Hi,
I just thought I would send you a quick reccomendation! We have not finished our basement yet, but we had our kitchen remodeled and my in laws are currently having their basement redone. It is all done by a Great childhood friend of my husbands. His website is http://painterbobservicesllc.com/default.html
His is excellent, and very honest and honestly priced. I have reccommended him to many friends over the years and he has become a household name among them!! He would be able to help you with most if not all of your questions about which way to go with the basement and all you need to consider. The top before and after kitchen on his photos page is my kitchen. It came out wonderful!!!. He lives in Ferndale and will travel just about anywhere in the metro area. I have had some of my friends hire others to do kitchens and basements and pay much more, and have gotten less quality work. So don't be afraid to pick a lower price quote, thinking that quality goes with price!! It is not always the case!
That aside no matter WHO you hire, be prepared for a longer than estimated time frame and having to give a little in the times and such. EVERY and I mean EVERY person I know that has EVER hired someone to work on their house, no matter who, or what company they were, seemed to have issues with time constraints. Probably because most of them are doing more than one job at a time. Although I do know that right now, my friend and I would assume, most contractors are slow. This is the slow season and the economy does not help either. Good luck!! and if you have any questions about my friend, please Ask!! The phone number is ###-###-#### and his name is Bob! You can tell him that M. refered you!!
M.