Always Wanted a Finished Basement? How to Explain Your Ideas to a General Contractor in New Albany, OH
If your New Albany, OH, home doesn’t have a finished basement, you can hire a general contractor to create the basement of your dreams. It’s easy to have a vision in your head of what you want an area of your home to look like, but making sure you and your contractor are on the same page can take extra effort. Being able to explain these ideas to your contractor is essential. Just remember that your contractor wants to build your perfect space, but they can’t do that without a clear vision of what you expect. Here are some tips for how to share your ideas with your general contractor to ensure nothing is lost in your communication.
Related: How a General Contractor Can Help You Bring Your Home Remodel Vision to Life in Powell, OH
Share How You Hope to Use Your Basement
One of the most helpful things to tell your general contractor is how you plan to use your basement space. For example, do you plan to use the space as a rec room or entertainment hub? Maybe you want your basement area to serve as an apartment of sorts for your guests, so you want it to include a small kitchen, a full bathroom, and a bedroom. Having a sports den in the basement is also a popular request. Whatever way that you plan to use your basement, be sure to clearly communicate this with the contractor. Once they know what you’re looking for, they can offer recommendations on what they feel would best serve you in this space.
Share Photos of Styles You Like
Many contractors find it helpful when a customer creates a scrapbook of ideas or styles that they like. You could create a scrapbook using paper, pictures from magazines, or printouts from the internet, or you could opt for a digital version. Pinterest is a great way to put together a digital vision board, and you can simply share a link to your board with the contractor. This also helps you get a clear picture in your mind of what you’re hoping for and what you do and don’t like.
Communicate What’s Most Important to You
Let the general contractor know which features are the most important to you. Perhaps having a full bathroom and a guest bedroom is your main priority. Maybe there are some features that you can’t live without or materials that you want the contractor to use that you don’t want to compromise on. For example, if you’re set on having white marble countertops in your basement kitchen, you will want to let your general contractor know.
Make Sure to Be Detailed
Providing your preferences and ideas in writing is helpful because the contractor can easily go back and refer to them, which prevents miscommunications or misremembering from occurring. Feel free to include diagrams or sketches of what you have in mind. The more detailed you are, the better. In addition, be sure to continue to communicate with the contractor once the project has begun. Ask if it’s OK for you to text them or if they’d prefer you call. Staying in close contact will ensure that your project turns out even better than you could have hoped for.
About the Author
In 2017, David C. Ludolph II and Kody G. Kavanagh joined forces to create PropertyWorx—one of Central Ohio’s leading full-service property solutions companies. With combined experience of over 50 years, we pride ourselves on taking both residential and commercial properties to the next level, by providing home and business owners with all they need to update, transform, and tend to their properties.
