Get a basement or not.

[kgokal]

I'm toying with the idea of adding a basement to a new house im getting built.
Some considerations:
1) Staying 5-10 years
2) $30k to add
3) No finishing plans as of now.

Question is what will it add significant value when time comes to sell.
Is a basement a desired attribute for homebuyers in the coming years?
Are their any additional costs associated with maintainence of a new basement.
How much would it cost to finish it, and would my layout be desirable to others.

 

[KK]

yes, get the basement.

 

[Electric Amish]

Yes get a basement.

Put your bedroom in the basement. It's much nicer in the summer.

The finishing costs all depend on size.

 

[imported_LoKe]

I say go for it.

 

[Thraxen]

Another vote for a basement. I don't currently have one, but would love to.

 

[NTB]

Considering where you live, it may not be a bad idea. Around here (St. Louis and surrounding areas) I wouldn't build a house w/o a basement, considering the number of Tornados we have every year.

Nate

 

[Quasmo]

Basements add ALOT to the value of a home, you'd get that 30k almost imediately back. Basements = blank slate, so for the next potential buyer if you dont finish it, it allows them to customize part of the house just for them.

 

[spidey07]

a good many people won't even look at a house without a basement. So I would believe you would severely limit potential buyers.

 

[jadinolf]

I would love to have a basement.

Go for it.

 

[Pikachu]

I would kill for a basement, but the water table around here is so high, I'd be paying an extra $100.00 per month to pump the water away!

 

[kgokal]

Any current basement owners. are they any issues that come up?

Electric Amish, So basement is cooler in Summer? Never knew that?

 

[acemcmac]

Definitley

 

[Homerboy]

yes get a basement
even if you don't plan on finishing it, make it "finishable"
ie: have plumbing for 1/2 bath roughed in, electrical, plubming etc all tucked into joists and ceiling height proper so it CAN be finished by you (or the next owner) properly.

 

[Homerboy]

Electric Amish, So basement is cooler in Summer? Never knew that?

Ummm yeah.... like a cellar? Basement is underground, minimal sunlight = cooler.

 

[kgokal]

Yeah it comes with plumbing, electrical is the question.
Probably extra to get power run down there..

 

[Conky]

Basements are great. :thumbsup:

I keep my backup system in the basement and when it's hot out, like now, it is so nice to be down there. My basement is 5 separate rooms... a laundry room, a couple storage rooms, a workshop, and another large living area.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: kgokal
Yeah it comes with plumbing, electrical is the question.
Probably extra to get power run down there..

Definitely get the power run down there even if it's extra. Even if you never finish it the next buyer may want to turn it into a game room, home theater, whatever... lots of good uses for a basement.

 

[olds]

Hell yes.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: kgokal
Any current basement owners. are they any issues that come up?

Electric Amish, So basement is cooler in Summer? Never knew that?

A basement can get you 5-10 degrees cooler in the summer.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Originally posted by: kgokal
Yeah it comes with plumbing, electrical is the question.
Probably extra to get power run down there..

Definitely get the power run down there even if it's extra. Even if you never finish it the next buyer may want to turn it into a game room, home theater, whatever... lots of good uses for a basement.

You should have full power and plumbing connections (for a full bath) in the basement. It will probably only add an extra $1-2k but will save many times that for whoever finishes it in the future.

 

[kgokal]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Originally posted by: kgokal
Yeah it comes with plumbing, electrical is the question.
Probably extra to get power run down there..

Definitely get the power run down there even if it's extra. Even if you never finish it the next buyer may want to turn it into a game room, home theater, whatever... lots of good uses for a basement.

You should have full power and plumbing connections (for a full bath) in the basement. It will probably only add an extra $1-2k but will save many times that for whoever finishes it in the future.

Builder only offers electrical upgrades to basement.

 

[michaels]

Wow I had no idea a basement cost so much extra.

 

[amicold]

Originally posted by: kgokal
Any current basement owners. are they any issues that come up?

Electric Amish, So basement is cooler in Summer? Never knew that?

Stays cool in the summer, and nice and warm in the winter. Definitely get a basement for yourself.

 

[Queasy]

My wife didn't want a basement for our first house. I compromised with her. She ended up regretting it and wishing she had a basement. We know have a basement.

Get a basement. Totally worth it.

 

[IAteYourMother]

yes, basements are awesome