| Basement

May is officially National Home Improvement Month! When the weather warms up, homeowners start getting the itch to make updates to their home. Taking care of your biggest investment is definitely worth your time and is very rewarding once the project is complete. Perhaps you want to improve your outdoor areas or maybe one of your bathrooms needs some updating. Whatever the case may be, there are some important building code violations that are commonly made, unknowingly by DIY remodelers. We’d like to bring these to your attention, so you can avoid making them yourselves.

The Chrysalis Awards named Thompson Remodeling of Grand Rapids, Regional winners in the Kitchen Remodel $75,000-$100,000 and Basement Remodel categories of their annual awards competition. Continuing to set new standards of professionalism, 92 remodeling companies from across the United States were named winners at the 2015 Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The entries were judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure.

The Thompson Remodeling team is proud to announce our big win at the National CotY Awards! Our remodeling project was selected as the national winner in the Basement Under $50,000 category. NARI hosted an Evening of Excellence at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on April 17th where they announced the national winners live while simultaneously broadcasting the awards via webcast. Our team watched online and anxiously awaited to hear if we would be taking home one of the big trophies.

Thompson Remodeling Named NARI 2015 Regional CotY TM Winner The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Names 160 Regional CotY TM (Contractor of the Year) Winners We have exciting news! The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named Thompson Remodeling, in Grand Rapids, MI, 2015 East Central Regional CotY winners in the Residential Bath $50,001-$75,000 and Basement Under $50,000 categories of its annual awards competition.

This family’s basement had become a catch-all space and was sorely underutilized. Although it was spacious, the current layout wasn’t working. The homeowners wanted to transform this space from closed and dreary to open and inviting.

The lower level in your home can be used to create all types of unique living spaces. One of the things to keep in mind when thinking about a lower level basement remodel are the distinct qualities that this space can offer that other areas of your home may not: quiet, privacy and less light. You can use these qualities to your advantage to get creative with the space.

Did you know that egress windows are required in finished basements by Michigan residential code? The code states that an egress window is required in any habitable space or sleeping area in a basement or lower level that is below the fourth floor for both new and existing construction.

5 Minutes, Less Stress Last Wednesday I tripped over something at the bottom of our staircase down to the basement. I needed to bring up all the Christmas decorations and what was before me felt like a sea of stuff in the basement. Emotions I dare not share welled up inside me and I went on a 5 minute power clean. I didn't call a family meeting, I didn't ask for help, I just started stacking and sorting.

I am not a garage sale guy. Not surprising...not too many guys ARE in the first place. But it did walk through our basement today and recognize our recurring problem; clutter. We're due for our annual basement clean out and donation event. I did my section of our closet about a month ago. Kristin did her [larger] section of our closet two weeks ago. It feels so good to do this and it feels even better when we take on the basement.

Tonight's BBB After Hours was another success. New business connections were made, great food was enjoyed, and a spirit of optimism buzzed through the office tonight.