We are currently working with an architect on the preliminary design for a single-family home. The architect recommends a partial basement for cost reasons. The planned partial basement would have a floor area of approximately 57m2 (613 sq ft) and would include a utility room, laundry room, and an additional storage room that could possibly be used as an office or hobby room. In terms of size, this would be sufficient for us. A full basement would have an area of about 118m2 (1,270 sq ft). We do not want to completely forgo having a basement.
Here in the forum, I have often read that a partial basement saves little cost because expenses for foundations, etc., must be offset. According to the architect, however, these costs are minor compared to the additional expenses for excavation and removal of soil, walls/masonry, doors, electrical work, windows, light wells, finishing, and so on.
The architect estimates the cost of the partial basement at around 50,000 EUR. For a full basement, his calculation adds about 40,000 EUR more, totaling approximately 90,000 EUR, which seems quite high to me. However, this would still represent a potential cost saving in my view.
What is your opinion? Does anyone have experience with the costs of partial versus full basements?
Here in the forum, I have often read that a partial basement saves little cost because expenses for foundations, etc., must be offset. According to the architect, however, these costs are minor compared to the additional expenses for excavation and removal of soil, walls/masonry, doors, electrical work, windows, light wells, finishing, and so on.
The architect estimates the cost of the partial basement at around 50,000 EUR. For a full basement, his calculation adds about 40,000 EUR more, totaling approximately 90,000 EUR, which seems quite high to me. However, this would still represent a potential cost saving in my view.
What is your opinion? Does anyone have experience with the costs of partial versus full basements?
From a structural perspective, I would personally either build a full basement or no basement at all (i.e., a slab-on-grade foundation across the entire footprint).
With today’s construction methods, there is no longer a need for very large mechanical or utility rooms. A space of about 4 x 3 meters (13 x 10 feet) is usually sufficient, possibly as an extension on the north-facing wall with a small roof.
With a partial basement, overlaps can cause bending and cracks may develop due to the structural offsets and stress points. If you excavate a partial basement and don’t properly compact the gravel layers around it, the material can settle over time.
Personally, I would avoid building a basement altogether. Get rid of everything and don’t store anything anymore. The days of hoarding are over – in the future, you will have to pay around 5 euros (about $5) per kilogram of waste, so better dispose of everything that is no longer needed.
For storing tools and equipment, a room of about 3 x 4 meters (10 x 13 feet) is enough. As you get older, you won’t need many tools anyway.
I plan to get rid of my car when I retire, since it becomes essentially useless. Similarly, repair costs will be eliminated. It’s better to use trains and buses — across Europe and beyond!
With today’s construction methods, there is no longer a need for very large mechanical or utility rooms. A space of about 4 x 3 meters (13 x 10 feet) is usually sufficient, possibly as an extension on the north-facing wall with a small roof.
With a partial basement, overlaps can cause bending and cracks may develop due to the structural offsets and stress points. If you excavate a partial basement and don’t properly compact the gravel layers around it, the material can settle over time.
Personally, I would avoid building a basement altogether. Get rid of everything and don’t store anything anymore. The days of hoarding are over – in the future, you will have to pay around 5 euros (about $5) per kilogram of waste, so better dispose of everything that is no longer needed.
For storing tools and equipment, a room of about 3 x 4 meters (10 x 13 feet) is enough. As you get older, you won’t need many tools anyway.
I plan to get rid of my car when I retire, since it becomes essentially useless. Similarly, repair costs will be eliminated. It’s better to use trains and buses — across Europe and beyond!
S
Sebastian791 May 2015 13:02Yes, right... creepy figures sometimes stop by here
Lexmaul79 schrieb:
Yes, sure... creepy characters sometimes stop here Their nickname says it all...
No arguments, just spam posts for a few months now...
Don't you have anything better to do?
S
Sebastian791 May 2015 16:37No, it’s all overrated – you don’t need that anymore as you get older.
Oh, and arguments? Do weird future visions really count?
Oh, and arguments? Do weird future visions really count?
Lexmaul79 schrieb:
No, it’s all overrated – you don’t need that anymore when you’re older.
By the way, arguments? Do strange visions of the future really count?Good day, Lexmaul79.
You seem to be somewhat of a "funless" person to me….. ?
...
(it should be taken lightly)
ps. Cork flooring is no longer installed these days! Generally
In my experience, when entering retirement, you suddenly need a lot more tools and hobby space (of course, the now empty children's rooms come into play), and the car also gets used more regularly again.
Putting this aside, I cannot understand why a full basement should cost 40k more than a partial basement. The slightly increased amount of concrete for the side walls and floor slab cannot justify that. The shell construction cost for the entire basement is almost less. Of course, if the architect includes a full interior finish for living space with high-quality fittings, the price difference might make sense. My gut feeling tells me that this creates a nice source of construction defects and future damage, especially since nowadays buildings are no longer constructed with flexible thick mortar joints and solid, soft clay bricks, but rather with hardened blocks that are essentially glued together directly.
Putting this aside, I cannot understand why a full basement should cost 40k more than a partial basement. The slightly increased amount of concrete for the side walls and floor slab cannot justify that. The shell construction cost for the entire basement is almost less. Of course, if the architect includes a full interior finish for living space with high-quality fittings, the price difference might make sense. My gut feeling tells me that this creates a nice source of construction defects and future damage, especially since nowadays buildings are no longer constructed with flexible thick mortar joints and solid, soft clay bricks, but rather with hardened blocks that are essentially glued together directly.
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