The Situation:

Remodel an existing home on a hillside that had an awkward basement into a living space that can double as a separate apartment. Poor access prevented a bobcat from being able to be used. There was no simple way to get rid of the excess soil. Natural springs were present in the area and the basement was prone to flooding.

The Idea:

Hold the home up create the space by excavating beneath.

The Solution:

We placed drove a Dingo up the stairs and through a hole in the wall we cut. We did and extensive amount or preparation and anticipation of water. A sump pump was placed with a water alarm as well as rubber membranes sheet drains and lava rock. Use a series of 2  20′ conveyer belts and a Dingo to dig it ourselves. Use cribbing and house jacks to hold the home up without causing collateral damage.

The Details:

Ada County highway district allowed us to dump soil near by. We cut a hole in a garage and had a series of conveyer belts take soil through a wall and through a ceiling into our trailer. Kitchen, Bathroom with re-purposed cabinets, Lots of natural lighting, and a fireplace.

Investment Range $90,000

Time Frame 16 weeks

The Challenge:

Basement Bath

This was a basement storage area under the stairs and a perfect place to add a bathroom. determine what was under the floor. Finding a way to get the sewage out. It was a tight space and an enclosure would make it feel claustrophobic. Finding a way to access the sewage pump while it was hidden away beneath the stairs. Finding the right shaped curtain rod.

The Idea:

Add a sewage ejection pump. configure the floor with a sunken shower rather than a raised curb. Add a custom curved curtain attached to the ceiling.

The Solution:

We placed the ejection pump behind a rolling cabinet we had salvaged so it could be easily worked on. We found a supplier of mailable curtain rods.

The Details:

Sunken floor shower, custom curtain rod, can lighting and eclectic tile.

Investment Range $17,000

Time Frame 3 weeks

This project allowed us to be clever and resourceful, we found a place where water was entering by looking at the walls we could see effervescence and by digging outside we located the cold joint and patched it prior to furring out the walls. The floor was dirt already so plumbing was not as difficult as expected. We did have to provide a new vent to the toilet.