Crawl Space to Walk Out Basement Conversion (Charlotte, Ruth: apartment, refinance)

[RuthieKate]

We have a very large crawl space that is at least 7-8 feet high in most areas, although there is some sloping of about 2 feet or so. According to our neighbors, it would have only been another $10K to put in the basement rather than the crawl space at the time of building. Does anyone know of a construction company and/or foundation experts that have done a project like this who could give us an estimate?

[Sean_CLT]

My dad simply dug his crawl out himself, and laid gravel and a drain for cheap.

I think you could hire a mason to put some non-load-bearing concrete block walls up for $3000 or so, if you want to enclose the space and don't mind the gravel floor. Add a few thousand more to lay concrete and a drain if you want a better surface.

[LiLShorty4lyfe]

Originally Posted by Sean_CLT

My dad simply dug his crawl out himself, and laid gravel and a drain for cheap.

I think you could hire a mason to put some non-load-bearing concrete block walls up for $3000 or so, if you want to enclose the space and don't mind the gravel floor. Add a few thousand more to lay concrete and a drain if you want a better surface.

I don't know that your solution is actually considered a basement. To me a basement is a safe place to go during extreme weather. We have a very large crawl space and I have been wondering this myself. My husband on the other hand, suggested something similar as above, but realistically that does not create the strength and secuirty of a basement. I would think the two are completely different structurally. I will be following this in hopes of learning what it takes to convert a crawl space to a basement.

[brokensky]

Our crawl space is very similar, and on a slope. Just a shame that a basement was not included. This was custom built home and I have always wished I could talk to the original owners (the house had been sold once previous to our buying it) and ask them why the heck they went to all the trouble of the custom upgrades and yet didn't include a basement. Perfect lot for a beautiful garden level basement with patio!

I have assumed it would just be waaaay too expensive and messy to get into a modification at this stage of the game but it is something I am very curious about (adding a basement).

[Charlottean]

A neighbor of ours is doing it. They literally started working two days ago. The cost is around $125K with the finishes they chose. There are way too many variables for you to get an internet quote. Square footage, difficulty, soil, grading are just the start.

[south.charlotte&union]

Also make sure to pull a permit (or make sure your licensed contractor does) if you are making any structural changes.

[RuthieKate]

Originally Posted by Charlottean

A neighbor of ours is doing it. They literally started working two days ago. The cost is around $125K with the finishes they chose. There are way too many variables for you to get an internet quote. Square footage, difficulty, soil, grading are just the start.

Are they finishing the basement at the same time? Do you mind letting me know which company they are using?

[cltlilly]

There is a house down the street that had something like this done. It's a lot more expensive do it after the fact. The problem that particular homeowner has now is that he went to refinance to get a lower rate, and found, those costs did not appraise out and now he owes more on the house than it's worth.

[michaelnc]

Originally Posted by RuthieKate

We have a very large crawl space that is at least 7-8 feet high in most areas, although there is some sloping of about 2 feet or so. According to our neighbors, it would have only been another $10K to put in the basement rather than the crawl space at the time of building. Does anyone know of a construction company and/or foundation experts that have done a project like this who could give us an estimate?

Hey, can you give us any updates on the basement situation? We just recently purchased a house ourselves, and although I absolutely love the house, I keep wishing that we had a basement.
Thanks.

[vmaxnc]

In my experience a walkout basement is a completely finished floor that is much like an entire apartment, or gameroom/bedroom/office, or some other combo of rooms that isn't part of the usual complement.