Month: August 2024

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Plumbing Your Basement Project

This article is the third installment by Kitchen Connections, evaluating the considerations for finishing your basement.

Basement Bathroom

It is reasonable to assume that adding a bathroom is a high priority if you plan to finish your basement. After all, when nature calls, you do not want to go upstairs to find a bathroom. Additionally, you can add a bar, a kitchen, a laundry room, or all three. Addressing the plumbing issues required by your basement finishing plan may be your first significant activity. If you built your house in the last twenty years, your builder may have roughed the drainage pipe for future development. Paper or rags may have been stuffed into this pipe opening to minimize gas and unpleasant odors emanating from the roughed-in drain pipe. Additional drainage needs will likely connect to that pipe. Addressing drainage and water supply is an important place to begin your work.

Our basement project created a 750-square-foot, one-bedroom, walk-out apartment. It includes a full bathroom, a laundry room, a great room, and a kitchenette. This space is not just for guests but also for our children and grandchildren or even as a rental. The plumbing for both the kitchenette and the laundry room was simple, allowing us to focus on the exciting aspects of personalizing our new space.

If you plan to add a shower or a bath, you may still need to cut the concrete of your basement foundation. We had to break concrete to connect the future shower drainpipe to the roughed-in connection to the main drain. With that task completed, we connected the vanity sink to the shower drain. Typically, drainpipes for a basement vanity, shower or bathtub, and toilet are not installed during the construction of a new house. The typical rough-in for a basement bathroom is limited to the drainpipe for the toilet. There is only a need to incur this cost on a new home if finishing the basement is a certainty. Drainage for the vanity and shower must be added. Expect to cut and bust some concrete to build your basement bathroom.

After completing our basement bathroom, we found water drained slowly and backed up in the shower. We had to clear a blockage. Our plumber cleared the paper from the drain, which resolved the issue. We have yet to experience further drainage issues.

It is essential to ensure pre-plumbed drainage pipes are connected to the main drain without obstructions. I remember a YouTube video I recently viewed. In this video, a New Jersey couple was filmed with their contractor while planning to finish their basement. The house was new, and the builder had planned for a basement bathroom. At least it looked like he had done so, as a PVC pipe rose from the foundation. Upon further inspection, the contractor discovered that the pipe was only stuck in the foundation and not connected to the main drain. I had to laugh. It seems appropriate for New Jersey. Did the building inspector miss this violation, or was it something else? The homeowners were not happy. It required them to cut into the foundation to build a trench and lay pipes to connect to the main drain. I wonder if the homeowners factored this cost into their budget. Finding and connecting to the main drain is the priority. One must budget for this cost.

Another consideration is to use copper pipes, the Pex System, or maybe PVC for the water lines. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Copper is reliable but expensive. Pex and PVC are less costly and easy to install but may only be suitable for some locations. There is a lot of information on the internet to help you decide which of these options is the best for your project. Our situation was ideal for installing a Pex System. You will want to research this issue to determine the best solution.

CONCLUSION:
The plumbing required for finishing your basement is a significant consideration. It is a large component of the cost for most basement remodel projects. If you plan to do some or all the work yourself, you can save a lot of money. However, it will require a significant investment in your time. If you are required to have a building permit, the situation will become more complicated. There are several options to consider regarding connecting to the water supply. Each has benefits and disadvantages, so choose the most suitable option.

JIll Weber, Owner and President of Kitchen Connections, LLC

For more information about Kitchen Connections, LLC and what we can do for you, visit http://kitchenconnections.biz

770-650-0632

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

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Create Competent Customers

 

Building Productive Relationships

We’ve all heard the adage that the customer is always right. That’s mostly true; however, sometimes the customer is not right. But the customer is still the customer.  Sometimes, the vendor or service provider cannot satisfy the customer regardless of the effort invested.  This is unproductive for both parties and may derail current and future possibilities.  The best time to mitigate a faltering business transaction is at the beginning.

