K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan, but they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and surrounding area.
In this Trusted Saskatoon Tip, K & S Contracting discusses preparing your basement for renovation.
Preparing Your Basement for Renovation
A finished basement is a great space to entertain, relax, or pursue hobbies. Turning a cold, empty, concrete basement into an enjoyable living space takes work and planning. There are a lot of design and functionality options which are up to personal choice, but there are some basic considerations to keep in mind for anyone planning a basement renovation. Before you start, take these tips into consideration for a smooth and successful Renovation.
Start with the Layout
Plan how the room(s) in the basement will be laid out. Any bedrooms must have windows for safety. Put the main socializing area in a spot with good natural light to draw people in. If you are planning on having a TV viewing room it can be in the darker area away from the windows to reduce glare.
What to Fix Before You Start Renovations
Check for moisture by taping some squares of plastic over the walls and floors. If moisture forms underneath, your basement foundation is likely not sealed. If moisture forms on top, the basement needs dehumidifying.
Small leaks in the foundation can be dealt with yourself using some concrete-patching compound. Landscaping considerations such as sloping away from the foundation and installing gutters that send the water far from the foundation will also help. Any cracks in the foundation wider than a pencil should be checked by a professional structural engineer.
Insulate any exposed water pipes with foam insulation sleeves, and insulate any exposed wiring with high-temperature grade red silicone. If you feel uncomfortable working around electrical wires, have a professional take over this part. Have a professional check the integrity of floor joists, and inspect any fuel burning equipment and the ventilation system to ensure you won’t have carbon monoxide buildup.
Now You are Ready to Start the Renovations
Now that the basement is ready to go, you can start the actual work! If you would rather not DIY a major project like a basement renovation, the Trusted Contractors at K & S Contracting are ready to help!
Their services include:
Invisible Fence® Brand systems Saskatchewan are invisible boundary systems for your yard and home! It keeps your pet out of harm's way and prevents unwanted behaviours throughout your home and yard. The systems are safe, humane, and highly recommended by Veterinarians, Behaviorists, and pet experts. Over the last 45 years, they have helped more than two million pets and their owners lead safe and harmonious lives together, and their exclusive training program allows dogs and cats to learn their boundaries without fear, distress, or behavioural harm. Invisible Fence Saskatchewan is your Trusted Saskatoon Pet fencing solution expert!
Do Invisible Fence Collars 'Shock'?
This great photo below, of a dog choosing not to "cross the line" of their invisible fence, despite some tempting moose in the yard, prompted this question on social media:
"So would it have gotten a shock if it crossed the line?"
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"It does not give them a shock. It is a sensation that they just don’t like. It is kind of like a
chalkboard to us. It doesn’t hurt us to scratch our nails down a chalkboard, but we sure as heck won’t do it because we cannot stand the feeling of it. So think of their boundary as their chalkboard. Even if I had to turn a dog's collar up onto the highest setting because he was that stubborn, the greatest amount of static in his collar is no more than when you drag your feet across the carpet. But a rate of vibration is added into it creating that sensation that they just don’t like. When we begin the training with your pets, it is on a low rate of vibration only which you and I cannot even feel in our hands.
I always put the collar in the owner's hand so that they can feel what they are feeling. You will look at me and tell me you don’t feel anything. And that is the point. You will watch me teach your dog to learn and understand what and where his boundaries are in a setting that you and I cannot even feel. Eventually, his collar settings will change in order to keep him within his boundaries should he be tempted to leave. But that is not done until he gets to know his boundary and which way to turn at his boundary 100%. We let him make all the mistakes while learning in a setting that we cannot feel. This way, they have a full understanding of their boundary before their settings are put to a containment level designed for each and every dog individually. Their containment settings will be customized based on their breed, size, age, and personality. Perhaps one of your dogs is timid and the other one is the opposite. Then their collars will be set very differently. The training will be done differently as well."
Solange Continued...
"This is one of the many reasons that makes us so different from anything else out there. Because we have the ability to set the collar on a low rate of vibration only allowing the dog to learn. Dogs thrive on their training. They love to learn new things. So when they get to learn something that is only making them aware but not startling or scaring them at all. Research has been done with invisible fence brand products where researchers and veterinarians hooked dogs up to machines that measured their heart rates and stress levels. Not one single dog was ever under any kind of stress or duress while going through the training. Because it is done in such a kind and gentle way. This is why animal behaviourists and veterinarians support invisible fence brand products and the training. The training was designed by animal behaviourists specifically to go with our systems. Thank you for asking this question. I hope that this was helpful. You can call me anytime and I can explain further."
At Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan, they're passionate about protecting pets — so you can focus on fun! Get more information on the solutions they offer by visiting their listing in the Trusted pets and vets category.
Being a Trusted Business on the Trusted Saskatoon Directory of Excellence comes with a lot of responsibility - no other directory, advertising medium, or 'watchdog organization' puts businesses through the process we do before we promote and endorse them.
