I'm frequently asked by buyers if choosing to build a basement is a good idea. I have a couple of different answers for them....
1. Yes! If you really want a basement because it's great footage for you (rooms for kids to play, recreation space, tv or theater room) then by all means, you should build it!
2. If you're trying to save money and think that building underground vs. going up is more cost effective, then consider skipping it.
I've been told, by my builder friends, that in Boise, building a basement isn't as cost effective as some would like to think. Now, if you are building on a homesite with a natural slope that dictates having a daylight basement, then that might be a smart idea. However, if you are just digging down, to get the basement space, it may cost a little more than you'd expect. Our excavation costs in Boise are still higher, comparatively, than they are in some areas like Colorado where basements are commonly found. The reasoning behind this, is that in Colorado, due to the weather and code, builders are required to dig pretty deep for a foundation. This excavation is already factored into the cost of building the home, so adding a few more feet to make a full basement doesn't add that much to the overall price. In our area, builders aren't required to dig down more than a couple of feet for the foundation, so in order to add enough additional depth for a full basement, the costs seem much higher.
I am a huge fan of basements. I've always wanted one to stage as a great recreation space for my family. Given the right circumstances, I'd like to try and build a basement the next time around. A basement would definitely fit my family's lifestyle, and as you know, I'm a huge fan of living according to your lifestyle.
If you are contemplating a basement, and cost is your only concern, make sure you talk to your builder about the pros and cons of building up vs. down. You may be surprised.
No matter what....have fun building!
Kit Fitzgerald
Red Barn Real Estate
www.redbarnrealestate.com