Last year, I observed a very instructive situation. It involved my client, a third-party manufacturer’s representative, and his customer. My client’s customer had experienced a massive flooding event.  He was anxious to mitigate the situation and return to the pre-event status.  Post Covid, vendors were still dealing with supply chain and labor issues.  Supply chains were sluggish in this industry segment, and companies were having difficulty with staffing and labor productivity. It was not an ideal situation for a smooth transaction.

The customer’s anxiety factored mightily into the conflict that followed.  His life had been turned upside down by the flooding event. Understandable. He wanted to return to normal and cut corners to accelerate the process.  He set a hard deadline to execute the contract the day before he went on vacation with his family.  I remember a flurry of activity that evening.  Emails going back and forth between my client and his customer required changes to vocabulary and schematics, which were difficult to decipher.  I viewed that evening as ridiculous.  My client did his best to incorporate all the required changes.  Eventually, the agreement was finalized.  The cost of the terms was accurately reflected in the project’s final scope.

The relationship was stressful from the beginning of the project. The customer did not want to honor payment terms, wasting time and fighting with my client. This infuriated the manufacturer.  The customer only relented when the manufacturer threatened to stop the project and sue the customer.

Keys to Creating a Competent Customer

    1. Maintain Clear and Open Communications
    2. Check References Before Closing a Deal
    3. Don’t Make Assumptions regarding Policy
    4. Talk with Other Knowledgeable Customers
    5. Review key terms of the agreement in advance.
    6. Understand your contract fully before you enter into an agreement

He made an issue of discussed components that did not make it into the agreement. Those costs were not added to the terms of the agreement, however.  Said components could have been added to the project at any time, but the customer decided against it.

The manufacturer had production problems related to internal issues, including labor. This further antagonized the customer, who vented his frustration at the manufacturer. The manufacturer retaliated by slowing down the process further.

My client had worked desperately to accommodate the customer’s need to complete the agreement before his vacation.  In hindsight, he should have forced the customer to slow down the process to ensure a better understanding.  There was no need to work so fast.

Ultimately, the project was completed,, albeit later than expected. Nevertheless, that did not delay the overall project, as other vendors were still engaged to complete their work. However, many relationships were affected.

Normal business practices were significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in many cases, companies have not fully recovered. It was a challenging time as firms were fighting to recover and survive, and hard lessons had to be relearned.

The larger the transaction, the greater the customer’s responsibility to understand and be fully versed in delivering the product or service. In other words, the customer must be confident that rough spots won’t become significant issues.  As vendors or service providers, we should be sensitive to pressure points that create problems.  We should address those points, verbally and in writing, with the customer before executing the agreement.

Creating a competent customer requires the vendor or service provider to educate the prospective customer. The customer must know how the relationship will work, how problems will be resolved, and how and when payments will be made.  Key points in the agreement should be reviewed and understood by the customer.   Investing time to clarify the mechanics of the pending relationship is well advised.   Doing so will help ensure a healthy and productive working relationship.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me, so please leave a comment.

 

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Validate Your Basement Finishing Project

“When do you plan to retire fully,” I asked Stan, my semi-retired friend.  Stan had just called to check-in.  He was on the road, driving from a client meeting to his home office.  “Soon, I hope!  I have things I want to do,” he said.  Naturally, I asked him to tell me more.

View from Basement Great Room toward Stairway and Kitchenette
View from the Basement Great Room toward the Stairway and Kitchenette

Stan said that he had a 300-square-foot space in the basement that he would like to turn into a Cigar lounge.  That piqued my interest.  He said he wanted a place to enjoy a cigar and a whiskey while listening to his favorite music.  Much of his basement is finished and dedicated to his wife’s arts and crafts.  It is a walkout basement with plenty of natural lighting and easy backyard access.  As described, his idea seemed perfectly reasonable to me.  Three hundred square feet is plenty of room for a manly retreat.  It would easily accommodate his adult sons, friends, and brother-in-law.

We are Cigar aficionados.   We often enjoyed fine cigars and Bourbon together.  That was before he moved back to the Chattanooga area.  Now, during pleasant weather, Stan smokes on his deck.  I am curious to know how he manages during foul weather.  A Cigar lounge would become a trendy addition to his home.  It would be handy during the college football season.  I told Stan that I liked his plan.

