Adding on and digging out the basement

[Anonymous]

We are doing a two-story addition and have the option of doing crawlspace underneath or digging out and adding on to our basement. A builder estimated $20k for digging out an unfinished space. We would gain just under 300 square feet of additional below grade basement space judging from the size of the room addition above it. We already have a finished basement that has a BR, bath, family room, and laundry room/kitchen. However, that space is with a 7' ceiling. Digging out the basement could give us additional space with 9' ceilings.

Is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

I would for me if I had the money. You can finish is later.

[Anonymous]

I vote no. I would spend the 20k above grade.

[Anonymous]

Be really sure you have a contractor who knows what it is doing when digging out a basement. Our neighbors had a nightmarish experience with this.

[Anonymous]

We just had to make this decision but our original basement isn't finished. We decided to go ahead and dig it out because it's our one chance to do this. It's definitely not cheap but ultimately you'll probably be glad you did. We also looked around at houses and the most tempting one had an additional basement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just had to make this decision but our original basement isn't finished. We decided to go ahead and dig it out because it's our one chance to do this. It's definitely not cheap but ultimately you'll probably be glad you did. We also looked around at houses and the most tempting one had an additional basement.

Thanks. It is not an easy choice. Having one shot at doing it seems to raise the stakes.

[Anonymous]

NO!

A friend wants to do the same reno with basement to his little house, and we are trying to convince him that extending his basement is not worth it financially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I vote no. I would spend the 20k above grade.

Interesting response. The builders we have talked to have been lukewarm about this as well. I think the discount for below grade space on the appraisal is significant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
NO!

A friend wants to do the same reno with basement to his little house, and we are trying to convince him that extending his basement is not worth it financially.

You sound like a great friend, laying out objective information and letting your friend decide what's best for him on his own. On what basis are you deeming it not worth it financially? Why do you presume those same arguments apply to OP?

Wisdom is realizing the limits to your knowledge and intellect.

[Anonymous]

It really gets down to what you are going to do with the space and the quality of the space.

If you are able to add space which adds to the flow of the basement area, expands the space in a natural way and allows you to do something of value, then it is worth it. Also, if you are able to do it in a way that uses the exterior grade or adds some natural light wells, maybe even an additional bedroom with an egre3ss window, etc to the space, then again, I would worry less about the appraisal.

If you are going to add dark, cool, damp space and the rest of your basement is simply storage, then it is absolutely not worth it. You will never get that money back.

[Anonymous]

It would be weird to have a 7 foot basement and a regular one. I would make both 9 feet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be weird to have a 7 foot basement and a regular one. I would make both 9 feet.

Great idea, but how in the world would I go about doing that without having to do some complex and costly renovations to the floor above it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be weird to have a 7 foot basement and a regular one. I would make both 9 feet.

Great idea, but how in the world would I go about doing that without having to do some complex and costly renovations to the floor above it?

You would dig down. But since your basement is already finished, this may not be worth it.

[Anonymous]

We just made the same decision and went for digging out the extra space. As someone else said you can always finish it later, but this is really your only chance to dig out. We have a 3 and 5 year old so we know in the future we will want more space for the kids to hang out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just made the same decision and went for digging out the extra space. As someone else said you can always finish it later, but this is really your only chance to dig out. We have a 3 and 5 year old so we know in the future we will want more space for the kids to hang out.

Thanks. Did you end up finishing the space or just getting it roughed out. Do you have a finished basement already and are adding on to it?