Surfaces
Walls, floors and ceilings
Built for a room that sits below the dirt.
Once the water is dealt with, the walls and floors are next. We frame in from the concrete, choose insulation for a damp place, and pick flooring that tolerates the odd spill.
What the work includes
Walls framed in from the concrete, with a gap behind
Rigid foam against the concrete where it fits, and batts where it doesn't
Flooring that handles damp: vinyl plank or tile over a membrane
A ceiling that keeps valves, cleanouts and wires reachable
Electrical and plumbing rough-in by licensed trades
What it doesn't include
Left out of this work
Moving a furnace or a gas line
That's work for a licensed trade, and we coordinate it.
New ductwork
We frame around what's there and tell you if the system needs a look.
Carpet over bare concrete
We don't recommend it below grade. We'll explain why.
What changes the cost
What moves the number
We price each job from a written scope. These are the things that make one house cost more than another.
- 01
Ceiling height
A low ceiling limits the choices and the cost of working in it.
- 02
What's overhead
Ducts, pipes and beams change the ceiling.
- 03
Floor material
Tile costs more to lay than vinyl plank.
- 04
How many rooms
More walls, more doors, more finish.
How it goes
From the first visit to the last
- 01
Frame
Build the walls off the concrete.
- 02
Rough-in
Electrical and plumbing, inspected.
- 03
Insulate and close
Insulation, drywall and ceiling.
- 04
Floor and trim
Flooring, trim and paint.
Permits and rules
Who pulls the permit
Framing, electrical and plumbing rough-in usually need permits and inspections. We apply for them and schedule the inspections as part of the job.
Questions
About this work
Why leave a gap behind the wall?
So a damp spot on the concrete shows up and doesn't hide behind drywall.
Can I have carpet?
You can. We'd put it over a pad made for below-grade rooms and tell you the tradeoffs.
Can you work around the furnace?
Yes. We frame a closet with room to service it.
Ready to plan the rooms?
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll book the visit.