New House Construction Ceiling Height Poll

[Jadow]

Building a new house. Plans have 8' ceilings in the basement.

I'd like a little higher, I can go 8'4 for about $500 more.

Bumping up to 9' adds about $6000 in cost!

So simple question:

8' No added Cost
8'4 $500
9' $6000

Basement is pretty big, 1917 sq feet, about 1300 finished. One large room will be about 25 feet by 40 feet. Going to put a HT/ rec room in with a pretty big screen on one side, and eventually a bar in the back.

I am NOT a billionaire,millionaire, or half millionaire, but can afford it if I really want it, however that money could go other places too. The $6000 will mean an added $50 / month on the mortgage for 15 years,

edit, there really is no "they" I'm my own general contractor, just checked with the drywall guy what his added cost would be for each and checked with the concrete guy, lumberyard, and carpenter as well.

 

[Dirigible]

What will you use the basement for?
How big is it?
Are you a billionaire (if so, don't answer the first two questions and just pay the $6k)?

 

[IronWing]

Tell them you'll gladly pay the extra $6K if they absolutely, positively guarantee that the basement won't leak, ever.

 

[Jadow]

Tell them you'll gladly pay the extra $6K if they absolutely, positively guarantee that the basement won't leak, ever.

Well, pretty sure that won't happen, the soil is very sandy, good drainage, plus just to be extra safe, I'm putting drain tile in and a rubberized coating around the foundation. Also it's a walkout basement, so not as deep as a regular one.

 

[Sluggo]

For a basement, NO

Maybe 8-4, but I would bitch and moan until they threw it in free.

 

[iGas]

Go with 9' ceiling if you are going to spend time in it. Sound insulate the basement ceiling & double drywall ++ resbar to dampen sound for an entertainment room.

<-- had 9'4" ceiling on main floor, 9' ceiling on the upstairs, and 8'4" in the walkout basement (wished it were 9').

 

[Sluggo]

Where does the oddball 4" come from? Are they just giving you full 8 foot studs and counting the plates making it actually a 8'-4 1/2" ceiling?

 

[Jadow]

Where does the oddball 4" come from? Are they just giving you full 8 foot studs and counting the plates making it actually a 8'-4 1/2" ceiling?

They stack 3 2X6's on top of the base plate, the height of the sides of the 3 2X6's = a little over 4 inches.

It's a lot less than the 9' price because the 9' price adds a lot to the concrete bid because if you do a 9' foundation, the concrete has to be 10 inches thick instead of 8 inches.

 

[paperfist]

Do the mechanical stuff like duct work and plumbing get tucked up into the basement ceiling or do they hang it from the rafters?

 

[iGas]

Where does the oddball 4" come from? Are they just giving you full 8 foot studs and counting the plates making it actually a 8'-4 1/2" ceiling?

Pretty much so.

Standard precut stud length is 92 5/8" for 8' ceiling (true 8' board length is 96").

Standard precut stud length is 104-5/8" for 9' ceiling.

 

[Alone]

I voted for 9' because it'll cost you more money and I'm an asshole.

 

[iGas]

Do the mechanical stuff like duct work and plumbing get tucked up into the basement ceiling or do they hang it from the rafters?

Plumbing and duct work main hangs on the bottom of joists, however they can be tucked in between joists if it is possible. Sometimes it can be in the joists cut out but the joists must be wide enough to accommodate it as well as approved by engineers/inspectors.

 

[Drako]

What will you be using the basement for?

If it's just for a home theatre, stick with 8'.

 

[iGas]

They stack 3 2X6's on top of the base plate, the height of the sides of the 3 2X6's = a little over 4 inches.

It's a lot less than the 9' price because the 9' price adds a lot to the concrete bid because if you do a 9' foundation, the concrete has to be 10 inches thick instead of 8 inches.

In that case ask them what the cost of 10' basement would be so you will have room for mechanicals/ductwork (if you have them).

Mechanicals always is an oversight by architect, and they ended up cramping ducts/plumbing under the joist (full contact == more noise transfers), and lower the ceiling to a ridiculous height of 7'1"~7'3" just to pass code.

 

[paperfist]

Plumbing and duct work main hangs on the bottom of joists, however they can be tucked in between joists if it is possible. Sometimes it can be in the joists cut out but the joists must be wide enough to accommodate it as well as approved by engineers/inspectors.

Yeah that's what I was eluding to, no need to go crazy with 9' ceilings if everything gets tucked up nice and neat.

 

[iGas]

What will you be using the basement for?

Very likely entertainment room/man cave.

 

[iGas]

Yeah that's what I was eluding to, no need to go crazy with 9' ceilings if everything gets tucked up nice and neat.

9/10 times all mechanical stuffs must be under the joists.

 

[Jadow]

Plumbing and duct work main hangs on the bottom of joists, however they can be tucked in between joists if it is possible. Sometimes it can be in the joists cut out but the joists must be wide enough to accommodate it as well as approved by engineers/inspectors.

yup between joists, no big bulkheads or low sections

 

[Drako]

Very likely entertainment room/man cave.

8' or less to keep it more cave like

But seriously, unless you're tall, or you are going to have ping pong or pool tables down there, then stick with the 8'.