ᐅ Building With or Without a Basement – Experiences

I could be harsh and say that with the higher prices for houses with basements, you also have to factor in deductions for damp basements...

I always wanted a house with a basement. Now I have one without. Instead of going downstairs, I just go upstairs...

Nowadays, almost all houses built here no longer include basements. I believe that the generation that values having a basement is gradually disappearing. People no longer keep things. Items that are no longer needed are sold, given away, donated, or disposed of.

However, I also agree that houses where the only storage option is a 6m2 (65 sq ft) utility room definitely lose value. So, a certain amount of storage space should be available. This can be in the form of a finished attic, a sufficiently large utility room, and/or a spacious garage—preferably with an additional room.

In our family, even the younger generation prefers having a basement... we are definitely building one this year. I don't think it has much to do with being conservative. Besides a 10sqm (108 sq ft) utility/laundry room, we have a 10sqm (108 sq ft) pantry/wine cellar and an additional 40sqm (430 sq ft) of living space in the basement. A basement that is dark and damp and used only as a storage room is a rather "conservative" view.

I believe that too. My parents and parents-in-law seem to ask us every week whether we really don’t want to build a basement (both of them built with a basement).

For us, it was quite simple: We couldn’t afford a larger plot with a bigger house on it. A basement was the more affordable option. The advantage of the basement: the house could be raised a bit (ground floor level about 70cm (28 inches) above ground), which suits our taste better, and the house fits better into the surroundings. Additionally, during heavy rain, surface water from the slope next to us can’t run over our terrace...

Irgendwoabaier schrieb:
By the way, even during heavy rain, the surface water from the slope next door cannot run over our terrace...

Rather into the basement? :-P

No, but it’s clear: if land prices are very high and plots are small, you have to build upwards more. If the zoning plan restricts buildings to no more than 1.5 stories, you have to build downwards instead. The townhouses in the city center often don’t have basements either, but they can be up to seven floors high instead...