Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting Discuss Different Types of Basement Foundations

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan. In addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon tip, K & S Contracting, Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors, and foundation specialists, share the types of basement foundations.

TYPES OF BASEMENT FOUNDATIONS

There are 3 main basement foundations found in Saskatoon and the area, they are: 


  1. Full Basement Foundations 
  2. Daylight Basement Foundations 
  3. Crawl Space Foundations

FULL BASEMENT FOUNDATIONS

This type of basement is generally found on a 2 story or a bungalow home.  A bungalow is a home in which you walk up to the front door, and generally, there are only 1 or 2 steps to the door. Once you walk into the home you have a full staircase to go into the basement.  A full staircase is 13 to 16 steps. For both a 2-storey or a bungalow the windows in these types of homes are smaller, generally the opening about 24 inches at ground level. 

Full basements can either be finished or unfinished; finished basements are insulated and installed with drywall and flooring, providing living and storage space. Unfinished basements are not insulated and their walls and floors are left bare. 

This type of basement is one of the most expensive foundations to build and can be susceptible to mould and moisture. 


DAYLIGHT BASEMENT FOUNDATIONS 

This type of home is generally found in a home with a walk-out basement. As their name suggests, daylight basements let in some natural light and aren’t as susceptible to mould or moisture. This type of basement is perfect for a homeowner who wants a patio or access from their basement to outdoors.  


CRAWL SPACE FOUNDATIONS

Crawl space foundations are elevated several feet off footings, leaving a small protected space (usually three or four feet) between the ground and the base of the building. The foundation walls are built partially underground and shorter than basement foundation walls, making crawl spaces a happy medium between standard foundations and basement foundations. They are deeper than standard foundations and more shallow than basements.

Though they eliminate the possibility of having a finished basement, crawl spaces provide easier access to piping or plumbing than standard foundations. They also encourage more airflow underneath the building, which helps keep things cool in warmer climates. Crawl spaces are the least expensive type of basement foundation since they don’t require as much excavation. 

Do you know what type of basement foundation your home has and if it’s susceptible to moisture?  If you aren’t sure,  we recommend you call Steve immediately and ask him to provide you with the information you need. Not sure if you should purchase the home if it has foundation issues, check on Steve’s blog here. 


Advantages of a Walkout Basement By Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan. In addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon tip, K & S Contracting, Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors, and foundation specialists, share the advantages of a walkout basement.

ADVANTAGES OF A WALKOUT BASEMENT

Walkout Basements are designed so you can walk out the main floor of your home. Quite often, this basement design incorporates a wall with windows and a door that you can walk out of on the ground level, and it may have a raised patio or covered roof from the upper floor of the house to cover this entrance.


Some of the advantages of a walk-out basement include full-size windows in your basement. Full-size windows allow more natural light into your space. If you are looking to grow plants or use a portion of this space as a workspace, it is always well lit naturally. 


MORE LIVING SPACE

Generally, a walk-out basement is the same square footage as your upper living space, based on this, you have more living space. Walkout basements can be transformed into mudrooms that neatly hold shoes, backpacks and other items for coming in and out of the house. When put to its best use, a walkout basement provides endless ways to gain square footage in your home without enlarging its footprint.

ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS 

Because you have built your home with a walk-out basement, you literally have access to the outdoors from this level. Typically you will have a door that allows you to walk right into your backyard creating a hosting space or second living room that leads into the backyard for seamless entertaining; or as an indoor/outdoor playroom for the kids. 

SEPARATE APARTMENT FROM YOUR WALKOUT BASEMENT

Based on the amount of space you have in your walkout basement, many people use this space to create a separate apartment. A private door to the outdoors makes a walkout basement ideal for a standalone apartment where older children can live or as a complete in-law suite for flexible multi-generational living. If you’re looking to supplement your income, you might consider turning your walkout basement into a rental apartment where the tenants can come and go as they please without needing access to your home from the side door.  

There’s a lot to think about when you are picking a home design, do you know the advantages of a walkout basement? If you don’t we recommend you call Steve immediately and ask him to provide you with your options and costs

Trusted Celebrates Partners Who Have Been Trusted in Saskatoon For Over 5 Years- since 2017






Our mission continues to be saving you time, money, and stress when choosing locally-owned businesses that serve Saskatoon and the surrounding area. This article is to celebrate and recognize the latest Saskatoon Businesses that have been Trusted Saskatoon partners for at least 5 years!

Wiebe Windows & More Trusted Saskatoon Window & Door Pros for over 5 years!


Founder, Bradley Wiebe has been in the construction industry and installing windows and doors in Saskatoon and the surrounding area since 2004. Bradley grew up outside Saskatoon on a farm and has always known the meaning of hard work. He took pride in helping his dad and mom on the family farm, Wiebe Windows & More Ltd. was founded in ­­­­­­2015 and Bradley welcomed his wife Anna to the business in 2019. Prior to that, Anna used to work at Trusted Saskatoon as an account manager, so she knows what it means to be Trusted! Anna now looks after the day-to-day administrative tasks and helps manage projects from start to finish, even lending a hand on-site when needed.

