Remodeling Resources

Any home remodel project can pose challenges. Creating a new space or finishing an existing one can both excite and confuse homeowners. Our resource section has been created to provide information to help you maximize your knowledge, minimize your headaches and complement the comfort, functionality and authenticity of your home.

Choosing a Contractor

Finding the RIGHT contractor for your project is more than just finding the lowest price. Less tangible items like your ability to communicate and feel comfortable working with your contractor will inevitably prove to be much more important in determining your eventual satisfaction with the job – particularly if it’s a large project.

Here are some tips on finding the right contractor for your home improvement project:

Ask for References – Do your own detective work. Talk to homeowners that this contractor has done work for in the past. Were they satisfied with the work? Was the work finished? Were they comfortable with the company's employees in their home? Did the contractor return phone calls? The Better Business Bureau can also serve as a good reference.
Compare "apples-to-apples" – If you get bids from several contractors, compare the bids fairly. As mush as possible, make sure that you explain the job completely to each of the contractors to ensure each one bids on the same exact job so that you can compare "apples-to-apples." In addition to their final price, consider other factors — how comfortable you feel about the company, their experience, etc. The project's success depends on much more than just money.
Don't automatically accept the lowest bid – The old saying "you get what you pay for" applies here. A higher bid may be worth the price in better materials, workmanship and reliability. A large number of complaints filed against contractors are the result of homeowners taking the lowest bid and then being unhappy with the low quality of work. Even when the contractor promises to do the same job, be careful — often contractors will bid a job extremely aggressively in order to get it. When the work takes longer than originally planned, the contractor can feel "squeezed" by the budget and try and cut corners. It's less expensive in the long run to pay for quality up front.
Make sure your contractor is properly licensed – You may find a lower price by hiring an unlicensed contractor, but beware – you can be held legally liable for any injuries that take place on your property. Also, lien laws may not protect you when dealing with unlicensed parties. Not only should the general contractor be licensed, but all of his subcontractors must, too.
Insurance - Make sure insurance is current and comprehensive. Ours is. We have workman's compensation and general liability for our staff and REQUIRE our subcontractors to carry the same.
Compare Warranties - Because they do vary greatly. We offer an excellent warranty on everything we do. With basements, we offer a non-transferable lifetime warranty on our workmanship. And with decks and outdoor rooms, we offer a 5-year warranty on workmanship. Additionally, we return your phone call within 24 hours of learning you may have a warranty issue. We will then schedule a meeting within 5 business days.

Top 10 Reasons for Finishing a Basement

VALUE – Finishing a basement offers the best price per square foot of any remodeling project. Additions, kitchen upgrades, even small projects designed to increase space all involve relatively higher costs.
FLEXIBILITY – Unlike your main level, where often you only have a limited floor plan or colors to choose from, the design of your basement is completely up to you. Perhaps you have considered some changes you “would have” made to your home – now implement those ideas downstairs!
RESALE – A high demand for homes locally with lots of space for big families has made finished basements very marketable. We’ve finished basements for clients who have received a return on investment of over 150%.
SPACE – Large, spacious rooms and ample lighting can make basements very beautiful and inviting. Many people have said that they would rather spend time in their finished basement than any other place in their home.
FAMILY – Whether accommodating them for a meal or a month (or more), many of our clients ask us to make room for their extended family. With a separate bathroom, bedroom, great room, and mini kitchen, having Kevin, Kerri, and/or the kids stay over can be much more enjoyable.
ENTERTAINMENT – From simple TV rooms to luxurious rooms with a big screen, surround sound, and tiered seating, the basement is where many people choose to hang out. Pool tables, game rooms, theaters, mini kitchens, and lots of space also contribute to make this area popular for parties.
INCOME – Basement apartments are a great way to add extra income and resale value. Many basements rent at 75% of the cost of your monthly mortgage, quickly offsetting the upfront cost of finishing the space.
ORDER – Most people don’t use their unfinished basement space very effectively. Are there boxes scattered all over your floor? A finished basement provides storage, shelving, and general organization. Now you don’t have to go through dark, dusty, cobweb-filled spaces to get what you need!
COMFORT – A well insulated basement is commonly the coolest place in your home during the summer and the warmest in the winter. We use new technologies, specialized products, and proven techniques to make your finished space comfortable – and to keep you from paying outrageous utility bills.
COST – Because of the high demand for limited resources, basement-material prices are rapidly increasing. This is especially true in this fast-growing area. Don’t wait for prices to get higher – finish your basement today.

