Wasatch Walkout Basements

Yes.

• Estimate: As the name suggests, this provides a general cost range for completing a project. The estimate may evolve as the design progresses and materials are chosen. It offers customers a preliminary idea of the potential budget before moving forward to a more detailed proposal, which outlines all aspects of the project.
• Proposal: This document is much more detailed and typically requires multiple visits to the customer’s home. It includes precise designs, project plans, labor and material costs, and a comprehensive scope of work. Both the customer and our company will approve and sign the proposal before any work begins.

We don’t require half down like most contractors.  We are fully aware of the nightmare stories you’ve heard of contractors running off with large down payment amounts.  We believe that trust is earned.   We only ask for a $500 down payment, just enough to ensure us that you are committed to moving forward with the project. The remaining balance is due at final walk through.  We do not offer any kind of deferred payment options.  We accept cash, check, ACH transfers, and credit card payments. For credit payments, we ask our customers to cover the processing fee of 3% so please avoid paying by credit card if possible.

Yes, we are happy to look at THE home you are seriously wanting to buy. We understand that purchasing a home is a major life decision.  Knowing if a walkout basement entrance can or cannot be added to your home, and what it may cost, are key deciding factors.  However, to set clear expectations we will not take the time to look at ALL the houses you are considering.

Absolutely! We pride ourselves on setting clear project expectations. Once an estimate has been accepted, we will set up an initial consultation meeting and establish a clear project schedule with you.  Our scheduling system is online based, allowing you to access it at any time to check the status of your project.

No, however this is often a way to reduce some cost of your project.

Yes. We will assist in the city permit process from application to approval to help avoid any delays.

Do I need structural engineering plans for my walkout basement entrance?

None that you will pay directly. We include the building permit & inspection fees in the price of your walkout basement project and we will pay the fees.

In most cases, the city’s turnaround time is about 2 weeks. Please note that the architectural, structural, and site plans need to be prepared prior to submitting to the city. These plans usually take about a week to prepare.

For most projects, expect our crew to be working at your house for 5 full construction days.  However, those 5 construction days are not consecutive. There are pause points for city inspections, and for concrete to cure. So typically, the construction labor is happening on & off at your house for about a 2-week period. Also, prior to construction starting there are several steps to be taken adding additional lead time. Blue Stakes (checking for utility lines), Engineering, and waiting for permit approval from your city all takes about 3 weeks.

Unfortunately, no. Based on past experiences, we’ve found that we are unable to maintain the level of quality and service we aim to deliver when outside subcontractors, friends, or clients themselves are involved in the project. By utilizing our own subcontractors and labor, we can fully guarantee our work and adhere to the project timeline.

No, we specialize in just the walkout basement entrance portion of your project.  It’s what we do best, so we stay in our lane.  However, If you need help finding a reliable contractor to finish/remodel the rest of your basement we have many trusted industry partners we could refer you to.

Unfortunately, we don’t undertake projects without providing the materials ourselves. While we used to allow this, it led to numerous challenges with damaged and incompatible items. Over time, we have built a strong network of suppliers and vendors that assist us with unique installations, damaged materials, and specialized product knowledge. However, homeowners can purchase certain materials if they wish. For example, items like surface-mounted light fixtures, door hardware, & security doorbells are often bought directly by homeowners.

This is a tricky question, but we recommend setting aside additional funds beyond the project’s anticipated cost.  in remodeling, there is always the possibility that there are unknown issues behind existing walls, including bad framing, outdated electrical, or mold and rotting wood that can add additional costs to the project – beyond what is outlined in the proposal. We always try to limit these expenses and look for problem areas well in advance. But issues can arise beyond our control that require our immediate attention. No matter what happens in a project, we will do everything we can to “make it right.”

Nope. The majority of our work is performed outside of your home. We will also alert you before operating any of our extremely noisy tools like concrete saws and jack hammers.  Hopefully this helps keep you calm and comfortable inside your home.

No, this isn’t necessary.  All project and design decisions will have been finalized prior to construction start so we won’t need you there to double check anything. Our crew will not need access to main levels or bathrooms in your home. We only need access to your basement twice during the construction process –

1. Prior to cutting out the basement door, we’ll need to set up a plastic containment area inside of the door to catch all the dust. We usually come in through a basement window for this step.
2. On the tail end of the project our electrician will need basement access to wire in the required exterior light, and light switch.  Basement door access will be available at this point.

Any work that incurs extra costs beyond the initial agreement is handled through a change order. We update all change orders on our online customer portal, ensuring full transparency. This approach eliminates any unexpected costs at the completion of the project and allows you to make informed financial decisions throughout the process.

All of our trade partners are fully licensed and insured in Utah. My goal is to ensure that you feel completely confident with our team. I personally oversee each project, carefully selecting only the most skilled tradespeople who maintain the highest standards of integrity and transparency. From start to completion, I will be your main point of contact for all project communication.

Most of our work is performed outside of your home so dust in your living space won’t be an issue.  However, cutting a door into your concrete foundation is a very messy process. We install a temporary plastic barrier inside of your home to contain the mess.

Yes, we have to get a little creative in below freezing temperatures with blankets and heaters, but totally possible.