So what's the deal with so few homes with basements? (Phoenix: new home, theater)

[urbex]

Not complaining, just genuinely curious. Having come from the midwest, where virtually every home had a basement, it was certainly a bit odd to come here and find that there are virtually no homes with basements. At first, I figured it was a sandy soil/support issue in Phoenix, but then I'm finding that a lot of homes are also without basements outside of the Phoenix valley.

Is it just a lack of demand? More people coming from other areas in the west where they are no so common, so it's not an expectation? Ground issues? Prohibitive cost?

[motormaker]

Maybe this old thread will answer some of your questions.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/arizo...s-az-have.html

[urbex]

Originally Posted by motormaker

Maybe this old thread will answer some of your questions.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/arizo...s-az-have.html

WTH...I just searched for both basement and basements in separate searches, and this didn't come up in either search!

Thanks though

[wit-nit]

I tried the web site motormaker recommended and it worked for me. All your questions can be answered there.

[Galaxie Girl]

Originally Posted by urbex

Not complaining, just genuinely curious. Having come from the midwest, where virtually every home had a basement, it was certainly a bit odd to come here and find that there are virtually no homes with basements. At first, I figured it was a sandy soil/support issue in Phoenix, but then I'm finding that a lot of homes are also without basements outside of the Phoenix valley.

Is it just a lack of demand? More people coming from other areas in the west where they are no so common, so it's not an expectation? Ground issues? Prohibitive cost?

It generally has to do with the frost depth. The frost depth is the depth below the top of the ground that the ground will freeze during the coldest part of the year. In some climates (like the midwest), that can be several feet below ground. To avoid frost heave, which will damage the structure as the freezing ground expands and pushes up on the footings, the bottom of the footings must be located below the frost depth. Since the frost depth in the Phoenix area is zero, they don't need to excavate several feet down to place the footings. However, in locations with deep frost depths, they must excavate to place the footings, and since it isn't cost-effective to backfill the area below the house, they leave it open, thus resulting in a basement area below the first floor of the house.

Obviously they could put in a basement if you wanted one, but it would cost a good chunk of money (excavation, retaining walls, etc.), but they just aren't really done because they aren't needed like they are in other areas.

Hopefully that all made sense and answered your question.

[Steve Pickering]

We had a basement at 200 South Mountain Avenue in Phoenix. Also at both Casa Grande houses and I put a basement in the one I built in Maricopa (Saddle Back Vista). So they are there, you just didn't find any. People forget you will get your money back in savings for cooling. A basement makes a great hot weather retreat. We didn't even have a swamp cooler at the Maricopa house or the South Mountain home.

[oldtrader]

For the price of a basement, in Phoenix you can have a much larger home on one floor and nicer. This is more important to most residents, than having a basement.

[jasper1372]

I've had the same question coming from the Midwest myself and having spent quite a lot of time in Phoenix over the years. I understand the frost depth issue, but given the premium land cost in the PHX area, and the small lots in many developments, it would seem to have made sense to put in more basements and make them into living space, home theater rooms, excercise rooms, work shops etc..., where no windows are needed and/or just plan storage.

We've built a few new homes here in Minnesota, all with basements, and we have several neighbors who've built "slab homes" without basements, the additional cost to add the basement, compared to the slab home isn't all that much different and you basically double the floor space under your roof which can be used for any number of uses. It's pretty cheap space when it all washes out.

Maybe there is a reason, other than the frost depth issue, that I'm missing ?

[wit-nit]

Building a home in Phoenix Metro areas in most cases will double the cost of the home. There are more living requirements for a basement here. They must be finished out completely. In a few cases you need to dynamite out the hole with the hardpan soil in some areas here.

[pokuku]

Homes are built more cheaply out here, generally speaking. Basements cut into the builder's profit margin...it's an easy thing for them to cut.

Also, didn't know about any requirement to have them fully finished. That raises the price even more.

Still, with the amount of high-end homes in the Valley, I would expect to see a decent amount.