Queen Anne Basement Studs-Out Remodel
The Highlights
As real estate agents with Get Happy at Home, we helped our clients buy a fantastic home in Queen Anne. There was an unfinished basement, and our clients hired Happy at Home Contracting to completely remodel it for them.
Our clients spent $170k and added 1,100 square feet to the house in Queen Anne.
Based on other comparable homes in the area, we estimate this remodel and added square footage added around $500k to the home’s value.
The Story
As real estate agents with Get Happy at Home, we helped our clients buy a fantastic home in Queen Anne. As we were searching for homes, we would advise them on the type of work they might be able to do to transform a “good enough” home into one that perfectly suited their needs. Our clients knew going into the purchase that they wanted to completely finish and remodel the basement. They wanted to create a dedicated space for their teenage son where he could have some space for himself and hang out with his friends. In the process, they added a *ton* of value to their home.
We estimated how long the work would take, and gave our clients a timeline of 4 months. During the process, Covid hit, and the county offices became pretty slow about permitting, but we were able to get what we needed. When we got started on work, the family went on vacation for a while, and when they came back, they all just lived upstairs while we worked downstairs.
This was a studs-out remodel, which means we totally stripped the basement down and opened up the walls. (Read our Get Happy at Home blog “Here’s What You Need to Know About Studs Out Remodels”). When we opened up the walls, we noticed an issue with the foundation. It was still working, but it wasn’t quite right, so we had to take care of the foundation issues which added time to the overall process.
From here, we had to frame out walls in front of the concrete foundation, and insulate the walls. We had to rip up a lot of concrete so we could put the plumbing in for the bathroom. We expanded the layout into what was previously walled-off crawl space. Then we opened up the stairwell, and added a cool wood wall that made the stairs feel more connected to the upstairs. We did all of the electrical as well, and added canned lighting throughout the space.
When we were finished, we had added a new living room, a bedroom with a walk-in closet, a bathroom, a workout room, a laundry room with a kitchenette (which includes a fridge and sink), and a large pantry perfect for dry storage. Our clients spent a total of $170k on this remodel. Based on other comparable homes in the area, we estimate this remodel and added square footage added around $500k to the home’s value.
Testimonial
Coming soon!
The Work We Did
Fixed a foundation issue
Opened up the walls, framed out new walls, and insulated
Ripped up a lot of concrete so we could put the plumbing in for the bathroom
Added an entire new bathroom, including a sink, shower, and toilet
Expanded the layout into what was previously walled-off crawl space
Opened up the stairwell, and added a cool wood wall
All new electrical
Added canned lighting throughout the space
The Results
When we were finished, we had added a new living room, a bedroom with a walk-in closet, a bathroom, a workout room, a laundry room with a kitchenette (which includes a fridge and sink), and a large pantry perfect for dry storage.
Our clients spent a total of $170k on this remodel. Based on other comparable homes in the area, we estimate this remodel and added square footage added around $500k to the home’s value.
