Category: Basement
Case Study: What Happens When You Hire an Unqualified Contractor?
We’ve all heard the horror stories of unqualified contractors. Perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself. Whether the result is poor craftsmanship, budget overruns, or a project that lasts months longer than expected, nobody wants to end up with a contractor who lacks the skills or experience to do the job well. At Lamont Bros. Design…
12 Luxury Home Remodel Ideas
When planning a home remodel, you usually start with the must-haves. But if you plan to live in this home for a while, you might find yourself looking for some luxury features to include in your remodel, too. Many homeowners worry that high-end features will be too expensive when in reality, many of them are…
Can I raise the ceiling height in my basement? Yes. Here’s how.
You’ve found yourself wanting to raise the height of your basement ceiling. Perhaps it’s because the current ceiling height is too low to do anything useful with the space. Or maybe, the basement is the only place where you can viably add square footage to your home. For whatever reason, you now find yourself faced…
Basement Remodel Cost Breakdown
A basement remodel can be an exciting step for homeowners looking to expand their living space or add a unique touch to their home. Yet, for many, the most pressing question is not about the design or the end result, but rather, “How much will this remodel cost?” Understanding the cost breakdown of a basement…
Irvington Basement Remodel
Expanded Living Space for Historic Portland Home The homeowner’s decision to renovate the basement in this 1908 home in Portland’s historic Irvington district stemmed from a combination of factors. With ample space in their large home, they recognized a need for a dedicated family gathering area, which was missing. In particular, they wanted an additional…
Northeast Portland Basement Remodel
Basement Conversion to Home Office & Media Room After 20 years of living in this 1913 craftsman-style home in Northeast Portland, the homeowners decided it was time to remodel their basement. They knew that they wanted to increase the living space in their home to accommodate for changes in their lifestyle, and the basement was…
How to Add a Bar to Your Basement
For as long as basements have existed, people have been drinking in them. But what makes the difference between an unrefined weeknight bottom-shelf tequila bender and a sophisticated socialite’s respectable evening cocktail? Many would say it’s all about the setting, which is why the best way to elevate your subterranean drinking experience is to add…
Does my Portland Home need a Seismic Retrofit?
You’ve probably heard that the Portland metro area is at high risk for earthquakes. But did you know that in spite of this, not every home in Portland is built to withstand a major seismic event? If you’re concerned that your home may be at risk during an earthquake, don’t panic. A seismic retrofit can…
How to Waterproof Your Basement
Whether used for storage or living space, a basement can be a useful feature to any home. However, due to being located below ground, they can also be prone to water intrusion. For this reason, it’s a good idea to waterproof your basement and keep your home safe from water damage. As one of Oregon’s…
How and why to add an egress window to your basement
You want to have your basement legally designated as a living space, but to do that, fire safety code requires that you have means of egress in specific areas. Fortunately, adding an egress window or door to an existing basement is a simple and relatively common project. Our team at Lamont Bros. has worked with…
How to convert a crawl space into a basement
If you have a crawl space under your house, it’s possible to convert it into additional square footage for you to live in. Sound complicated? It doesn’t need to be with a detailed design plan and the right team at your side. But the question remains: How do you convert a crawl space into a…
When to repair the foundation of a historic Portland home
There’s no question that old homes in Portland have character. But while charm and rich history rule the view from above, many of these homes face a challenge below ground. Hundreds of historic Portland homes today sit on crumbling, compromised, or poorly constructed foundations. If you own a Portland home built before the 1960s, you…
Portland Styles Guide: Current Interior Design Trends
With home prices on the rise, many homeowners are choosing to remodel their current homes rather than buy a new one. Here in the Portland Metro Area, where rich history meets all things innovative and trendy, we’ve noticed a distinctly diverse interior remodel style emerge over the last few years. At Lamont Bros., our design…
How do the holidays affect remodel construction?
The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and if you’re in the process of a big remodel project (or considering one), you might have some questions about how the holidays could affect your construction timeline. At Lamont Bros, we get a lot of questions about the holidays, and with good…
How 3D modeling can help you design your remodel
Homeowners often feel like they’re taking a gamble when they remodel their house. They have an image in their head of how they want their home to look. The problem is, the vision is difficult to capture on design blueprints. What if something doesn’t look the way you envisioned? If only there were a way to…
How to get remodel permits in Portland
You’re ready to get to work on the next big home improvement project. You set aside some money, even had some plans drawn up for the work you want done. But now comes the step that everyone loves to hate: permits. But the truth is, getting remodel permits in Portland doesn’t need to be intimidating…
When to Replace Insulation in Your Home
Proper insulation can not only keep your home comfortable, it can also save you money on energy bills. But how do you know when to replace insulation in your home? Here are some telltale signs to look out for. The past decade was the warmest on record, and we’ve certainly been feeling the heat this…
Planning a Home Renovation: 5 Key Questions to Ask
A home remodel can be a pretty big undertaking, and it can come with a hefty budget. If you’re planning a home renovation, here are 5 important questions to ask before you get started in order to help ensure you’re spending your money wisely. 1. How long are you going to stay in your home?…