A VIEW YOU CAN TRUST

Wiebe Windows & More Supports The Saskatoon Community

Bradley and Anna believe in supporting the community and giving back whenever they can. As a family, they volunteer with the Mending Little Hearts Fund of Saskatchewan and sponsor their yearly CHAMPS camp The Mending Little Hearts Fund is a designated fund through the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation supporting heart families and pediatric cardiology right here in Saskatchewan! This fund is close to the Wiebe Windows & More family as their son William had open heart surgery in 2016. Wiebe Windows & More is committed to providing value to existing and future clients through work done with integrity, as well as contributing to building a strong community.



What Wiebe Windows & More clients say:



"We did a lot of renovations this past year. We got to experience the challenges of dealing with poor trades in Saskatoon. Wiebe Windows & More is NOT one of those. Brad and Anna were great. Installation was done properly, and the finished work was great. Brad has gone way beyond with after-sales support and service. These are great honest people doing a great job." - Dan Canfield, Saskatoon

Thank you Brad & Anna for your trust and for embodying what it means to be an integrity-driven local business and an outstanding Trusted Saskatoon Partner in the window & door category


K & S Contracting inc are Saskatoon General Contractors. Originally founded in 1998. At that time they operated part-time. They constructed decks and managed other small residential renovation projects. In 2007 they incorporated, it was at that time that Steve Ostapiw decided to expand the construction/ renovation business to a full-time operation specializing in foundations.
K & S are a small-town company, with small-town values working in the big city and they are committed to ensuring that they will never be too big to do the small jobs. They believe that every person and every project, no matter the size, deserves their time and attention.

At K & S Contracting, they take care of all of the paperwork, and that means as a customer you can be assured that the job is done right, according to all current codes and regulations.

  1. They apply for all building permits 
  2. They follow all building codes
  3. All projects are structurally engineered

Steve, the founder, and lead coordinator is living his passion and he clearly enjoys working with clients on their projects. Steve manages his team by leading from the front and is a hands-on leader who delivers and demands a high quality of work and ethics.


What K & S Contracting clients say:



"We hired Steve to demolish our attached screened in porch and deck and repair the roof where it attached to the house. Once we were quoted the price and we accepted it, work began less than 5 days later. All the work was done very professionally and efficiently. We were impressed with the prompt service and are very happy with the finished product. There was some urgency to the job in order to not damage the existing house roof and we were appreciative of Steve responding to us in a timely manner. We would definitely use K&S again and would recommend them and would not hesitate to use them in the future." - Terry Ullman, Saskatoon

Thank you Steve for your trust and for showcasing that you are an integrity-driven local business and an outstanding Trusted Saskatoon Partner in the contractor's category


Born and raised in Saskatoon, Clark Dziadyk's tagline is  "The Realtor in Your Neighbourhood"! Clark was taught what hard work meant at an early age while working for the family excavating business and he has carried that work ethic into his real estate practice. He has been involved in the building process of many homes, this experience afforded him a good knowledge about residential construction which he believes is a unique selling proposition as a Saskatoon Realtor®. He prides himself on the ability to be able to educate his clients and provide the highest level of service possible. His goal with each and every client is to gain their trust so they feel comfortable referring his name to their family and friends.       

What Clark's clients say:



"If you’re looking for a realtor that will listen to you and work WITH you then Clark is your guy! He is not only incredibly experienced and knowledgeable but also relatable, real and instantly trustworthy. He took a great deal of time at the beginning of the search process to discover exactly what it was I was looking for and brought me all the right options. I felt completely comfortable talking to him and bringing up any concerns I had and felt that he always had my best interests at heart. Clark is professional, genuine, resilient, efficient and a great communicator (and always quick to respond!). My family has used him for multiple deals over the last number of years and are grateful to call him a friend.
I cannot recommend Clark enough and would not hesitate for a second to call him if you need help buying or selling a home. He is without a doubt Saskatoon’s BEST! THANK YOU, CLARK!
As a side note, he works with an incredibly responsive and professional team which made the process even more smooth.." - Laura Schraeder , Saskatoon


Clark's exceptionally hard work ethic, ability to solve issues that arise, patience, and passion for helping people are the qualities that contribute to his success in the industry. We are exceptionally proud to promote and support Clark Dziadyz a Trusted Saskatoon Realtor 



Trustedsaskatoon.com will save you time, save you hassle and save you money. Our local Trusted Saskatoon team is committed to finding outstanding businesses like the five we have highlighted above. Be assured, ALL the businesses featured on our Saskatoon directory have been checked, and verified and are annually contracted to uphold the 5 TRUSTED GUARANTEES of service! 

5 Trusted Guarantees

  1. Provide the service and quality promised.

  2. Complete the job on time.

  3. Charge the price quoted with NO surprises.

  4. Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs.

  5. Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind.


Trusted Saskatoon was founded on the principle that great local businesses deserve promotion. We know they are out there, we have found many already, and we work hard to find more. Please help us by nominating your favorite Saskatoon businesses here.


