base-ment or NO base-ment for house in Maine (Ellsworth: new home, water heater)

[boonelsewhere]

Our land in Ellsworth seem to have a lot of boulder, would this prevent us from have base-ment. What would be a typical base-ment room temperature in the winter(no heating). Have not live in the house with basement, could not have one in south Florida(water table is too high). cost/benefit and the typical usages in Maine.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

You need a basement. Typical temps would be 50 in the winter if it's unheated and uninsulated. In the summer it would be about 68 degrees. I belive basements should be insulated. Before you back fill you should put 2 inch styrofoam on the outside up to your intended ground level. That way you won't be trying to heat the earth. Concrete is a very good conductor of heat.

As to your boulders, use them in your landscaping plans. Boulders are portable in Maine.

[boonelsewhere]

thanks NMLM, we planed to use pre-cast concrete for basement walls, the foam insulation is build-in in the inside of the wall.
We just not sure about any equipment out there can move large boulders.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

No need to build where the biggest boulder is. If you can't move a boulder, dig a hole beside it and let it fall in. Just think of the rock garden you'll have.

[Coaster]

Basements aren't vital in new construction in Maine -- plenty of new homes and other buildings here are built on insulated slabs -- but it sure does help. Not only does it expand available room, it also provides a place for the furnace, heating oil tank, and hot water heater and room for all the water pipes where they won't freeze.

On resale, a slab will be looked at askance by anyone with time in Maine because the darn things can crack if not built perfectly. We looked at a home in Harpswell where the owners had tried to use carpet and drywall to hide the cracks in the floor and a below-grade wall in the back on the first floor. We passed, and found out a few months later that a heavy rainstorm had turned part of the first floor into a trout stream.

[boonelsewhere]

No need to build where the biggest boulder is. If you can't move a boulder, dig a hole beside it and let it fall in. Just think of the rock garden you'll have.

I have to remember this when work with the excavator.

but it sure does help. Not only does it expand available room, it also provides a place for the furnace, heating oil tank, and hot water heater and room for all the water pipes where they won't freeze.

hope the cost is not too prohibit to have it.

[BacktoNE]

I'll just say this. I would NEVER purchase a house without a basement.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by BacktoNE

I'll just say this. I would NEVER purchase a house without a basement.

Me either. Too useful of a space.

[msina]

I'm used to having a "cellah" as part of a house. Stairs are no longer my friends I would opt to build for myself a good slab foundation with radiant heat, a small ranch house and modest 2 car garage. One bedroom, large bath with laundry (in bathroom) and an open kitchen living area. Eighteen by twenty four should do it, ya think?

[AliceT]

I am afraid I am in the same boat as msina. Stairs are just a death trap for those of us with mobility issues. And something to think about - sometimes old age is the immobilizing factor.

If your intention is for this home to be yours forever and ever, you might be better off with an insulated and heated slab or even an insulated crawlspace and attaching insulated garages on both ends of the house. One for your cars and one for storage - as well as the previously mentioned water heater, furnace and such.

These are the things elderly people think of after they can no longer visit their basements.