House with basement or without?

We initially planned without a basement due to the costs. Above ground, rooms are also inherently more attractive than underground. However, the plot of land turned out to be smaller, and we want and have to build with a flat roof, so storing space under the roof is out of the question. Basement replacement rooms usually ruin floor plans in my opinion, so I now find it a relief not to have to consider them above ground. We are placing two offices downstairs with the corresponding excavation. The additional cost compared to the plan without a basement should therefore (presumably) be manageable; in return, besides the spacious offices, we gain about 45 sqm of additional usable space. A basement is rather individual. If I only needed it for usable space and had a pitched roof, I would rather do without it. Where I don’t agree is the possibility of a replacement room outside the house; in my opinion, that is just patchwork for a situation that could be avoided through planning (and possibly basement construction).

you described and justified it exactly the way I would have

those who don’t need several square meters for their hobby or don’t have to put living spaces in the basement for space reasons (towel property etc.) can certainly do without a basement if there is enough basement replacement area and discipline when throwing things away

For 1000m2 and more, a building without a basement may make sense, but everything below that is, in my opinion, too small to still have a nice large garden...

I am also an advocate of the basement. It is more convenient to go downstairs to get Christmas decorations, and the fitness room and building services also have enough space downstairs. If I had to build anew, however, it would probably be omitted due to the high costs involved.

that's exactly the point, you have to assess the cost/benefit ratio for yourself. and I'm not a fan of a too big garden (just work) and I don't think much of decorations either (you have to dust them, they get in the way, take up space, cats knock them down, etc.), I have a moving box with seasonal decorations, that's enough

We built with a basement and would not want to do without it. Boiler room, server room, storage room (which also keeps the drinks stored there nice and cool in summer) and hobby room are easily accommodated there. In our region, building without a basement is almost unthinkable and would also reduce the resale value. However, this varies from region to region and building with or without a basement is definitely a matter of belief.