This project is relatively simple.  He said that a demising wall is needed.  He also mentioned that the distance to the first-floor joists is relatively high, so he plans to install a drop ceiling.  Otherwise, it’s just basic wiring for electrical and then putting down a floor.  It is not a big project.  We did not discuss an elaborate Bar setup or Cigar Humidor, so I assume a mini refrigerator would satisfy his immediate needs.  We discussed HVAC only as it regards a smoke evacuation system.  However, Stan did not think that would be necessary.  There is a need for at least one register and a return air vent.  He is not interested in doing the work so he will hire a contractor.  He asked if I thought $10,000 would cover the cost.  I told him that was doable.  Stan can easily afford the cost of finishing this space.

Stan’s Cigar Lounge is less complicated than it would be for most.  Finishing this space is entirely discretionary, solely for his enjoyment.  He is on the cusp of full retirement and will spend more time at home.  He and his wife have a large house and don’t need additional living space for a growing family.  His home office is upstairs, and most of the basement is finished.  The space will be an easy buildout.  He would enjoy relaxing in his cigar bar but could live without it.

Stan’s situation is an easier decision than most.

    1. He has a particular need
    2. It is a relatively small area
    3. The basement is already mostly finished
    4. The construction cost is not an issue
    5. The value of his home and neighborhood can easily absorb the investment.

Deciding to finish a basement or add additional living space is more complicated for most people.  The questions the homeowner must resolve in a typical situation include:

    • Is the need for additional space mandatory or discretionary?
    • If it’s mandatory, is the cost-benefit analysis favorable? i.e.,
    • Is it better to sell the current home and move into something larger?
    • Will you live in the house long enough to get a return on your money?
    • And, of course, do you have the funds or the ability to finance some or all the costs?

Regardless of the scope of your project, whether it is mandatory or purely discretionary, you must begin with a plan.  Create a floor plan and a materials list, and itemize labor costs.  Consider furniture, fixtures, and equipment as appropriate.  You may be required to obtain a permit, so consider having professional drawings developed, including input from structural engineers or architects if necessary.  Factor the cost of those drawings into your budget.  Calculating project cost is the starting point for all your decisions as you progress your project toward completion.

Once you establish a realistic project cost, you can determine if it is affordable and a good investment.  Your most important consideration is the relative value of the homes in your neighborhood and the length of time you plan to live there.   If the cost of your project does not significantly increase the basis in your home, and you have enough time to recover your cost, investing is probably a safe bet.

Creating a new living space in an unfinished basement can be a good investment and increase the enjoyment value of your home. However, it requires thoughtful analysis.

 

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me, so please leave a comment.

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Kitchen Connections Completes Another Major Kitchen Remodel

This project was a major kitchen upgrade for a substantial home built in the early 1990s. It included new cabinets, countertops, lighting, appliances, tile backsplashes, and refinished hardwood floors.  Cabinets and Crown Colding were raised to the ceiling.
Breezeway Cabinets and Countertops Before
Breezeway Cabinets and Countertops Before
Breezeway Cabinets and Countertops After
Breezeway Cabinets and Countertops, After  –  Cabinets and Crown Molding are raised to the ceiling.  Tile Backsplash added.
Oven Bank Before
Oven Bank Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oven Bank After with new tile backsplash
Oven Bank and Cabinets After.  Cabinets and Crown Molding are raised to the ceiling.  Tile Backsplash added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refrigerator Cabinet Before
Refrigerator Cabinet After
Refrigerator Cabinet After – 48in Builtin Subzero

 

 

 

 

View of Kitchen Breakfast Bar Area Before

 

 

Looking over the Breakfast Bar to the Sink area and backyard.
New Work Island and refinished hardwood floors;  View from Kitchen to Breakfast Room
JIll Weber, Owner and President of Kitchen Connections, LLC

For more information about Kitchen Connections, LLC and what we can do for you, visit http://kitchenconnections.biz

770-650-0632

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me, so please leave a comment.