Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Construction & Renovation > Basement

Basement Cost


How Much Does a Basement Cost?

 
low costUnfinished Basement, New Construction: $10-$25+ a Square Footaverage costFinished Basement, New Construction: $30-$100+ a Square Foothigh costAdding Basement to Existing House: $30,000-$70,000+

A basement can add additional storage, workshop or living space to a house, especially where it isn't possible to expand out or up. Although traditionally residents of tornado-prone areas have been told to take shelter in a basement if a storm shelter is not available, a basement does not necessarily function as a good tornado shelter unless the basement has been designed and reinforced for that purpose.

Typical costs:

  • Including a basement as part of new house construction can increase the cost of the house by $10-$25 or more a square foot for an unfinished basement, or about $10,000-$50,000 or more for an average house; and $30-$100 or more a square foot for a finished basement, or about $35,000-$175,000 or more for an average house; with costs depending on location, soil conditions, the size and shape of the basement area (unique shapes with more than four corners cost more), the materials/finishes used and additional features like a bathroom or laundry hook-ups.
  • Adding a basement to an existing house can cost $30,000-$70,000 or more, depending on the size of the existing crawlspace or half-basement or if the house is on a slab foundation, and how much of the work is do-it-yourself and how much is done by contractors. Many experts (like Bob Vila[1] ) estimate that it is less expensive and less risky to build an above-grade addition or an addition with a basement, next to the existing structure. However, house-moving companies like Klier Structural Movers[2] in Ohio assert that adding a basement to an existing house is a cost-effective addition.
  • A basement alone does not guarantee safety during a tornado. Building a structurally-reinforced safe room area inside a basement (whichit can double as a closet, bathroom or utility room) can add $6,660-$14,300 or more to the total cost, depending on size (the number of people expected to take shelter within it), materials used and location within the basement. Having a prefabricated safe room (a welded steel box, a steel skeleton with steel planks or a prefabricated unit that is bolted together on site) installed in a basement can cost $3,000-$20,000 or more, depending on materials and size.
Related articles: Basement Remodeling, Basement Waterproofing, Flooded Basement, Repairing and Sealing a Basement, Storm Shelter, Home Addition

What should be included:
  • Constructing an unfinished basement typically includes excavation, footings, walls, a concrete slab floor, utilities, waterproofing, drain tile, back fill and cleanup. A finished basement typically includes all of that plus flooring, walls, ceilings, drywall, windows, and additional waterproofing and more in order to provide the desired living space. Overall, a basement adds about 3-4 weeks to the new-house construction schedule. A video[3] illustrates the excavation process.
  • In some areas a basement is not feasible because of a high water table or unusual soil conditions (particularly in coastal or marshy areas, or in many parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas); the cost of excavating through solid rock; or because there is frequent earthquake activity.
  • In colder parts of the country, a home's foundation must be below the frost line, which can require digging down several feet (typically about 2.5'-5', depending on location). In those areas, adding a basement during new house construction may require only a few more feet of digging to create a usable basement area. In warmer climates where the foundation does not have to be as deep (typically 18"-20" for a crawlspace or a few inches for a slab foundation), including a basement adds more to the total cost of the house because it requires a lot more additional excavation, far beyond what would be done without a basement.
  • Adding a basement to an existing house requires: building permits and engineering plans; raising and supporting the house; excavating the basement space (and hauling away the dirt); re-grading and creating new drainage; and pouring concrete footers, floors and walls. A video[4] illustrates the process using a skid loader.
Shopping for a basement:
  • For new home construction, work with the architect to include a basement in the house design and blueprints.
  • For a remodeling project that includes adding a basement (either under the existing home or as part of an addition being built), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry offers tips for choosing a contractor[5] .
  • If possible, get several estimates. Request and check references from previous customers. Verify that the company is properly insured, bonded and licensed. Request a written contract or agreement that specifies the work to be done and the rates to be charged.
post Post   Comments (1)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
25 x 22 family room addition and 20 x 20 mudroom addition
Amount: $115,000.00
Posted by: Samthedog in brecksville, OH.Posted: February 20th, 2016 07:02PM
Square Feet: 1000Finished or Unfinished:
Contractor: jm design build
came home from work today to find the deck of my addition was installed and when standing in the room the joist height is 6'5", quite a bit lower than expected, I have a 6'2" son and this was to be his room, any suggestions?
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With a Basement
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Square Feet: Finished or Unfinished: 
Contractor:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.bobvila.com/posts/11076-cost-effective-to-add-basement?page=1
  2.  www.klierstructuralmovers.com/basementaddsunderhouse.html
  3.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcs2LK8oEhs
  4.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRkKqHRH43I
  5.  www.nari.org/pdf/selectremodpro.pdf
More Home and Garden Topics
Check Out All Costs for Home and Garden How Much Does Replacing a Water Heater Cost? How Much Do Replacement Windows Cost? How Much Does a Storm Shelter Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost