Basement Remodeling

Basement Remodeling

Increase Your Living Space With Basement Remodeling

The basement was traditionally a dark and dank place to store holiday decorations and old toys.  But the modern family uses more space per person than in the past, and many homeowners are looking for more livable space. The most logical choice is basement remodeling.  Whether you have a full or partial basement, follow some basic steps to create a cozy and appealing basement remodeling retreat: prepare the space for safe living, consider how you and your family will use the space, and thoughtfully design the plan to meet those needs.

Prepare the Space for Safe Living

Subterranean spaces are always vulnerable to dampness and flooding.  Even if you rarely have water problems, address even small issues and take proactive measures to prevent larger problems before doing any other work. One bout of leaking or flooding can ruin any finish work.  Start by consulting a professional home inspector who specializes in waterproofing basements.

Air that circulates well helps prevent condensation and mold problems.  But most basements in older homes have few if any vents and return air ducts. During the basement remodeling process add these openings where they will be the most effective. If your basement houses the furnace and other major appliances install a carbon monoxide detector to ensure that dangerous fumes are not being sucked through the vents and into the rest of the house.

Decide How the Space Will be Used

A finished basement will add a significant amount of livable space to your home.  Consider your family’s changing needs and how you will use the space. Popular and practical uses include a recreation room for the kids, a music practice area, or a home theater. Utility components such as water lines and heating and cooling ducts are usually available, so it is generally easy to add a bathroom and other comforts to turn the space into a guest suite as well.

Design Thoughtfully

Make practical decorating choices.  Install surfaces that don’t easily absorb moisture instead of plush carpets and curtains.  If you want to carpet, consider a hardy indoor/outdoor variety or use area rugs that can be removed and cleaned.  And plan for electronics or technology needs by adding adequate wiring and outlets on each wall.
Maximize natural light – if the basement partially extends above ground level add windows or enlarge existing ones; you can dig window wells for completely underground spaces.  If you are concerned about security, install glass bricks rather than actual windows to allow light into the room. Keep the layout open so that light will move throughout the space. Creative use of artificial light can also help to open up the space and dispel that “cave feeling” of many basements.  Direct the light upwards to give the allusion of greater ceiling height. Strategically placed mirrors will also amplify the lighting effects.

You might be starting out from a rough space, but with the right design you’ll have a great basement remodeling addition that will increase your living comfort and your home’s value.

This article was brought to by SacramentoInspection.com

Sacramento Inspection recommends homeowners schedule yearly maintenance inspections to help protect their investment.

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Basement Remodeling

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Spring Maintenance

Spring Maintenance
A Check-up for the House

With Spring around the corner it is a good time to think about giving your house a thorough check-up.  A regular maintenance plan will go far in helping you identify problems early on and mitigate costly damage and repairs.  And by keeping your house in good repair and good order you will enhance your everyday living.

Inspect and repair exteriors suffering the effects of winter weather.  Start a thorough cleaning room by room and check all house systems. Think through each area of your property to make a comprehensive checklist of basic tasks, such as the following:

Home Exterior

• Inspect the roof for leaks and damaged tiles or shingles

• Check siding for loose pieces and check trim for cracked paint

• Clean gutters, repair holes and weak joints, and replace damaged sections

• Replace exterior caulking that is peeling

• Inspect the foundation for cracks or other signs of weakening.

• Repair cracked or uneven driveways, stairs, and sidewalks to prevent injuries

• Remove and store storm windows and doors

• Wash windows and repair any damaged frames; clean and reinstall screens

• Clean up yard debris such as dead foliage and weeds; begin spring landscaping projects

• Clean and repair outdoor patio furniture

• Check sprinkler system for leaky or loose valves

• Inspect decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose pieces and deterioration

Home Interior

• Service the water heater pump and motor

• Clean the air conditioning unit and replace the belt when necessary; follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for professional maintenance

• Replace the furnace filter

• Make sure the electrical system is adequate to support any new appliances, technology, or increased wattage use; upgrade as necessary

• Clear slow-moving drains and ensure that plumbing shutoff valves function properly

• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter

• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and damper

• Ensure that fire extinguishers are operable and accessible

• Clean smoke alarm covers and install new batteries

• Replace older light bulbs with energy-efficient models

• Sort through closets and other storage and pull out things that are no longer used, then make a plan to donate or sell them

With an established routine you will also become better acquainted with the nuances of your home systems and better equipped to deal with problems when they do arise.  It is a good idea to supplement your efforts by making a professional home inspection part of the routine.  While most homebuyers have an inspection as part of their due diligence when considering a new home, most homeowners don’t think to schedule an inspection once they are living in the house.  Yet, a professional home inspector can help you identify problems in your home before they become huge strains on your lifestyle and your wallet.  Once you have gone through your home to note things that concern you, an inspector can give you insight into necessary repairs and upgrades.

