The Totowa, New Jersey homeowners are seeking to finish their basement. They hired Design Build Planners, through Mark of Excellence Remodeling to create the interior remodeling design plans.

Thus, the homeowners were presented with three different packages. Plan 1 is known as the “Robust” package. Plan 2 is known as the “Modest” package. Finally, Plan 3 is known as the “WOW” package. For this basement project the differences in the design levels can easily be recognized in wet bar, bathroom, floor finish, lighting, molding, and material selections. Find out more about the service the Design Build Planners offer here.

Below are a few of the before pictures from the unfinished basement.

Here is the scope of Plan 1, the Robust package. Pictured below the bullet point overview of the design scope are the Computer Aided Designs (CAD) for Plan 1.

Plan 1~ ROBUST:

• Finish basement per plan, leaving three unfinished sections of basement and one utility area
• Drywall ceiling, box around center duct work and girders
• Cover exposed support columns with round column wraps
• Open wall next to side stairs to the new utility room wall and install a railing (use a cleat near the existing stairs and stringer)
• Close in existing stairwell in the front with a double entry door
• Engineered flooring throughout the main area
• Build a wet bar near the utility room to include: full height refrigerator, dishwasher, sink,  hook up for beer taps, and seating for three
• Close off the rear bump out area into a closet to create a wall for the main TV area
• Three fixture bathroom with a storage closet to have tile floor, tile shower pan, tile shower walls to the ceiling, tile in non-wet area to 4’
• Crown molding and large base molding package
• Lighting per plan

Here is the scope of Plan 2, the Modest package. Pictured below the bullet point overview of the design scope are the Plan 2/Modest Computer Aided Designs.

Plan 2 ~ MODEST:

• Finish basement per plan, leaving three unfinished sections of basement and one utility area
• Drywall ceiling, box around center duct work and girders
• Cover exposed support columns with square column wraps
• Open wall next to side stairs to the new utility room wall and install a railing (use a cleat near the existing stairs and stringer)
• Close in existing stairwell in the front with a double entry door
• Carpet throughout the main area
• Build a wet bar near the utility room to include: A sink and a beverage center
• Leave the main bump out area open as a seating area
• Three fixture bathroom with a storage closet to have tile floor, tile shower pan, tile shower walls to the ceiling.  Shower size is reduced from plan 1
• Basic molding package
• Lighting per plan

Here is the scope of Plan 3, the WOW package. Pictured below the bullet point overview of the design scope are the Plan 2/”WOW” Package Computer Aided Designs.

Plan 3 ~ The WOW Package:

• Finish basement per plan, leaving three unfinished sections of basement and one utility area
• Drywall ceiling, box around center duct work and girders
• Cover exposed support columns with stone column wraps
• Open wall next to side stairs to the new utility room wall and install a railing (use a cleat near the existing stairs and stringer)
• Close in existing stairwell in the front with a double entry door
• Engineered flooring throughout the main area with a tile “runner” to the bathroom
• Build a wet bar near the utility room to include: full height refrigerator and wine refrigerator, dishwasher, sink,  hook up for beer taps, and seating for five
• Bar area to have decorative stone archway
• Close off the rear bump out area into a closet to create a wall for the main TV area
• Three fixture bathroom with a storage closet to have tile floor, tile shower pan, tile shower walls to the ceiling, tile in non-wet area to 4’ (bathroom is relocated to the rear of the home
• Crown molding and large base molding package
• Coffered ceiling in the main area of the basement
• Gas fireplace depicted in the front of home (final location and feasibility to be determined after production inspection)
• Stone wall at fireplace area
• Lighting per plan

The homeowners style preferences were for a modern look. They drew their inspiration from finished basement projects featured on Houzz.com. The design options are a result of homeowners online research combined with an in-home consultation with Design Build Planners. There is also a proprietary profile checklist that homeowners fill out that depicts their lifestyle and basement usage. After compiling this information, Design Build Planners incorporates their construction knowledge and design creativity for the space with a focus on the budget and overall investment.

The computer images were created by the talented Design Build Planners design team under the direction of Jason Parsons.  Jason Parsons is a Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler.