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Hi, were planning on moving to LV in one to two years. We are coming from PA, and every house out here has a basement. If we are unable to find a house with a basement that we like, Is there a company out there that digs basements under existing houses. I know it can be done, but with undergoround utilites that may be a little tricky. I just don't think i would be able to live without a basement, plus it adds valuable living space if its finished.
It's generally not a common thing in the West, in newer construction, especially in earthquake regions. LV isn't known as one of those regions, but there is still the possibility of some shaking problems over time.
You will also not be able to find new tract home construction with such a thing. It's just not something that's generally sought in the area so the builders won't consider it.
I'm sure you can probably find someone to do it with new construction, although it might take some time to find someone with the knowledge and skills to do it right. What you will be left with is something that's not commonly sought and will likely have less value than back in your area. It might even make it harder to sell should the bulk of your buyers not be used to a basement or untrusting of the consturction.
If you're looking at digging a basement under an existing home, I would think twice about that one. At least, get some real professional help (architect and engineer) before listening to a builder. Most newer homes in the LV region are built on slabs, which I don't think will lend themselves too well to such a conversion. At best, I would think it would be extremely cost prohibitive.
The living space is also of less value, even in your area. This is something to consider when you're lookingat the modification costs you are considering. You know it is, and if you don't, just talk to a Realtor or Appriaser who assigns value to the space. Finished basement living area is worth nowhere near what above ground living space is valued.
I can imagine one benefit to a basement in a generally dry area as opposed to a wet area. It'll be harder to have water intrusion problems, mold, and musty smells so common with basements in wet parts of th country. Then again, when the monsoons come, you might end up being surprised with a basement pool when the drainage gets overtaxed.
Good luck finding such a thing. I expect that you'll be seeking a custom builder to get what you want.
Oh, one last thing. I have seen one house that is nothing but a basement in LV. There is no above ground living in the house. All the rooms are beneath the ground.
It is an older house, with old fashioned low ceilings. It's been showcased on various TV shows over the years, so maybe you've seen it.
That is the only house that I know about in LV with a basement. Maybe there are others, but I doubt that you'll find many, if any.
I know which house your talking about being all basement. I went to that house about 10 years ago as a worker. Very nice, it has an elevator, even a pool/spa in the basement! Other than it, I've never seen a basement in Las Vegas.
Hi, were planning on moving to LV in one to two years. We are coming from PA, and every house out here has a basement. If we are unable to find a house with a basement that we like, Is there a company out there that digs basements under existing houses. I know it can be done, but with undergoround utilites that may be a little tricky. I just don't think i would be able to live without a basement, plus it adds valuable living space if its finished.
You don't want a basement out here. They are not needed because the ground does not freeze (your foundation needs to be below the frost line or the house will be pushed up.
In the late 90's a few developers started offering basements as a sales gimmik. It did not last long. Basements are expensive to dig and if the builder hits calichi (not sure of the spelling - it is calcium deposits that are as hards a cement) it has to be blasted.
When I was looking at the houses with the basements I noticed that the price per foot for the basement was more expensive than having the area above ground. I.e. 700 square feet more for $50,000 or $40,000 more for the same square footage above ground (don't get excited, late 90's prices).
If you are in the market for $750,000 or more, there are several neighborhoods that are on 1/2 acre lots that have big houses and usually workshops, 4 car garages, etc. Utilities are pretty high though ($1,000/month for water and electricity in the summer).
It is not all that rare. Maybe 3 to 4% of the homes in Vegas have basements. Mormons often built that way.
Very common in large custom homes. Maybe 10%. America West also builds some of their large models with basements.
Almost certain to be a big house...There are small houses with basements but they are in the hens teeth class. I do know of one but you will have to buy it with 1.2 acres in the central city.
Consider an outbuilding as well. In some areas they are more common than basements.
It is not all that rare. Maybe 3 to 4% of the homes in Vegas have basements. Mormons often built that way.
Very common in large custom homes. Maybe 10%. America West also builds some of their large models with basements.
Almost certain to be a big house...There are small houses with basements but they are in the hens teeth class. I do know of one but you will have to buy it with 1.2 acres in the central city.
Consider an outbuilding as well. In some areas they are more common than basements.
I remember in looking an an American West home that was 5,000 ft with a basement on 1/2 acre in the northwest. Really nice floorplans. $55 per foot. What a deal. Even with options it was still around $350,000.
You don't want a basement out here. They are not needed because the ground does not freeze (your foundation needs to be below the frost line or the house will be pushed up.
In the late 90's a few developers started offering basements as a sales gimmik. It did not last long. Basements are expensive to dig and if the builder hits calichi (not sure of the spelling - it is calcium deposits that are as hards a cement) it has to be blasted.
When I was looking at the houses with the basements I noticed that the price per foot for the basement was more expensive than having the area above ground. I.e. 700 square feet more for $50,000 or $40,000 more for the same square footage above ground (don't get excited, late 90's prices).
If you are in the market for $750,000 or more, there are several neighborhoods that are on 1/2 acre lots that have big houses and usually workshops, 4 car garages, etc. Utilities are pretty high though ($1,000/month for water and electricity in the summer).
That is a bit high...unless older and 4000 SF or more. I would expect a modern 4000SF single in the 1/2 acre tracts built in the last 5 years to run under 600 for both.
Now if you got a jungle and maintain 70 degrees....
I've seen a few homes in Henderson with partial basements. It's not common in LV. I love basements and can't imagine why there aren't more of them.
When I lived in Utah, I got to watch my next door neighbor dig his own basement. Took him a couple years but he did do 8 ft ceilings. Turned out really nice but it was a lot of work. It was tricky keeping the house jacked up so it didn't collapse.
Digging a basement under an existing home in LV would be virtually impossible- the homes are built on slabs (most of them post-tensioned) and the slab supports the structure above. There would be no way to support the home while you excavated the basement.
You can dig a basement under a crawlspace home like in the Northeast, but doing so under a slab home would cost more than tearing the house down and starting from scratch.
The "Royal Highlands" development in Southern Highlands all have finished basements. Really nice homes.
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