Building with or without a basement - experiences

I could still be angry and say that with the "higher" prices for houses with basements, one still has to consider the deductions for the damp basements ...

I always wanted to have a house with a basement. Now I have one without. Instead of going downstairs, I just go upstairs ...

Nowadays, almost only houses without basements are being built here. And I think that the generation that "values" a basement is gradually dying out. People no longer keep anything. What is no longer needed is sold, given away, donated, or disposed of.

However, I also agree that houses whose only storage option is the 6m2 utility room definitely lose value. So a certain amount of storage space should be available. Be it in the form of a converted attic, a correspondingly large utility room, and/or a large garage – preferably with an additional room.

With us, the younger generation also values basements... we are definitely building one this year as well. Whether that has anything to do with being conservative, I rather don't think so. Besides a 10sqm utility room/laundry, we have a 10sqm pantry/wine cellar and 40sqm of additional living space in the basement. A basement that is dark and damp and only serves as a storage room is also a rather "conservative" view.

I think so too. My parents and parents-in-law seem to ask us every week whether we really don’t want to build a basement (both built with a basement).

It was quite simple for us: We couldn’t have afforded a larger plot with a bigger house on it. The basement was the cheaper option. Advantage of the basement: the house could be raised a bit (ground floor floor ~70cm above ground), which suits our taste better, and the house fits better into the surroundings. Incidentally, even during heavy rain, the surface water from the slope next door cannot run over our terrace...

By the way, even during heavy rain, the surface water from the slope next door cannot run over our terrace...

But into the basement instead? :-P

No, but it’s clear: when land prices are very high, and plots are small, you have to build upwards. If the development plan prohibits more than 1.5 stories, you just have to go downwards. The townhouses in the city center then also don’t have a basement, but instead go up to seven stories high...