Are you thinking about expanding your living space at home? Do you want to add another floor but don’t want to add another one up?
Why not try digging underneath your house and turn it into another entertainment room or workspace? A basement might be all you need.
Digging out a basement at home has become a more popular renovation idea among homeowners today. In the United States, finished basements are now a rising trend, especially in large houses.
Read on to find out more about having a basement at your home and how digging one can benefit you moving forward.
Things to Consider Before Digging Out a Basement
Careful planning is key to a safe and lively underground space. Consider this checklist before starting your basement excavation.
1. Check Your Property Plan
Consult an architect regarding the plan of your house and get advice on how low your underground room can go.
Some property plans might have a lower ground floor already, which requires less excavating, while others might be prohibited to excavate anything at all.
Getting an expert’s advice could also help you create concrete plans for your basement project and how you can align it with your budget.
2. Get Permissions
A full basement excavation project needs planning permission from local authorities. Consult them first before digging anything underneath to avoid any unwanted damage fees.
3. Check Your Budget
A basement conversion can cost you more than a loft renovation. Consider how much improvements would fit with your estimated budget.
The cost of basement excavation for new construction can go from $12,000 – $36,000, or $10-20 per square foot.
On the other hand, the cost of digging underground under an existing house amounts to an average of $40,000-50,000, or about $47-100 per square foot.
4. Make Sure It’s Dry
If you would build a whole new foundation wall, you’ll most likely not encounter difficulties in creating an effective waterproofing system.
However, if you would choose to keep your existing foundation, you’re more prone to experience issues in waterproofing your basement.
Get a damp-proofing expert’s advice to make sure you’ll feel warm and dry in your basement room.
5. Your Lighting
Would you live in a gloomy and dark basement room? If not, then choosing the right lighting is needed when planning for a better basement.
Some good lighting options include track lights between the joists, pot lights in the ceiling, and full-size windows and sliding doors for natural light.
Other elements that can affect the brightness of your basement are the color of the walls, door types, flooring, plants, and other furniture.
How Long Does It Take to Dig a Basement?
The excavation for a foundation can take from 3 days up to 3 weeks. In some cases, pouring concrete footers is needed before working on the foundation, and this may take you 2-4 weeks.
The basement conversion process, including the construction and waterproofing stage, may take anywhere from 8-20 weeks, depending on size and other factors.
Consult an Excavation Expert Now!
Basement excavation needs appropriate planning, building, and adherence to safety regulations and codes.
An excavation expert can help you throughout these complicated processes to ensure you a danger-free, warm, and worthy underground space.
Aspire Construction Group is here to help you with your excavation needs!
Before you dig anything underground, make sure to give us a call first to experience our first-class excavation services.
Are you planning to get your own underground space soon? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!