain things were not done yet so they are actually not ready for them. The owner may have not even realized what should have been done up to that point, but another trip and change of a days schedule ends up costing money. Also many times subs end up giving owners long and detailed explanations, descriptions of scope of work, and suggestions which a general contractor usually takes care of.

Bottom Line: At Ace Construction Etc. (Basements Etc.) ­ we pride ourselves in providing a hassell free construction experience for the same price as if you were to try and General the project yourself. Give us a call for more details about the pros and cons of Sub-Contracting the project yourself.

8. Is there a way to check a contractors license?

Yes.  In the state of Utah you can go to www.dopl.utah.gov.  Click on verify a license.  You can limit your search to contractors.  You need to look up the company name.  The web site will then list the actual names of the priciples who are the qualifiiers. The proper license for a genral contactor is a B100 or R100 license. If they do not have a B100 or R100, and the name of the person you are dealing with is not listed you want to find someone else to work with.  Have a current license and the correct license is critical.  This will ensure they are properly qualified as well as having the proper Liabilty and Workers Compensation Insurances.