ᐅ Basement: Build New or Use Existing?

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are planning to build a prefabricated house with a basement.
On the plot of land we want to buy, there is currently a house, but it is in poor condition and will be demolished by the landowner.
It is a prefabricated house from the 1970s with a basement.
The owner assures us that the solidly constructed basement has always been dry. The dimensions are about 9x12m (30x40 feet).
Now I’m not sure: should I keep this basement, renovate its insulation, and build the new house on top? Of course, this would limit the floor plan options somewhat.
Or would you rather recommend demolishing the basement and building a new one, perhaps using precast reinforced concrete elements?
Groundwater probably won’t be an issue since the plot is situated on a hill.

And one more question: could you give a rough estimate of the costs involved?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

M.

Phew, basically I would recommend a new build if the house is already in poor condition. But if you think it’s still okay, definitely have it inspected by an expert beforehand. Otherwise, it’s like looking into a crystal ball—no one really knows the current state, what about thermal insulation or even structural integrity, and so on!

I can't contribute to the main question, but I would like to point out that I now find it a bit bold if not supported by evidence, when it is claimed that

Aramo schrieb:
groundwater probably wouldn’t be an issue because the plot is located on a hill.

We had the same assumption during the initial planning phase, but we will soon have a waterproof shell ("white tank") built on a hill.