Scout
2019-07-29 09:32:06
- #1
In principle, the following applies to construction:
Civil engineering is always more expensive than building construction - assuming identical floors, so do not compare the first basement with the 21st upper floor. Clearly, because things like excavators, earth support, increased waterproofing requirements, distributing and possibly disposing of excavated material, and possibly groundwater pumps during construction are additional costs on top.
A basement is only cheaper than the identical surface area if its execution is not like that of the ground floor or top floor. So no plaster, small or no windows at all, lower ceiling height, no underfloor heating, comparatively rudimentary electrical installation. And of course, renouncing the two most expensive rooms in a single-family house: kitchen and bathroom. The relatively expensive heating system is calculated anyway as part of the "house project," an additional basement only possibly requires a slightly larger dimensioning of it. So it hardly costs extra.
Thus, the final m2 of basement ends up cheaper than the m2 in the top floor. But woe if we are talking about a real "living space basement," even as a granny flat, i.e. with proper plaster, underfloor heating, electrical distribution panel, kitchen and bathroom, "normal" ceiling height, lifting station, parquet flooring, and sloped walls for sufficient light and a second escape route. That will be more expensive than adding the same living space above ground! Please, if you have the space and can cover the land requirement or can disregard the land price.
But in the shell construction stage, a basement per m2 is always more expensive than the same m2 on the ground floor!
Whether you need it depends rather on the property. If it is large enough and flat, a decision in favor of a basement can only be explained by "tradition" ("Only a house with a basement is a house"). Otherwise, you should start calculating and be aware of the shortcomings of underground facilities versus above-ground ones.
PS: We have a basement. In a mid-terrace house incredibly practical.
Civil engineering is always more expensive than building construction - assuming identical floors, so do not compare the first basement with the 21st upper floor. Clearly, because things like excavators, earth support, increased waterproofing requirements, distributing and possibly disposing of excavated material, and possibly groundwater pumps during construction are additional costs on top.
A basement is only cheaper than the identical surface area if its execution is not like that of the ground floor or top floor. So no plaster, small or no windows at all, lower ceiling height, no underfloor heating, comparatively rudimentary electrical installation. And of course, renouncing the two most expensive rooms in a single-family house: kitchen and bathroom. The relatively expensive heating system is calculated anyway as part of the "house project," an additional basement only possibly requires a slightly larger dimensioning of it. So it hardly costs extra.
Thus, the final m2 of basement ends up cheaper than the m2 in the top floor. But woe if we are talking about a real "living space basement," even as a granny flat, i.e. with proper plaster, underfloor heating, electrical distribution panel, kitchen and bathroom, "normal" ceiling height, lifting station, parquet flooring, and sloped walls for sufficient light and a second escape route. That will be more expensive than adding the same living space above ground! Please, if you have the space and can cover the land requirement or can disregard the land price.
But in the shell construction stage, a basement per m2 is always more expensive than the same m2 on the ground floor!
Whether you need it depends rather on the property. If it is large enough and flat, a decision in favor of a basement can only be explained by "tradition" ("Only a house with a basement is a house"). Otherwise, you should start calculating and be aware of the shortcomings of underground facilities versus above-ground ones.
PS: We have a basement. In a mid-terrace house incredibly practical.