Calculation for a single-family house with 175m² living area, basement, and double garage

But we will go around in circles until I can finally estimate what the basement will cost me. As mentioned, I need to find that out.

However, it seems to come down to the following decision: 30-40 m² more living space (as storage/utility space) or a basement. I still tend to go with the latter. Realistically, I need 30-40 m² of "storage" and that will cost me, at the same reference size as in my other calculations (2,600 EUR per square meter), 78,000 EUR - 104,000 EUR and thus it becomes a zero-sum game. Clearly, one is living space (which ultimately is also given away somewhere because I don't actually need it in that form) and the other is purely utility space.
It would also be important for me to know in this context: Who actually has a basement among those who "advise against it"?
In my circle of acquaintances, almost everyone has taken the "no basement" option due to the high cost – it was never really up for discussion because it was too expensive. Many regret that today.
So far, I have never (?) met anyone who regretted building their basement afterward. I think it is a very conscious decision that, of course, one cannot/should/may not make (only) based on pure "cost-benefit" considerations.

Edit: 40,000 EUR for the basement was never really under discussion on my part. I originally calculated with 50,000 EUR, quickly corrected that to 65,000 EUR, and lastly talked about 80,000 EUR.

But I have the feeling that the longer the pure basement discussion lasts, the higher the numbers thrown into the ring become.

I have a basement. About 40% usable area and 60% living space, since the house is on a slope. Lighting comes to us from 2 sides. I also don’t fundamentally advise against a basement. I just consider your initial calculations for a basement to be far too low. As I said, I would calculate 100k for earthworks and landfill for an 80sqm usable basement. And under 80k I honestly can’t imagine it. And I find 80sqm usable basement for pure storage to be very wasteful. As already mentioned, if you are already building with a basement, I would also partially develop it as living space (e.g. office). A basement definitely has its justification. Especially with hillside houses or small plots. But then, for me, it must also bring added value beyond pure storage, e.g. with an office and thus "space relief" for the above-ground floors. But if you of course say, we need that much storage space (for whatever) then go ahead and build it. Just not for 50k.

I don't believe anyone wants to talk you out of your basement - you should simply make this decision based on a realistic basis. As I said, you just have to weigh how important the basement is to you and how much value it holds for you. If someone had told me beforehand how expensive one is, I simply wouldn't have given it a second thought. No one here wants to point you to anything more.

Hello Wormser

I built with a basement. Although I didn’t necessarily need one. For me, a house is only a real house when there is a basement underneath. A basement also significantly increases the resale value. And especially in Worms (I grew up in Worms). Sauna, craft cellar, safe room, these are all things I wouldn’t have been able to realize without a basement. Although I only had just over 40,000 euros in extra costs. And I took on the expansion myself.

Steven

If the basement is completely "underground," I also find conversion into additional living space rather difficult. I occasionally visit a friend whose guest room is in the basement. There is only a kind of light well. Honestly, I don't even find that nice just for sleeping there. Nothing has been said so far about the flatness of the property. The square meter prices for living space naturally include the "expensive" rooms (especially bathrooms). Additional purely built "rooms" should therefore be cheaper. Just as a comment on the discussion "basement vs. above ground."

And I don’t find the 20m² children’s room exaggerated.

Well... if you don’t have to do the math and just allow yourself 25 sqm, then it fits. Although nowadays we know that children and teenagers live differently than we (knew): the kids play at the contemporary parents’ place rather in the living room or in the garden when comparing house // apartment. The youth rather hang out on the bed or in front of the PC. Recently we learned here that the room is kept dark 24/7... the 20sqm can rather become dilapidated

I find 80sqm of additional usable space practical at first.

Practical, for hoarding, yes!

On the other hand, of course, it is also a "buffer" that could possibly be converted into additional living space at a later time. Naturally associated with cost/effort, but the possibility would be there from a perspective.

But you are not talking about the 80,000€ utility cellar, which you can neither easily convert into living space nor use as a lounge? When you expand, you’re back near 2,500€/sqm, here we’re talking about 1,000€/sqm utility cellar! =80,000€

Edit: 40 THOUSAND EURO for the cellar was never really under discussion from my side. I originally calculated with 50 THOUSAND EURO, quickly corrected upward to 65 THOUSAND EURO and lastly spoke of 80 THOUSAND EURO.

See above.

We have the "problem" that we are only allowed to build at most 1.5 floors (knee wall 60 cm). So in the current planning state, we would actually only have the cellar as a possible "expansion reserve".

Half floors don’t exist in building law. You are allowed to build one story plus an attic. That automatically results in an attic that can be generously developed with natural light. The space arises anyway - whether with or without a cellar - and has much more atmosphere than a cellar. You can do great expansions there, which is difficult in a cellar with cellar windows. For a “buffer” for living rooms, as you call it, the attic with a good pitch is better suited.

Who actually has a cellar, of those advising me against it?

I had one in the terraced house, even with an outside stairway - I was glad that we were building because it was clear to me: the eternal stair climbing up and down for laundry and supplies, I didn’t want that. I want my cleaning stuff quickly accessible.

Many are annoyed about it today.

Oh... they are older now... the older, the more annoying a staircase is. I don’t want to talk you out of this or that, but think a bit more about whether you are really aligned with your thoughts.