The Trusted Saskatoon businesses become partners with a contract, and they become part of a Trusted community. In a community, we all have our parts to play to ensure that the directory maintains it's high standards and level of integrity. To ensure that our partners are upholding these guarantees on a daily basis we have a MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM, where normal everyday people mystery shop our Trusted SaskatoonPartners.
We then ask our mystery shoppers to fill out a report to tell us about the experience and share them here in our Saskatoon Trusted tip library.
Name of Shopper: Kim K
MYSTERY SHOP CHECKLIST
1. How was the greeting/ welcome/ call answered? Friendly staff member
2. If retail: Appearance of the store/staff and showroom? Great showroom, clean and I had no idea they did lighting!
3. Product/industry knowledge of staff? Very helpful – they directed me to the product that I asked for.
4. If a quote is required is the quote well laid out/ clear? No quote required – they got me pricing and I bought the item there and then from them.
5. Did they ask where you found them? No
6. Overall experience 1-10. I never give 10s- but they get a 9
7. Would you return as a customer/ recommend them to close friends? Yes- definitely – I was happy.
8. Did anyone stand out as exceptional? If so who? Why – Everyone was helpful.
If you made a purchase/booked a job how was the process?
If you did become a customer please refer to the Trusted Guarantees and give an overall mark on each if applicable
TRUSTED GUARANTEES
1. Provide the service and quality promised. - 10
2. Complete the job on time. – 10 – it was in stock!
3. Charge the price quoted with NO surprises- 10 - as priced
4. Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs- 10
5. Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind – 10 – no issues with service or product
Please share any other comments relating to your experience with the company.
"I had never been to Kitchen & Classics before finding them on
TrustedSaskatoon.com– I was impressed with the selection, the store and the price of my item (a toilet). The staff were helpful and the quality of the product for the price is great! I will go back in the future and would recommend others to go there – thumbs up from me!
" - Kim
GREAT job goes out to the bathroom team at Kitchen & Bath Classics! They have reaffirmed that they are deserving of the THUMBS UP from
www.trustedsaskatoon.com!
If you need to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom and are looking for a company with excellent customer service and knowledge, check out Kitchen & Bath Classics Trusted Saskatoon listing for more information - they are Trusted Saskatoon Bathroom Experts!
The Trusted Saskatoon directory team is thrilled to welcome Wiegers Financial & Benefits to the Trusted Saskatoon community. You will find their listing in the Saskatoon Financial Services and Saskatoon Insurance categories on the Saskatoon Directory You Can Trust.
It's easy to brag about Wiegers Financial & Benefits!
Established 25 years ago by Cliff and Deb Wiegers, the company grew from humble beginnings to a level of success that puts it on par with some of Canada's largest financial planning companies!
Their approach to working with clients is personal. They are dedicated and committed to getting to know their clients and what they want and need, both at the beginning of the working relationship and as their personal and professional lives change or as their businesses evolve. This commitment is reflected in a process involving regular contact and a client/advisor relationship that is comfortable, familiar and special in an industry not often associated with warmth!
Award Winning Community supporters!
Care for Kid by Wiegers actively fundraises year-round and has already hosted five major fundraising events, raising over $800,000 for the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital.
Wiegers Financial & Benefits came highly recommended.
Many of the Trusted Saskatoon partners are already long-standing clients of Wiegers Financial & Benefits. In fact, they were nominated by Trusted Saskatoon Salon owners Laddie and Shelley James of Hairstyle Inn Salons—that in itself is a great testament to the high standards and level of care that the Wiegers team brings to the table!
Don't take our word for it - hear from more of their happy clients here!
"The people at Wiegers take care of me personally as well as the group benefits at Reed Security. They're helpful, friendly and always offer a variety of options. I'm also impressed with their community values and the huge dollar amounts they continue to raise for the Children's Hospital. They care!" Virgil Reed, Reed Security, Trusted Saskatoon Alarm & Security Professionals.
"My wife and I have been accessing investment advice, long-term planning and portfolio management from Wiegers and company for several years. I have found the services to be personalized and tailored to the needs that we have, which wouldn't be the same for people of a different age. Attention is paid to our financial circumstances and our advisor, which in our case is Cliff Wiegers, keeps in touch personally or through others at the company. You have more confidence that people are taking care of the financial affairs under their watch in a careful way when you know that they do not resent making personal contact and obviously see it as an important part of making sure that they understand your needs. They take the time to discuss things which is not always case with service providers. Whether times for investment are good or bad, the need exists for competent guidance and we have received that. It is good to deal with a local company that is also linked in with large financial organizations which offer a range of products that may fit the particular client. I have appreciated the personalized service and attention we receive from the company." Eric Cline, Saskatoon
We proudly promote and give the thumbs up to Wiegers Financial & Benefits as Trusted Saskatoon Financial and Insurance advisors!
Check out their listing on the Saskatoon Directory of Excellence by clicking on the links below: