If you have an extensive cellar, you may have asked yourself, how much does it cost to dig a basement? If you are looking to expand your living area, it may make economic sense to dig downwards. Turning a store room into another room or rooms will provide you with lots more space. But, digging a basement is not cheap and it is not without potential problems. Below we will look at the price of digging downwards to extend your home, and the pros and cons of basement extensions.
Digging your basement and turning it into living space can add 30% to the value of your home. In areas of London such as Fulham and Chelsea, basement extensions are big business and they are growing in popularity by the year. Before you start digging however, you should check that adding rooms underground will actually add to the value of your property. If you plan a new build with a basement, then this stage will not be required. Instead you should concentrate on finding a plot of land that is well-drained and suitable for building. Retro-fitting of your existing basement however needs some very careful investigation.
How Much Does it Cost to Dig a Basement : Are all Homes Suitable
Not all homes are suitable for digging a basement. Obstacles that might get in your way are a high water table, or main services that run underneath your property. The closer you live to a river, the less likely it is that your basement will be suitable for digging. There are also certain types of modern home that have raft foundations that cannot be underpinned. This means that adding a basement is not possible. A home that has a solid floor is also a difficult option for digging a basement, but this can be overcome. Good access for the excavation work is also a must. If you live close to a boundary, this could potentially stop your basement plans before you even get started.
Cavity Drain Membrane Systems
Until a decade or two ago, basements were just dug out and finished with cement. With no extra waterproofing, this type of basement would suffer from damp and also be susceptible to flooding. Modern basement are excavated and underpinned with waterproof concrete. The whole basement is also tanked on the inside and a waterproof membrane is covered with studs. This setup allows any water that may appear to be successfully pumped and drained away. If your basement has a pumping system, it will need servicing annually.
How Much Does it Cost to Dig a Basement : Planning Requirements
When working out the cost of your basement you will need to add planning permission if you are digging a basement as opposed to refitting an existing one. Check with your local planning authority to see if you need permission. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Your basement will need to meet building regulations. If you share a wall with your neighbour, such as in a terraced or semi-detached property, you will also need their written permission. If you will be using your new basement as living space, it will be required to have a fire escape.
The price of your basement refurbishment or digging can vary enormously. It will depend on all the factors mentioned above and more. The price rises steeply as you require more excavation work. You could spend as little as £75,000 or as much as £150,000. To roughly work out the cost, you can use an average price per square foot of £300. This price does not include VAT. The price per square foot will depend on the type of build. Just to waterproof a basement can cost up to 200 pounds per square foot.
How Much Does it Cost to Dig a Basement : Timescale and Pros and Cons
Once again, this will depend on the size of the project. As well as the project taking anything from 10 to 20 years, you will suffer disruption whilst any excavating work is being carried out. When it comes to weighing up the pros and cons of basement digging, there are many of both. You will not lose any external area of your property and you will add value to your home. Underpinning an older property will also make it more stable. Waterproofing your cellar will also make your home more energy efficient.
The cons of digging below ground are that although technology has improved in the last decade, it is a complex and noisy procedure. You will incur annual spending for pump inspections, and your new rooms may be dark and not have enough natural light to make them livable. Safety is always a concern, most especially when you share an adjoining wall with your neighbour. It is not a decision you should make lightly. It is a process, however, that will go more smoothly when you let Bristol Builders Network do the hard work of finding reputable and suitable contractors for the job.