Q: Do you obtain a building permit prior to performing work?
A: Absolutely. You should always require your contractor to obtain a permit when performing work on your home. A city employee will inspect the work performed multiple times throughout the construction process to ensure it meets uniform codes developed to ensure quality and safety. Your insurance company may require this documentation to continue to provide insurance for your home. You may also be required to provide proof of inspection when you decide to sell the home.

Q: Why do some contractors require the homeowner to obtain the permit?
A: Unfortunately, many contractors either do not obtain permits or require the homeowner to obtain/ pay for the permit themselves. This should be a major red flag when deciding on a contractor to finish your basement. To obtain a building permit, a contractor must be licensed in the governing municipality where the work will be performed. To obtain that license, the contractor must pass a test of the uniform building codes and provide proof of insurance. The truth is, many contractors can’t pass the test or don’t have adequate insurance. Therefore, they ask the homeowner to obtain/ pay for the permit themselves.

Q: Are you adequately insured in case an unforeseen construction-related incident occurs in my home?
A: Yes. The State of Colorado requires all contractors to carry a liability policy for $100,000 per incident and $200,000 in total. Many contractors carry only this minimum level of insurance which may fail to cover the expenses associated with an accident if it occurs in your home. Unfortunately, the homeowner (or their insurance company) may be pursued in the event that the contractor’s coverage does not cover such an incident. Basement Partners, Inc carries a $1,000,000 policy with a $2,000,000 total. This is 10x what is required by Colorado state law. This is just one of the ways that you can rest assured you are working with a reliable company.

Q: Do you utilize sub-contractors to perform work on your jobs?
A: Yes. We believe that the efficient and effective use of sub-contractors adds to the overall value of a project. Our sub-contractors must go through a screening process which validates previous work, provides proof of insurance, and checks proof of licenses to perform work for us. We believe that the use of sub-contractors provides a quality advantage over independent contractors that perform the work themselves because our sub-contractors specialize in their specific phase of the construction process. They are exceptional at performing one element of the process vs. trying to be good at everything.

Q: Do you include an allowance for carpet in your quotes?
A: Yes. Many contractors do not include carpet in their quotes. Why they don’t is a mystery to us. Carpet and other flooring components (hardwood, tile, etc) are an integral part of your basement project.