Hello everyone,
We have finally found a plot of land that we really like in terms of location, size, and price. Unfortunately, it has a slight slope. We originally planned to build only with a slab foundation because the plots are more expensive than expected and, of course, our budget is limited.
My question now is: Would it be possible to build on this plot (see attachment) using a slab foundation? The plot extends all the way to the edge of the curb.
My idea was to keep the parking space at street level, aligned with the neighbor’s retaining wall blocks, and then create a kind of embankment from the street down to the house so that the house would be 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) below street level (if even that much would be necessary). The embankment could be planted as a front garden, and a staircase could lead from the parking space down to the house entrance.
The alternative would be a walk-out basement, since we want to have level access to the garden, but that will probably be quite expensive.
What do you think would be sensible and feasible in this situation?
Thank you in advance.
The Wüstlings
We have finally found a plot of land that we really like in terms of location, size, and price. Unfortunately, it has a slight slope. We originally planned to build only with a slab foundation because the plots are more expensive than expected and, of course, our budget is limited.
My question now is: Would it be possible to build on this plot (see attachment) using a slab foundation? The plot extends all the way to the edge of the curb.
My idea was to keep the parking space at street level, aligned with the neighbor’s retaining wall blocks, and then create a kind of embankment from the street down to the house so that the house would be 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) below street level (if even that much would be necessary). The embankment could be planted as a front garden, and a staircase could lead from the parking space down to the house entrance.
The alternative would be a walk-out basement, since we want to have level access to the garden, but that will probably be quite expensive.
What do you think would be sensible and feasible in this situation?
Thank you in advance.
The Wüstlings
G
Gartenfreund22 Jan 2018 05:17I would build with a basement. As much as possible, you can partially recover the costs through your own labor. Also, a basement doesn’t necessarily need to have perfectly finished interior surfaces. So, you can skip plastering the walls.
You will also need to remove some of the earth anyway. That way, the basement excavation is already done.
If you build the house below street level, heavy rain at the start could cause your living space to flood. A basement can be built to prevent water from entering.
I wouldn’t do that. We experienced firsthand how quickly someone can end up in a wheelchair, and a staircase is the last thing you want then. I’m not wishing this on anyone, quite the opposite. I just want to point out something you don’t usually consider.
You will also need to remove some of the earth anyway. That way, the basement excavation is already done.
If you build the house below street level, heavy rain at the start could cause your living space to flood. A basement can be built to prevent water from entering.
Wüstling schrieb:
from the parking spot down to the house entrance a staircase.
I wouldn’t do that. We experienced firsthand how quickly someone can end up in a wheelchair, and a staircase is the last thing you want then. I’m not wishing this on anyone, quite the opposite. I just want to point out something you don’t usually consider.
H
HilfeHilfe22 Jan 2018 07:36A basement costs around 60,000 (60k) either way. Without a basement!
H
Hesse-Bub22 Jan 2018 10:14Hello Wüstling,
We had a similar challenge and question as you, but our plot of land is even more "extreme."
We decided to build a basement, but for now we are leaving it in the bare structural shell and plan to finish it ourselves later.
Currently, our living area is on the ground floor, and the bedrooms are located on the upper floor. A balcony on the ground floor facing the garden is also planned.
In the basement, there is the utility room and a storage room, plus an additional room facing the garden. This room will later provide access to the garden terrace and is intended to offer a covered area for garden furniture, a grill, and so on.
We had a similar challenge and question as you, but our plot of land is even more "extreme."
We decided to build a basement, but for now we are leaving it in the bare structural shell and plan to finish it ourselves later.
Currently, our living area is on the ground floor, and the bedrooms are located on the upper floor. A balcony on the ground floor facing the garden is also planned.
In the basement, there is the utility room and a storage room, plus an additional room facing the garden. This room will later provide access to the garden terrace and is intended to offer a covered area for garden furniture, a grill, and so on.
Hello everyone,
thank you for your previous replies.
@Hesse-Bub and @Gartenfreund: as mentioned before, we want to be able to access the terrace from the living room/kitchen, so the basement would have to be completed and also look nice by the time we move in.
Instead of stairs leading from the parking space down to the main entrance, a pathway could also be created.
When I hear about €60,000 for a finished basement, I wonder if, given the slight slope, it might be possible to build a partial basement. So, basically, only fully finish the small part embedded in the slope and build the rest as a regular masonry structure? Because for the exposed parts, you would save on the necessary wall insulation against moisture from the ground. Is that correct?
Of course, we will discuss this with the architect, and a soil survey hasn’t been done yet. But before we purchase the land, we wanted to get an idea of the cost if we actually had to build with a basement. I’m not familiar with this at all.
Best regards
Wüstling
thank you for your previous replies.
@Hesse-Bub and @Gartenfreund: as mentioned before, we want to be able to access the terrace from the living room/kitchen, so the basement would have to be completed and also look nice by the time we move in.
Instead of stairs leading from the parking space down to the main entrance, a pathway could also be created.
When I hear about €60,000 for a finished basement, I wonder if, given the slight slope, it might be possible to build a partial basement. So, basically, only fully finish the small part embedded in the slope and build the rest as a regular masonry structure? Because for the exposed parts, you would save on the necessary wall insulation against moisture from the ground. Is that correct?
Of course, we will discuss this with the architect, and a soil survey hasn’t been done yet. But before we purchase the land, we wanted to get an idea of the cost if we actually had to build with a basement. I’m not familiar with this at all.
Best regards
Wüstling
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