ᐅ House with or without a basement? – Experiences

So, when deciding whether to have a basement or not, the financial aspect plays the biggest role, as a basement costs roughly twice as much as a regular floor. This is due to the thicker walls and external insulation, which add up significantly. Additionally, construction also takes longer.

We faced the exact same question about half a year ago. But before you can answer it, you first need to be clear about which rooms you actually need in your future home. Personally, I consider it a waste to build a basement solely as a utility cellar. Nowadays, there is no need for a traditional "potato cellar" anymore. Garden tools and similar items can be stored well in a garden shed or a large garage, the washing machine can go in the utility room, and other items you might only need once a year can be kept in the attic.
However, if the basement is intended to create additional (required) living space, then it makes good sense to build one.
The type of plot also plays a big role. For sloped land, a basement is advisable purely for structural reasons. For flat land (like what we have), the costs for excavation are extremely high, so you should seriously consider alternatives to a basement (see above).
In the end, it always comes down to money. If you want a hobby room or music room, you have to be able to afford it as well. If it’s not worth the money to you or you can only just afford it, then you will have to do without this extra “luxury,” even if it’s difficult...

--> By the way, I also know from personal experience that so-called hobby rooms, party basements, etc., which you once considered absolutely necessary, quickly lose their appeal and are usually hardly used after a few years anyway...

First of all, many thanks for your numerous helpful posts. Your arguments have helped me decide in favor of having a basement.

And please don’t laugh, because you are absolutely right, parcus, the drum set is definitely among the instruments I play. However, I also play flute and bassoon, which one might usually expect from a woman.

Okay, there is one point that remains absolutely crucial for me: I want a completely dry basement that never becomes damp. If I store my bassoon down there, it must not warp just because the basement is slightly humid. Does anyone have the optimal solution or arguments for and against various options?

A friend of ours, an architect, will visit this weekend to explain the pros and cons in detail. I’m already grateful for your ideas and experiences so I can discuss them with him right away. I look forward to your posts.

Best regards,
Sandra

Hello Sandra,

Moisture is not an issue with proper planning and execution.

*laughs, sorry, actually it is, because I currently have clients with a drum set.

It’s really intense; I didn’t expect that.

Best regards

Hello, I’m back again. After spending two weeks on vacation with the whole family, I can finally post again.
By the way, we also spent a day in my old hometown Berlin and went to a home building exhibition there. We found an exhibitor who specialized only in waterproofing, and they explained to me how different types of seals work. It was about a basement waterproofing system that uses a sort of liner installed continuously around the house. Does anyone here have experience with this? I really need to unpack my suitcase first, then I can share more information here.

Kind regards
Sandra

Hello,

a link would be helpful. There are different options.

Best regards