Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to finish a basement?
The national average price (according to Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report”) in 2008 was $61,011. Less than 10% of all basements ever finished by R&S have even approached this cost. Most customers don’t have this kind of budget. R&S utilizes its experience and design skills to create a scope of work and plan that result in a high quality, functional and livable basement for thousands less than this national average price.
How much of my investment can I expect to get back when I sell my home? Again, according to Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report”, a basement, kitchen, or bath remodel returns 75% to 80% of the initial investment to the homeowner. But because R&S projects cost thousands less than the national average, ROI (return on investment) can be as high as 100% if the project is completed by R&S. Wouldn’t it be nice to use and enjoy a finished basement or remodeled kitchen now, and recoup nearly all the money at the time of resale?
How long does it take?
A typical full basement finish takes two to three months to complete. A full master bath or kitchen remodel takes four to six weeks to complete. However, we always tell our customers we’ll work at “your pace”. Even though your project will be well planned and accompanied by a full design before getting started, there will be some detailed decisions to make and potential issues to address along the way. Some people make these decisions very quickly, while others need more time. R&S is patient, and we have no problem giving you the time you need to make these decisions.
Can I do some of the work myself?
The honest answer to this question is “it depends”. R&S appreciates a homeowner's desire to decrease cost by investing “sweat equity” in their project. R&S is flexible and has worked with some customers in this regard. Good examples are painting, hardware installation, shelving, etc. – items that can be completed outside of our contracted scope of work. Because we warrant everything we do, however, we can not use our customers as sub-contractors. A good example of this would be to allow a customer to do the framing work in their basement, obviously something we cant’ do.
Why do I need a budget?
A kitchen, bath, or basement remodel is a significant investment and it would be unwise to get started, or even start to obtain quotes, without having established a budget. The “purchase” of a home improvement project is like that of any other purchase you make. Typically, you want more than you are willing to pay for. Establishing a budget and sharing it with your remodeling contractor sets realistic expectations and creates the opportunity to modify design and scope of work to meet your budget.
Why is scope of work and design so important?
A well understood design and associated scope of work communicates the desired finish details and the work associated to get there. This “document” serves all stakeholders in the project, including sub-contractors and suppliers. Getting started without a good plan that outlines scope and design is a recipe for cost overruns, time overruns, and disappointed customers.
Why is it important that a contractor be licensed and insured?
The short answer to this question is “it’s required by Georgia state law”. This law went into effect to reduce the risk a homeowner can encounter when hiring a non-licensed contractor. These risks include, but are not limited to, both financial and personal liability risks. Hiring a remodeling contractor that is both licensed and insured also means that the state certifies that the contractor has the correct experience and credentials to complete all aspects of the work necessary to complete the project.
How does payment work?
R&S is very honest and open about costs and payment. We are a “for profit” company and therefore manage the payment process tightly. We expect payment when it is due, and a detailed draw schedule is included with every project. However, we want payment to be fair to all parties, and won’t ask for it until it is earned. A typical project will have 15% due at contract, 5 – 7% due at completion, with the remaining amounts due at clear milestones (draw points) throughout the project.
What if I want to make a change after we get started?
R&S prides itself on being easy to work with. It’s typical that a customer change their mind regarding some detail or ask for additional work after getting started. R&S will work with you to define and price this change, and do so as fairly and quickly as possible (to keep the project moving forward).
Do you offer financing?
No, we do not offer financing but we do have relationships with several banks and mortgage companies for customers looking to finance their projects with home equity loans.
Who does the actual work?
The actual “hands on” work for every project is performed by R&S approved sub-contractors. R&S has long standing professional relationships with all of these subcontractors, and most of them have worked with us since the inception of our company. These relationships translate into highly predictable results for your project – predictability in terms of timeframe, quality, and cost.
How long has R&S been in business?
R&S Basements incorporated in August of 2003. R&S Basements is a registered trade name. The legal and state licensed name of our company is Relyea and Sons, LLC.
My basement is full of stuff. Do I need to get it all out of the basement before we start?
Unfortunately, the honest answer to this question is yes. Trying to finish a basement around items that are not removed can create a safety hazard and may also result it items being damaged. It’s better to take the time to remove these items before we get started.
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