Developing Your Basement With Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting - Part 2 of 2

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan. In addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon tip, K & S Contracting, Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors, and foundation specialists, they continue last month's blog on Developing your Basement. This is Part 2.

DEVELOPING YOUR BASEMENT - PART 2

Many basements are little more than a place to collect cobwebs and store stuff. However, fixing a full-height basement can increase the usable living space in your home at a lower cost than adding on. Basements can be turned into any one of several living areas: bedrooms, rec room, or office space. 


Changing a concrete dungeon into an inviting living area can be a challenge, and not every basement is a good candidate for finishing. And this time, we are going to review the key considerations for conversion including lighting, ventilation, and dressing up those window wells.  Although you can do some of the work yourself, hiring K & S Contracting can save money and headaches. 



WHERE IS THE LIGHT? 

Basements that walk out usually have an abundance of light; however, when the only light is from small, ground-level windows, the basements can be dark and uninviting. The first step is to clear away shrubbery from existing window wells to make the most of what natural light there is available. If the basement is served by a steel bulkhead, a door with glass lights can be installed at the bottom of the steps and the bulkhead doors left open when the weather is nice. 

The options listed above, don’t always do the trick, so lighting needs to be added to the ceiling. Depending on the area you have to work with, you will have different options. Some of them include track lighting, recessed lighting or “can” lights can be added as spot or flood lamps. These lights allow you to add a dimmer switch which gives you more lighting flexibility. 


VENTILATION ISSUES

If you only go down to the basement occasionally, musty, damp air may be something that you can tolerate. But once the basement becomes a true living space, some form of ventilation is crucial in controlling air quality. Using reverse fans work, in winter they draw in fresh dry air from outdoors, and in summer moist air can be pumped out of the house. If the home already has a forced air heating system then the basement can become another area. 


HOW TO DRESS UP THE WINDOW WELL

It’s hard to enjoy the view out of a basement window if all you see is a when all you see is corrugated steel. Changing that dreary scenery may be easier than you think. You can add a view of the seashore, mountains, woodlands, desert or golf course with Scenic Window Wells’ WELL liner. These are weather-resistant polystyrene liner that slips into a standard window well. The window well liners will allow you to imagine you are on vacation to the ocean or on the golf course. 

There’s a lot to think about when you convert your basement into a bright, welcoming living area, when trying to make the decision to develop your basement, we recommend you call Steve and ask him to provide you with your options and costs. Once the work is done, you won’t be sorry about the decision. 

Developing Your Basement With Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting - Part 1 of 2

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan. In addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon tip, K & S Contracting, Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors, and foundation specialists, discuss what you should consider when developing your basement. This will be a 2 part article.

DEVELOPING YOUR BASEMENT - PART 1

Many basements are little more than a place to collect cobwebs and store stuff. However, fixing a full-height basement can increase the usable living space in your home at a lower cost than adding on. Basements can be turned into any one of several living areas: bedrooms, rec room, or office space. 


Changing a concrete dungeon into an inviting living area can be a challenge, and not every basement is great for finishing. Some of the things you need to think about are building codes, moisture, low-hanging drain lines, ductwork and wiring, and your walls and floors. Although you can do some of the work yourself, it will save you time, money and headaches, if you contact K & S Contracting to help you with the project.



MEETING BUILDING CODES 

Building codes vary, but generally, a basement must be 7 feet tall. Codes can permit lower obstructions if you have structural beams that can’t be moved. Connect with a local home inspector while you are in the planning stages and they can help you determine what you need to be within the National Building Codes. Once you determined what your basement will be used for, you must make sure it includes doors and windows for emergency escape.
 

MOISTURE

If your home has a history of flooding, you need to fix that problem before developing the basement. 2 inches of rain falling on a 2,000 sq ft home produces approximately 2,600 gallons of water.  Repairing cracks in the foundation, making sure that gutters are clear of clogs and sloping the ground away from the house can solve some of these flooding problems.  


LOW-HANGING UTILITY LINES

When you are building a new home, the basement ceiling height and utilities can be planned accordingly. However, when renovating an older area, water lines, air ducts, bathroom and kitchen drains etc are generally smack in the middle of where the renovations are happening. There are a few choices. Move them, box them in or leave them as is. If you decide to tuck water and drain lines out of sight, don’t block access to water shutoffs and drain clean-outs. 


FINISHED WALLS AND FLOORS 

Hiding concrete or block behind new walls is the easy part. Building walls that won’t encourage mold and mildew, or be damaged by condensation, is a lot harder. Because concrete in contact with the ground is always cool, it can become a condensing surface for water vapour in the warm air escaping from a finished basement. The result? Damp building materials, mildew and, eventually, rot. Air will be musty, finished surfaces ruined. 

When it comes to flooring, just about any material will work — tile, carpet, vinyl or laminate. Few contractors recommend traditional hardwood flooring because the moisture in the concrete can cause the wood to swell and buckle. 

When trying to make the decision to develop your basement, we recommend you call Steve and ask him to provide you with your options and costs. Check out Developing Your Basement – Part 2 in next month’s blog and Steve will talk about lighting, windows and ventilation. 

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Ph: 306.244.4150

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