ᐅ Renovation: No Direct Access from the Apartment to the Basement?
Created on: 15 Feb 2012 21:35
M
maike321
Hello everyone, we are currently planning the renovation of our attic apartment. Today, our architect came by with the first draft plans. We live with my parents in a two-family house from the 1960s. My parents have about 80 sqm (860 sq ft) on the ground floor, and we have around 55 sqm (590 sq ft), including sloped ceilings, in the attic.
Since we only have very limited expansion options (an attic space plus a small extension), our architect suggested completely removing the stairwell inside the house to use that space as living area. Since we want to have a separate entrance anyway, accessing the apartment wouldn’t be a problem. However, our washing machine and dryer are in the basement, so I would have to go out of our apartment every time to do laundry, walk a few meters (yards) across the courtyard, and then back into the old front door. My husband doesn’t mind—as long as he gets a bigger bathroom (though he doesn’t do the laundry :rolleyes 🙂. Putting the machines inside the apartment isn’t really an option for me, but do I really want to go outside every single time?
Has anyone had experience with this and can share their thoughts? It would be great to hear some neutral opinions. Best regards, maike321
Since we only have very limited expansion options (an attic space plus a small extension), our architect suggested completely removing the stairwell inside the house to use that space as living area. Since we want to have a separate entrance anyway, accessing the apartment wouldn’t be a problem. However, our washing machine and dryer are in the basement, so I would have to go out of our apartment every time to do laundry, walk a few meters (yards) across the courtyard, and then back into the old front door. My husband doesn’t mind—as long as he gets a bigger bathroom (though he doesn’t do the laundry :rolleyes 🙂. Putting the machines inside the apartment isn’t really an option for me, but do I really want to go outside every single time?
Has anyone had experience with this and can share their thoughts? It would be great to hear some neutral opinions. Best regards, maike321
If you want to install a small elevator, there are many things to consider and a lot of paperwork to complete. You will need to have a structural engineer come and assess the situation. Not to mention the costs involved... Whether all the effort is worth it or if it’s better to continue using the basement stairs is debatable 😉
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karliseppel5 Dec 2012 11:36Here are some thoughts that come to mind:
How long do you realistically plan to use this renovated house?
In other words: When might another use become relevant again, and would it then be disadvantageous to *not* have an internal staircase?
(Or is it only the staircase from the upper floor to the basement that is meant... but that surely goes through the ground floor, so there would be no connection anymore.)
Also, you would not be the first ones to take over the entire house after the parents-in-law move out at some point. Then it can become quite inconvenient to have to go to the fridge in pajamas.
For me, if reactivating the staircase is not an option, there are the following possibilities:
1.) Place the washing machine and dryer on the upper floor – consider this carefully, perhaps it can be nicely integrated right away, maybe even in the kitchen. When you are still in the planning phase, you have all options. Carrying laundry around *twice* is not an option.
2.) At least reduce the *twice-laundry-carrying* to once.
--> Plan a laundry chute that leads directly to the basement.
Core drilling, pre-building, and the shaft should cost around 3000 Euros (about 3,300 USD) I estimate.
Of course, this depends on the floor plans.
3.) Move out, but that has already been mentioned.
So, as I said: I see the biggest risk that the current living arrangement as a two-family house in this semi-detached unit will not always remain, and the removed staircase will be missed at some point.
Regards
How long do you realistically plan to use this renovated house?
In other words: When might another use become relevant again, and would it then be disadvantageous to *not* have an internal staircase?
(Or is it only the staircase from the upper floor to the basement that is meant... but that surely goes through the ground floor, so there would be no connection anymore.)
Also, you would not be the first ones to take over the entire house after the parents-in-law move out at some point. Then it can become quite inconvenient to have to go to the fridge in pajamas.
For me, if reactivating the staircase is not an option, there are the following possibilities:
1.) Place the washing machine and dryer on the upper floor – consider this carefully, perhaps it can be nicely integrated right away, maybe even in the kitchen. When you are still in the planning phase, you have all options. Carrying laundry around *twice* is not an option.
2.) At least reduce the *twice-laundry-carrying* to once.
--> Plan a laundry chute that leads directly to the basement.
Core drilling, pre-building, and the shaft should cost around 3000 Euros (about 3,300 USD) I estimate.
Of course, this depends on the floor plans.
3.) Move out, but that has already been mentioned.
So, as I said: I see the biggest risk that the current living arrangement as a two-family house in this semi-detached unit will not always remain, and the removed staircase will be missed at some point.
Regards
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