Question 1

What brands of materials and fixtures do you use?

Accepted Answer

We use quality, basement-appropriate materials from established suppliers, and the specific options are laid out in your material selection guide (part of your quote) so you can see exactly what's available and choose what you like. If there's a particular brand you prefer, just let us know — we can usually work with it.

Question 2

Can I supply my own materials or fixtures?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes — some homeowners want to bring their own fixtures or finishes, and we can usually work with that. One thing to know: our warranty covers our workmanship and the materials we supply, so anything you provide yourself isn't covered under that. We'll talk through what makes sense so it fits the build and the schedule.

Question 3

What kind of flooring options do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Plenty — vinyl plank, tile, carpet, and engineered options are all common in basements, and the right choice depends on moisture, durability, comfort, and look. Our main flooring suppliers are All Floors Design Centre and Timbertown, but we're happy to work with any other supplier you'd prefer. (Solid hardwood usually isn't recommended below grade.)

Question 4

Do you do heated floors?

Accepted Answer

Yes — heated tile floors are a popular upgrade, especially in basement bathrooms where they make a real difference underfoot. We can include them wherever it makes sense; it's priced as part of the room.

Question 5

How do you handle soundproofing?

Accepted Answer

We can build in soundproofing wherever you want it — common spots are theatres, gyms, suites, and bedrooms. Depending on the goal, that can mean extra insulation, resilient channel, specialized drywall, or solid-core doors. Tell Oscar what you're trying to quiet down and he'll recommend the right approach.

Question 6

What's the deal with subfloor — do I need one?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the floor and the finish. A subfloor adds warmth, comfort underfoot, and a moisture break between the concrete and your flooring, which is why it's often worth it in a basement. We'll recommend whether it makes sense for your space and chosen flooring — it's one of those details we sort out in design.

Question 7

How much does basement flooring cost?

Accepted Answer

Our standard package includes carpet with underlay. Upgrading the whole floor to luxury vinyl plank or laminate runs about $2.50/sq ft; nicer carpets run about $1.00–$2.28/sq ft; and rubber gym flooring is about $9–$10/sq ft. Hard-surface flooring is the most popular upgrade. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 8

What kind of lighting do you install?

Accepted Answer

We install a layered lighting plan — typically recessed pot lights throughout, with options for accent lighting, under-cabinet lighting, dimmers, and feature fixtures where they make sense. Good lighting matters a lot in a basement since natural light is limited, so it's something Oscar designs intentionally rather than just dropping in a few cans.

Question 9

Do you do custom cabinetry?

Accepted Answer

Yes — custom cabinetry and millwork are a specialty (it's a big part of Oscar's background). Built-in shelving, entertainment units, bars, mudroom and under-stair storage — we design and build it to fit your space. It's priced by the piece since it's custom.

Question 10

How do you handle moisture or waterproofing in a basement?

Accepted Answer

We build with moisture in mind — that's basic to doing a basement right: moisture-resistant materials, proper insulation and vapour management, and a subfloor where it makes sense to keep flooring off the concrete. One important note: we finish basements, we don't fix active water problems. If there's existing leaking, flooding, or a foundation issue, that needs to be addressed first (usually by a foundation or waterproofing specialist). If we spot something at the site visit, we'll flag it — tell us what you're seeing and we can point you the right way.

Question 11

What flooring is best for a basement?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the room and how you'll use it, but the popular, reliable basement choices are vinyl plank (waterproof, durable, warm-looking), tile (great in bathrooms, pairs well with heated floors), and carpet (cozy in bedrooms and rec rooms). What we'd steer you away from below grade is solid hardwood, which doesn't love moisture. Oscar will help you match the flooring to each space.

Question 12

What kind of flooring is best for a basement bathroom?

Accepted Answer

Tile is the go-to for a basement bathroom — waterproof, durable, and a perfect pair with heated floors, which make a real difference underfoot down there. Luxury vinyl is a solid, more budget-friendly waterproof alternative. We'd steer away from anything that doesn't handle moisture well. Oscar will help you pick the right look.

Question 13

Do you use vinyl plank, carpet, or tile?

Accepted Answer

All three, depending on the room. Vinyl plank is popular throughout for being waterproof, durable, and warm-looking; tile is ideal in bathrooms (and with heated floors); carpet is cozy in bedrooms and rec rooms. Many basements use a mix — tile in the bath, vinyl in the main areas, carpet in the bedrooms. Oscar will match the flooring to each space.

Question 14

What countertops do you offer for a bar or kitchen?

Accepted Answer

We offer a range — quartz is the popular choice for durability and look, with laminate and other options depending on your budget and style. For a wet bar or suite kitchen, Oscar will walk you through the options and help you match the countertop to the cabinetry and finishes. [BO VERIFY: confirm specific countertop materials/suppliers to list.]

