Transform your basement into a stylish, functional space
Transforming your basement into a stylish, functional space can dramatically enhance your home's appeal and value. Often an underutilized area, a basement has the potential to become anything from a teenager hang-out to a chic home office or guest suite.
With thoughtful design, you can maximize every inch of your home while creating a personalized, versatile space that meets your lifestyle needs. A well-finished basement not only increases your home’s liveable space but also boosts its market value. Plus, it's a great way to upgrade your home without having to make your home larger. Whether for entertaining or everyday use, a basement development offers both immediate enjoyment and long-term benefits.
Lets investigate and see how you can make the most of your basement!
Factors to consider when developing your basement
Due to their location, basements typically have limited access to natural light making it essential to rely on artificial lighting to create a comfortable, habitable space. To achieve the right balance, a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting should be used. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, ensuring the space is bright and functional. Task lighting focuses on specific areas like reading nooks or workspaces, while accent lighting adds depth and character. By layering different types of lighting, you can transform a dim basement into a warm, welcoming environment that feels open and liveable.
Proper insulation is key to ensuring your basement remains comfortable throughout the year, as it helps regulate temperature by keeping heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Without adequate insulation, your basement can feel cold, drafty, and uninviting. For even greater comfort, consider adding underfloor heating, which warms the space from the ground up, providing consistent heat. Additionally, installing an appropriate heat pump will assist with temperature control.
Obtaining building consent is crucial to ensure your basement development meets local regulations and doesn't devalue your home. Most basements were originally constructed to store vehicles and other equipment, so the council wants to confirm the space is upgraded to the building code for habitable rooms. This includes installing proper ventilation, insulation, and lighting whilst ensuring any moisture is well controlled. Securing consent not only safeguards your investment but also guarantees that your basement will be a safe, comfortable, and legally compliant living space.
The Process of developing a basement
1. Consultation & Project Scope
We visit you at your home to discuss your ideas and determine what options are the most likely to work with your allocated budget.
2. Concept Design & Cost Estimate
After meeting with one of our designers, a concept design will be created with the aim of balancing your wants with your budget. A cost estimate is developed to give you an understanding of the costs to build your concept design.
3. Building Consent Drawings
Once the final design has been agreed on, the detailed construction drawings will be produced.
4. Fixed Price Quote
On completion of the building consent drawings, a fixed price quote can be developed for your project. We need to know all the intricate construction details to ensure your quote is as comprehensive and accurate as it can be.
5. Contract
A contract, based on the fixed price quote and including a comprehensive scope & specification is put together for you to sign. It will ensure tight cost control and minimise the risk of a budget blow-out.
6. Council Approval & Permits
We handle all the necessary paperwork and all relevant approvals and consents are organised.
7. Construction
Time to sit back, relax and watch the transformation start to take place. Ensure you keep up-to-date on the build schedule and project financials via our 24/7 online project management software.
8. Final inspection & handover
The final building inspection with the council is arranged and your newly renovated home is ready for you to settle into.
What our clients have to say...
Every room in our house was touched in some way, apart from our family bathroom, but Kris and his team enabled us to remain in the property while the renovation happened around us.
We pretty much stuck to the fixed price quote (with the exception of a few unforeseen costs due to the age of the house, and our own variations along the way), and it was right on time (which considering it was 2020/2021 is rather impressive!). The app MyHome uses was brilliant at keeping us informed as to when things were going to happen, and when key decisions needed to be made. We knew exactly where we were the whole way through.
Ian & Jodie Gallagher
Ground level extension - Onehunga
We wanted certainty that the team (we selected) could deliver on time and on budget, and Kris and the team absolutely delivered to the plan. They provided the perfect balance of listening to the things we weren’t willing to compromise on and offering good suggestions on how we could do some things better.
They were incredibly respectful, and we really enjoyed seeing them every day. What’s funny is we almost miss them now they’re gone! We couldn’t be happier with the results.
CELINE GILBERT
Internal alterations - Mt Eden
MyHome renovated our property on time and on budget. Amazing communication, lovely team and a perfect finished product. We spent a long time changing our minds in the planning process and they were incredibly patient and insightful. A lovely family business.
Isabella van Heusden & Ben Lynch
Remodel - Ellerslie
When we started on our renovation, we didn't want to become one of those horror stories, but we didn't know how to avoid it! Kris and the team took us in hand, steered us the right direction, made sure we could actually afford to build what we'd planned, took care of consents and gave us a fixed price. They're lovely to deal with and operate with the kind of communication and integrity so rarely seen in the building industry.
Helen Steemson & Keren Phillips
Internal alterations - Chatswood
Looking for more information on renovating?
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