Is a basement in a single-family house useful or rather too expensive?

A basement is unnecessary and costs 50-60k. It's just where junk ends up that gets disposed of after 20 years and that one thinks they might use somehow once. 2 children, etw, garden shed (10 sqm) and external storage room (8 sqm). Everything that has to go away is on eBay Classifieds. Parents have XXL garage/basement. They have to post 10 ads every few weeks because they found some unique item again

The lack of ability to keep things tidy is of course an extraordinarily good argument against a basement. I think then one would make a mess even without a basement.

Our storage room is in the basement, the smallest room with 9 sqm, and is still relatively empty. Everything that we maybe need 1-2 times a year ends up there. I don't like it when the drawers in the living room or kitchen are completely full.

The space issue is a good argument - but especially the gardening enthusiast will not want to do without a garden hut or ground-level access to gardening tools. Something bigger, protected against moisture and made frost-free, and you immediately have a small workshop...

Gardening tools have no place in my workshop either. For that, a tool room of about 15 sqm comes under the carport.

The lack of ability to keep things organized is of course an exceptionally good argument against a basement. I think otherwise you would clutter everything up even without a basement.

Our storage room is the smallest room in the basement with 9 sqm, and is still relatively empty. Everything we might need 1-2 times a year ends up there. I don't like it when drawers in the living room or kitchen are completely full.

Garden tools also have no place in my workshop. Instead, there will be a tool room of about 15 sqm under the carport.

Yes, I know, basement owners often talk about order. I have only seen 2 basements that looked tidy. The rest was just trash. The things stored in boxes with or without labels. My workshop consists of a drill / cordless screwdriver, a well-sorted screw / anchor assortment, and a small tool case. If I need special tools every 8 years, I borrow them from my father-in-law or the hardware store. They have everything! Recently bought a €140 stone saw because renting was just as expensive. It will soon be sold for €90. Purpose fulfilled. Oh yes, yesterday I needed a planer, searched like crazy and then bought one for €8.95. Today I found one by chance! Now I have 2! Made in China and bought online. No one needs to hoard anymore. Those who have workshops get annoyed because everything is lent out. To me

We don’t have a basement. We don’t need one either; there is enough space. On the ground floor, there is a separate, large workshop, laundry room, room for oil tanks, heating, and water pump. Additionally, next to the kitchen, there is a pantry on the north side (for the hordes of jars ). Other tools and equipment are stored in a shed; car-related items in a cabinet in the carport. Other storage items go up to the unfinished attic.

Generally, I think a basement is great. Mother-in-law has a normal basement, meaning dry and consistently warm all year round. Fabrics, clothes, party dishes, beer bench sets are stored there, and the laundry is done there as well. One room is the pantry with a freezer chest. Besides this normal basement, there is also a “traditional” cellar for storing apples, potatoes, and vegetables in the winter.

But I think it’s just like with many other things: there simply cannot be a universally valid recommendation. Everyone is different. Some people like to have a large pantry; others don’t even want to keep a pack of noodles at home in stock. Some like to have “everything ready” for bigger celebrations and parties; others prefer to rent the items from a party service when the time comes. Some have accumulated many tools and spare parts around the house; others rather call a craftsman. Some have extensive (winter) sports equipment, others don’t. Everyone really has to decide that for themselves.

I am sure that the vast majority here in the forum would not be happy living in and with our house – but that’s not meant for anyone else. Only for us. That’s why everyone has to set their priorities for themselves and honestly see how much space they need where and for what.

Yes, I know, basement owners often talk about order. I have only seen 2 basements that looked tidy. The rest were just trash. The stuff stored in boxes with or without labels. My workshop consists of a drill / cordless screwdriver, a well-sorted screws / dowels assortment, and a small toolbox. If I need special tools once every 8 years, I borrow them from my father-in-law or the hardware store. They have everything! Recently bought a €140 stone saw because renting it was just as expensive. Will sell it soon for €90. Served its purpose. Oh yes, yesterday I needed a plane, searched like crazy and then bought one for €8.95. Found one today by chance! Now I have 2! Made in China and online. No one needs to hoard anymore. Those who have workshops get annoyed because everything is lent out. To me

Yes, everyone understands something different by "workshop."

By your definition, a large drawer is enough. But, for example, a larger 3D printer or a CNC milling machine won’t fit in there, let alone a pillar drill. My wife would also be furious if I soldered at the kitchen table.

I think whether or not a basement is needed is quite an individual question.

The thread is so pointless. The OP had already made up their mind before writing the first post.

I planned with a basement and if I had a flat plot, I would have built without a basement too. There are few rational reasons for a basement. Either you want or need it or you don’t, period. What are you whining about here? Pure time waste.

Basements today are not like they used to be. When you build a basement, it is fully insulated with a floor and a room height of 2.50 m like the ground floor. Ideally with a light well, etc. Then the floor is not a dark storage room but fully usable living space.

Flat plot >800 m² and then I think I would build without a basement as well.