Question 15

What faucet and fixture brands do you install?

Accepted Answer

Delta is our preferred plumbing-fixture brand, through our supplier Canyon Plumbing — and we're happy to work with any brand you choose. One honest word of caution, especially with plumbing: be wary of 'Amazon-special' and some foreign-made fixtures, since cheap cartridges can be very unreliable. The rest of the fixture options are in your material selection guide so you can pick what you like.

Question 16

Do you offer eco-friendly or low-VOC material options?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if low-VOC or eco-friendly materials matter to you, we can build with them: low-VOC paints and finishes, and greener options for flooring and materials. Just let Oscar know it's a priority and he'll steer the selections that way. [BO VERIFY: confirm specific eco/low-VOC options offered.]

Question 17

Can I see and choose my materials in person?

Accepted Answer

Yes — material selection is hands-on. You'll work from a material selection guide and can see and choose finishes in person at our suppliers: flooring at All Floors Design Centre and Timbertown, tile at Tile & Stone Source, and cabinetry at Queen's Kitchens. Seeing and touching the materials makes it much easier to commit, and Kloe or Oscar are available if you'd like a hand.

Question 18

What's the warranty on the materials themselves?

Accepted Answer

Two layers here. Our 5-year warranty covers our workmanship and the materials we supply and install. On top of that, many products (fixtures, appliances, flooring) carry their own manufacturer warranties, which we pass along to you. If a material we supplied has an issue within our warranty period, we take care of it; for a specific product's manufacturer warranty, we can point you to it.

Question 19

What's the most durable flooring for a basement?

Accepted Answer

Luxury vinyl plank is hard to beat for basement durability — waterproof, scratch- and dent-resistant, comfortable underfoot, and great-looking. Tile is even more durable and ideal in bathrooms (and with heated floors), though it's harder and cooler underfoot. Both stand up well to a basement environment. Oscar will help you match durability to each room's use.

Question 20

Is carpet a bad idea in a basement?

Accepted Answer

Not bad, just situational. Carpet adds warmth and comfort, which is lovely in basement bedrooms and rec rooms, and modern carpet with the right underlay handles a dry, well-built basement just fine. Where we'd avoid it is bathrooms, near any moisture source, or in a basement with a history of dampness. The key is a dry, properly built basement first — then carpet's a great option in the right rooms.

Question 21

What's the best ceiling option — drywall or drop ceiling?

Accepted Answer

Both have their place. Drywall gives the cleanest, most finished look — it's what most homeowners want, and it makes a basement feel like the rest of the home. A drop (suspended) ceiling trades some of that polish for easy access to plumbing, wiring, and shut-offs above, which can matter if there's a lot of mechanical up there. Often the answer is mostly drywall with access panels where needed. Oscar will recommend based on what's running above your ceiling.

Question 22

Do you use moisture-resistant materials?

Accepted Answer

Yes — using moisture-appropriate materials is fundamental to building a basement right: moisture-resistant board in the right spots, vinyl or tile flooring, proper insulation and vapour management, and mould-resistant approaches where it matters. It's a big part of why a basement should be finished by someone who does basements — the behind-the-walls choices are what keep it dry and healthy long-term.

Question 23

Can I upgrade fixtures later, or choose premium now?

Accepted Answer

Either works. You can choose premium fixtures and finishes now and have them installed as part of the build, or keep things standard and upgrade later. A few things — anything tied to plumbing or rough-in, like a fancier shower setup — are far easier and cheaper to do during the build than to retrofit, so those are worth deciding up front. Oscar will flag which choices are best made now versus later.

Question 24

What insulation do you use, and is it up to code?

Accepted Answer

Yes — all insulation we install is done to code, with proper vapour management so moisture doesn't get trapped in the wall. In most homes the builder has already insulated the exterior basement walls; Oscar inspects that at the estimate and advises on any upgrades or repairs. Where we add insulation (interior walls for sound, or improving the exterior assembly), it's done to current code and inspected.

Question 25

What's the best soundproofing method between floors?

Accepted Answer

Between a basement and the main floor, the most effective approach combines a few things: insulation in the floor/ceiling cavity, resilient channel to decouple the drywall, and sometimes a second layer of sound-rated drywall. Solid-core doors and sealing gaps help too. For a legal suite, the required fire separation already adds sound resistance. Oscar will recommend the right combination for how you'll use the space.

Question 26

Do you offer warranties on appliances and fixtures separately?

Accepted Answer

Yes — products like appliances, fixtures, and flooring carry their own manufacturer warranties, separate from our 5-year workmanship warranty, and we pass them along to you. So you're covered two ways: we stand behind our installation and the materials we supply, and the manufacturer stands behind the product itself. For a specific item's terms, we can point you to the manufacturer's coverage.

Materials & Suppliers

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