ᐅ Decision for a Large Building Plot: Basement or Larger House?
Created on: 2 Oct 2009 22:24
L
LoboNr1Hello,
we have a plot of land measuring 820 m² (8,840 sq ft) where we want to build a house for two adults and two children. We are currently quite undecided about the basic concept and design. The options we are considering are:
1. A single-story house (around 160 m² (1,720 sq ft)), similar to a bungalow but with a regular roof that remains unfinished inside except for insulation, allowing for future expansion, since the plot is large enough.
2. A classic two-story house (ground floor with living room, kitchen, etc., and upper floor with bedrooms for parents and children plus a bathroom).
3. Building a basement.
4. Or making the house larger and skipping the basement.
Cost is obviously a key consideration in these options.
Is it cheaper to simply increase the house size by, say, 20–40 m² (215–430 sq ft) and avoid building a basement?
Is it actually more expensive to build everything on one level like a bungalow?
I would like to ask a construction company, but I don’t fully trust them since they might have a financial interest in one solution over another. :-(
It would be great if some of you could share your opinions and, especially, your experiences on this. Thank you very much!
we have a plot of land measuring 820 m² (8,840 sq ft) where we want to build a house for two adults and two children. We are currently quite undecided about the basic concept and design. The options we are considering are:
1. A single-story house (around 160 m² (1,720 sq ft)), similar to a bungalow but with a regular roof that remains unfinished inside except for insulation, allowing for future expansion, since the plot is large enough.
2. A classic two-story house (ground floor with living room, kitchen, etc., and upper floor with bedrooms for parents and children plus a bathroom).
3. Building a basement.
4. Or making the house larger and skipping the basement.
Cost is obviously a key consideration in these options.
Is it cheaper to simply increase the house size by, say, 20–40 m² (215–430 sq ft) and avoid building a basement?
Is it actually more expensive to build everything on one level like a bungalow?
I would like to ask a construction company, but I don’t fully trust them since they might have a financial interest in one solution over another. :-(
It would be great if some of you could share your opinions and, especially, your experiences on this. Thank you very much!
Don’t you have a planner?
1. You need to insulate everything that belongs to the building envelope.
2. Multi-story means: ceiling, stairs,... depending on the energy standard, there could be more requirements.
3.+4. If it’s a sloped site, it would make sense.
(Otherwise, see other basement discussions.)
1. You need to insulate everything that belongs to the building envelope.
2. Multi-story means: ceiling, stairs,... depending on the energy standard, there could be more requirements.
3.+4. If it’s a sloped site, it would make sense.
(Otherwise, see other basement discussions.)
parcus schrieb:
Don’t you have a planner? What/Who do you mean by planner? An architect? We don’t have one yet. Can they provide any information about costs? I don’t want to ask a builder since I don’t expect an objective answer from them...
1. + 2. Is the thermal insulation really that expensive??? Unfortunately, your two answers don’t tell me much.
3. + 4. The plot is completely flat. I don’t think a basement makes sense there... Or does it?
Hello,
yes, for example, an architect. Of course, they can advise you since they have relevant experience and will approach your project independently of your specific requirements. However, this already requires a bit more, for example, I only calculate costs starting with the preliminary design; before that, it is just an estimate.
Regarding point 1, it sounds to me as if you want to partially leave out thermal insulation initially. However, the issue of cost is again related to the energy standard of the house. You also can't just ask what lightweight alloy wheels cost for a car.
Regarding point 2, I will list some components that you additionally need for multi-storey construction. Strictly speaking, though, you haven’t even formulated a goal, meaning what you actually want.
Regarding points 3 and 4, no, a basement here is truly just a pure cost factor, unless you play drums,...
yes, for example, an architect. Of course, they can advise you since they have relevant experience and will approach your project independently of your specific requirements. However, this already requires a bit more, for example, I only calculate costs starting with the preliminary design; before that, it is just an estimate.
Regarding point 1, it sounds to me as if you want to partially leave out thermal insulation initially. However, the issue of cost is again related to the energy standard of the house. You also can't just ask what lightweight alloy wheels cost for a car.
Regarding point 2, I will list some components that you additionally need for multi-storey construction. Strictly speaking, though, you haven’t even formulated a goal, meaning what you actually want.
Regarding points 3 and 4, no, a basement here is truly just a pure cost factor, unless you play drums,...
LoboNr1 schrieb:
An important factor to consider, of course, is the cost.
Is it cheaper to simply make the house, say, 20-40m² (215-430 sq ft) larger and skip the basement?
Is it actually more expensive to build everything on one level, like a bungalow? Hello LoboNr1,
You have some great options there. A plot like that offers possibilities I would definitely take advantage of in your position. Living on one level is so comfortable that it’s worth the extra cost. If you skip the basement, that additional expense can be balanced out. With such a large basement area, in my opinion a basement doesn’t make much sense anymore. Nowadays, building services (even a heat pump with a large buffer tank) require hardly more than 6m² (65 sq ft). Of course, you’ll need to insulate the entire house (including the attic), but that’s how I understood your description anyway. If you make the house somewhat larger instead of building a basement, this mainly increases the volume, improving the ratio of interior volume to exterior wall area. So the extra wall surface to insulate won’t be that big. However, it also means a bigger attic. What would be the problem with using part of the attic as a “basement” space? There’s no real difference whether you carry dirty laundry upstairs and clean laundry down, or dirty laundry down to the basement and clean laundry back upstairs.
If the attic is later developed, probably for the children, this automatically frees up space on the ground floor for laundry and storage. The only thing I would keep on the ground floor is the building services area, unless you install a gas condensing boiler, which typically goes under the roof anyway. You’ll have to work out the details with an architect, which you’ll need regardless.
Best regards,
TomTom
Similar topics