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Most people have a lot of questions before they start a remodeling project on their home. Here are answers to some of the more common questions we get asked. We expect our customers to have more questions than this so feel free to ask any questions you have. We're here to help. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been in business?
Do I really need a permit to finish my basement or add on to my house?
Can I make changes to my remodel project after I sign the contract?
Can we save any money by doing some of the work ourselves?
Should I be worried about carbon monoxide in my finished basement?
Do you use subcontractors on your jobs?
Should I be concerned about radon if I’m finishing my basement?
How long does it take to finish a basement?
Can you give me an estimate over the phone?
Do I have to upgrade our furnace if we finish our basement?
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Do you require any money up front?
How long have you been in business?
While Aspen Homes Remodeling, LLC has only been in business since February of 2003, our employees have many years of experience in the field of construction. Our roots started with Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc., which built about 140 energy-efficient, high performance homes during 2004.
Do I really need a permit to finish my basement or add on to my house?
Yes. First of all, any structural changes in your home require a permit by law. Second, it is for the protection of the homeowner. If you have a building permit, all electrical, plumbing and structural changes must be inspected by a building inspector to insure they meet the building code requirements. Plus, if you make structural changes to your home without getting a permit, you may run into problems if you decide to sell your home.
Can I make changes to my remodel project after I sign the contract?
Yes. We can process change orders at any part of the construction process, although sooner is usually better than later. Tell us what type of change you would like to make and we will tell you the cost and how it will affect the timing of the project.
Can we save any money by doing some of the work ourselves?
Yes. We call that sweat equity. This allows the homeowner to save money by doing some of the work such as, painting, tile work, cleaning, etc. However, we insist on performing the work on the structural and mechanical aspects of the job. Some of these would be framing, electrical and plumbing work. If sweat equity is something you would be interested in, let us know. When you give our estimate, we will also tell you how much can be saved if you do some of the work yourself.
Should I be worried about carbon monoxide in my finished basement?
Since carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and deadly, it is always a concern. Many hot water heaters and furnaces do not have sealed combustion chambers. Most of these are properly vented and pose no threat. But occasionally carbon monoxide gas can leak out into the living environment. We provide a carbon monoxide detector for every basement we finish we do. If you have concerns about CO or you think it’s about time to replace your furnace or hot water heater anyway, ask us about replacing it with a high-efficiency, sealed-combustion unit during the construction process.
Do you use subcontractors on your jobs?
Yes. We use many of the same subcontractors as Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. Therefore we have a great deal of confidence in their work and we work well together.
Should I be concerned about radon if I’m finishing my basement?
Radon is a big concern in this part of Colorado. We have a state certified radon technician on staff that can test your basement for radon and make mitigation recommendations before we begin work.
How long does it take to finish a basement?
It is difficult to come up with a hard and fast rule for estimating the time start to finish. There are a lot of variables such as, our current workload, permits, ordering material and change orders. You can ask for an estimate when you call and we can narrow it down more when we get more details about the job.
Can you give me an estimate over the phone?
Yes. A basement finish will usually cost between $25 and $50 a square foot. However, every remodeling project is different and there are a lot of variables to consider. Some projects may require more plumbing or electrical work than others. We also need to consider the layout and the type of rooms you want to add. Adding a home theater is going to be more expensive than a bedroom. In order to nail down the price, we will need to come to your house.
Do I have to upgrade our furnace if we finish our basement?
Rarely. Most basements require much less energy per square foot to heat than the upper levels of the home. If you’re current furnace is not up to the task of heating the additional space, electric baseboard heat units are an economical option. If your current furnace is nearing the end of it’s useful life, this might be a more convenient time to replace it with a newer, more efficient furnace.
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Yes. We are also members of the Rocky Mountains Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to go their website to and us out, as well as any other contractor you considering using.
Do you require any money up front?
No. While we may request draws for jobs that may take longer than one month, we will only bill for work that we have completed.