How Much Will it Cost to Finish My Basement

The best way to find out is to call us at 303-681-9070 for a free consultation! Or use our online form to schedule a free cost estimate.

Of course, costs to finish a basement vary from house to house and state to state. Potential clients often ask how much it will cost to finish their basement prior to our free on-site assessment and bid. We remind our clients that basement finishing costs change based upon variable factors including the following.

What is the size of the project?
(Remember, very small areas generally cost more per square foot than an average-size basement project due to economies of scale)
How many bathrooms (if any) will be added?
Will there be a kitchen or wet bar?
What flooring surfaces will be used?
What styles will be used for lighting and plumbing fixtures?
Will new windows be added, and will any adjustments have to be made for egress windows in new sleeping rooms?
How difficult will it be to extend existing plumbing, electrical, voice, and data lines to the new area?
Will there be crown molding or custom trim features?
What size are the existing heating and cooling systems?
What rooms will be part of the basement finishing project?

The cost per square foot for professional basement finishing in Colorado ranges from $35 to more than $65 per square foot. of course, these costs are entirely dependent on the factors described above.

Just remember, the cost per square foot to finish your basement doesn't tell the full story, but it can give you a general idea of the costs. To receive a more detailed analysis of the costs to finish your basement, contact Colorado Creations for a free on-site consultation.

When Considering a Deck or Outdoor Room

There are a variety of ways to approach this new space and we've created a short list to guide you. But remember that we will partner with you in any capacity that you desire. We will design and build fully, we will collaborate with you on design ideas or just build the space you design yourself.

Determine Use – Use a notepad to capture ideas about how the space will be used from entertainment to relaxation.
Create Your Wish List – Clip articles and images that you like from magazines and catalogs.
Review Your Home's Style – Understand your home's architectural style so that the outdoor spaces accentuate indoor spaces.
Consider Fire and Food – These are key elements in every well-designed outdoor room. Position the fireplace as the focal point and then blend in the cooking and eating areas.
Think Foundation – Stone patios, retaining walls, fences and decks are basic foundation elements.
Consider Lighting – To extend the amount of time outdoors, consider lighting for pathways, water features or to accentuate landscaping.
Take it in Stages – Decks and outdoor rooms are sometimes created in stages over time to accommodate large wish lists on limited budgets. Begin with a hearth product, define the grilling and eating areas, then accessorize over time.

Why Colorado Creations

Because we specialize in Colorado basements, decks and outdoor rooms, you can expect:

Experience

We are very specialized and are a full service, design build contractor/remodeler. We listen, advise and create exactly what you are looking for.

Value

Time and money. Need more? We provide superb service and competitive prices, saving your precious resources. We do basements, decks and outdoor rooms for a living. Others do not.

Quality

You don't want your downstairs to look second-rate or feel less comfortable than any other place in your home. We don't either. Nor do you want your deck or outdoor room to look like an afterthought. We use only specialized workers, not "handymen." You'll see and appreciate the difference.

Speed

Again, because we're specialized, we have developed a unique "fast-track" approach to our projects, increasing the speed of the project without sacrificing the quality. Getting on the "fast-track" means you spend less time under construction and more time relaxing in your new space.

Should I Do it Myself

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years thanks to Martha Stewart Living, HGTV, and other popular home improvement shows and publications. And, for certain small projects, a DIY project can be rewarding and fun — if you are prepared and have the proper skills.

But before you start a major project, such as a basement finish, a deck, or outdoor room, ask yourself the following questions:

Are you familiar with local and national building codes?
Do you have the time to complete this project (be realistic!)?
Have you ever undertaken a project like this before?
Will you sacrifice quality and satisfaction to save cost?
Do you have the specialized tools for the job?
Do you have the necessary skills for this project?
What will you give up to make time for this project?
Do you understand all the safety issues associated with this project?
Are you familiar with the architecture and structural makeup of your home (i.e., how knocking down one wall will affect the rest of the structure or how to add on a new structure to an existing structure)?
Have you considered the hidden costs associated with doing it yourself — time, tools and the possibility that you may actually decrease the value of your house if the result isn't up to professional standards?
Will you end up paying, possibly a higher rate, for a professional to come in and finish up or fix your work later on?

It is easy to look at the cost of hiring a professional and think only of labor and materials. But remember, that a professional offers you an important service...years of experience, the right tools, a network of suppliers and subcontractors, and an in-depth understanding of legal regulations, cost estimating, scheduling, warranty, and overall ease of mind.