Sacramento Home Inspection

Sacramento Home Inspection

Ever Thought About the Value of a Sacramento Home Inspection?

Sacramento Home Inspection

Roofing (per SQ/FT)	ECONOMY	STANDARD	CUSTOM
Built-Up	$1.75	$2.05	$2.30
Clay Tile	$8.55	$9.05	$9.60
Concrete Tile	$6.25	$7.00	$8.15
Roll Roofing–Composition	$0.70	$0.80	$0.90
Slate Tile	$11.70	$12.90	$14.30
Shingles–Composition	$1.20	$1.40	$1.55
Wood Shingles	$2.80	$3.40	$3.80
Wood Shakes	$2.85	$3.25	$3.70
Sheathing SQ/FT	——–	$1.75	——–
Miscellaneous	——-	Per Linear FT	——-
Fascia-Board	——-	$3.10	——-
Soffit Board	——-	$5.00	——-
Gutter	——-	$5.65	——-

Sacramento Home Inspection

Some people buy Real Estate in Sacramento without getting a Sacramento Home Inspection and say that they will do the entire remodel themselves.  The problem with that is they might not know what dangers are actually hiding in the Sacramento home itself without having a Sacramento home inspection first.  The husband and wife may have good intentions about fixing the house up and that’s all well and good however; there are not too many people that will crawl around the crawlspaces and attics to see if there are any problems.

The husband may be a very good repair man or even a decent carpenter and he can do a lot of the fix up stuff himself.  But did your husband crawl around the crawlspaces or go up into the attic and see if there are any hidden dangers like black mold, loose wiring or improperly vented ducts?

Sacramento Home Inspection

A Sacramento home inspector will. Their job is to check out the Sacramento home completely. A Sacramento Home Inspection will check out the foundation, the electrical system, the plumbing system, check out crawlspaces, attics, roofs and anything else that has to do with the safety of the home.

The real estate inspectors in Sacramento are not there to kill the deal. The real estate inspector is there to protect you, the buyer, and your family.

Do not buy Sacramento real estate without getting a Sacramento home inspection first because when you do that you’re setting yourself up for a major let down later.

If you move into your Sacramento home without having a Sacramento home inspection it could cost you thousands of dollars later to have whatever you missed repaired after you move in.

Your home is a huge investment.  Don’t you think your family deserves the same? Get your Sacramento Home Inspection before you buy. Your family should always come first.

Your Sacramento home inspection will give you a complete report with pictures of the home that you’re buying.  Your Sacramento home inspector will also explain to you anything you would like to know about the home or the report.

You should accompany the Sacramento home inspector as he inspects the home. He will be glad to explain to you any questions that you may have about your Sacramento home.  This is a very good time to ask him things like where are the main control panels and where is the main water supply valve.

Believe it or not a Sacramento home inspector is on your side. He wants the best for you and he wants to look out for you and your family.

I hope this article has helped you to understand why getting a Sacramento home inspection so important.

Order your Sacramento Home Inspection today! 1-877-424-8289

More Fire Dangers Discovered!

Unprofessional added wiring is considered a fire safety issue and should be reviewed by a qualified contractor. In most cases the current homeowner is unaware that this condition even exists. You see, this home was inspected less than two years ago by a certified Sacramento home inspector. The problem was that the certified Sacramento home inspector was a cheap home inspector and had not performed a full attic inspection. Clients occasionally call our office and ask why our fees are higher than other home inspectors in the Sacramento area. We let them know that a cheap home inspector can cost them several thousand dollars in repairs for missed deficiencies and quite possibly not catch a major fire safety hazard for your family. We feel that our fees are more realistic for the time and expertise that is required to perform a good, thorough inspection.

If you want “Peace Of Mind” for your next Sacramento area home purchase, plus lots of extra value, then give American Pride Home Inspection Service a call today at 1-877-424-8289 to schedule your Sacramento inspection.