Seven hundred basements. Every one finished at the price we quoted.

My husband and I were thinking, what do we want to do when he retires? We love it here so much, but do we sell and buy something else? Then my daughter came with a picture, and I thought, okay, she could have upstairs and we will live in the basement. So in my head I started thinking about how I would live down here. Would I be happy down here? Is this a place I want to stay for a long time? And I decided yes, because I want my daughter to be able to afford a home. She has a child and I want to be close to them.

What was important for us is that this basement needs to be functional. This is going to be my home. I have an adult child with special needs. It takes such a long time for him to get used to new places. So I thought, if we are going to be here, how is this going to be functional for him?

I had a dollar sign in my head that I was willing to put into this space, but would that be enough? Could I get within that price range, or was I going over it? So price was a big thing. Who is going to be honest enough to tell me what this space is going to be like?

We decided to research contractors to the standard we expect, and we came up with three companies that stood out. What stood out with BCR is that my questions were answered, and not only answered, but examples were given. I would ask a question, and the answers would come back with examples and explanation. You were able to explain to me what this really means. And we would go and check whether the answers BCR gave us were right. That is what separates BCR.

I am very pleased with the quality of work. I still cannot believe this is my basement, because it is totally a different space. I feel like I am the only client BCR had. While you were doing my work, I felt I could always reach you, always ask questions, and get answers back. That comforted me and made me feel like I was spending my money where I needed to spend it.

BCR was able to sit down with me and say, yes, you can get what you want, but this is what it will cost. You could get this, or you could get this. Compromising and understanding where I stand as a client was very important to me. I did not feel rushed into anything. I felt I had an opportunity to think, to come up with a decision, to have a discussion. It was deep thinking that was put into everything that happened here.

Windows are important. Outside is very important to my son. He loves to be outside. We brought him in, and the first thing he went to was the big windows. He looked out and he looked up, and I could just see him smiling. He went into his bathroom and said, this is your bathroom, it is going to be your bathroom. I brought him into his room and he went straight to the window and looked out, and he can see outside. That gives me joy, because I can see he is comfortable. The things that make him happy are here.

It is not like a basement. It does not feel like a basement. It is so bright, and the windows make a big difference, and the double door makes a big, big difference. So that gives me peace, because I know my son is going to be happy here.

I am amazed by some of the thoughts that come into your head. When I ask, you have already thought about it and you already have an answer. It helps that the contractor we hire is thinking of my whole family, not just me, because this is a huge investment for me. To take it on like it is your own, those are some of the unique things about BCR.

The first time you came into my home with all of your stuff, we sat at my dining room table and you had your computer out. I was asking a lot of questions, and my daughter said, do not follow him so hard. But I wanted to know, and you made me feel comfortable enough to ask anything. My grandson was running around making all kinds of noise and it did not even faze you. You just sat and listened and answered all the questions.

The people you brought in to work are very respectful. I have not seen any inappropriateness. They respect my property, they respect that we still live upstairs, they always knock. If they need something they come and ask, they do not just take. That is important to me, and the relationship becomes more comfortable and more solid.

I love everything about my basement. If I have to choose the two places I am totally in love with, it is my kitchen and my main bathroom.

Erica · Durham Region · recorded on site after completion

My name is Brian Paul and I hired BCR to complete our in-law suite basement apartment.

The main reason we transformed the basement into an in-law suite was we wanted to be one family under one roof. Our daughter and son-in-law and grandson wanted to buy this house, and we felt we wanted to be with them. There was enough space, it needed to be done, and we hired BCR to do a professional job of modifying the basement.

The experience working with BCR Design Build was quite amazing actually. Right from the very beginning, the design strategy and the design input from professionals made our decisions much better. The plan was articulated and set out in a nice, easy reading format, and we continued to watch the project develop on time and on budget. So it was perfect.

The best part of the basement so far is the kitchen, the island, the functionality of the kitchen, and even being able to look over and see the living area, and of course the magnificent view of the backdrop of the trees.

Moving from a three-bedroom house to a basement in-law suite will take some strategy around downsizing and bringing in the right things. But the positives outweigh the negatives. The positives were, we are with our family and we are with our grandchild. We also have someone to oversee our area when we are travelling, because that is what we are doing these days, a lot of travelling. All rolled up into one, it was a good decision for the Paul family to be able to be in one common area and enjoy life.

What I would say to someone considering a renovation with BCR is that it is a full service turnkey operation. They design, they recommend, you make the decisions, then they execute. They set the timelines, they work the plan, and they deliver the product on time and in a very professional manner. It is a beautiful basement apartment, and we could not be happier. If you want the best, hire them.

They are professional. Everyone in the team worked well, right from design concept input to better ways of doing construction, from Quacy to the trades coming in and doing the work. There is no question, if you want a professional job that looks great, they are the ones.

Again, timing and execution of a project is huge. They set the timeline and made the basement renovation within that timeline, which is usually a horror story with a lot of contractors. This was no horror story. It was perfect first time.

Brian Paul · Millbrook, Ontario · recorded on site after completion