There are quite a lot of projects which seem impossible. One of the foremost is adding a basement to an already-built house.
The reason is that creating a basement is one of the first things to be done when building a house. People often wonder if it’s feasible to build a basement in an already built house without damaging their house.
Building a basement beneath your already existing home is possible, although certain conditions must be met to prevent damage. It will also depend on the access you have to your property and the construction style of the existing house. Moving houses and building basements require the utmost care and should always be done by professionals.
There are several considerations you should look at before deciding on adding a basement to your house. It is a pretty hard job to do, with many processes and tasks involved.
Reasons for Adding Basements to Already Built Houses
The most common reason for adding a basement to your house is to increase the available living or storage space. If the space in your house isn’t enough and requires an increase, adding a basement is one of the remedies.
The normal solution to this problem would be adding to the house’s perimeter or adding a story. This activity provides easier and more effective ways to tackle the lack of space in your house. However, this is not possible in all circumstances so the addition of a basement is often a last resort.
Series of problems and issues could prevent you from using other methods of increasing space in your house. For example, limited plot space and the housing rules of that area could prevent you from utilizing more affordable and feasible methods of increasing space.
Factors to be Taken Into Account When Adding a Basement to Your Already Built House
Some factors you should consider are the existing house suitability, the construction cost, local building restrictions, the insurance on the house, and the timeline for completing the construction.
The Building Cost
Before you go ahead with the construction task, look at the cost. The cost determines the type and magnitude of the basement you would choose to build and which suits your capacity.
Building a basement in a house that has already been built could be 50% more costly than building in a new space. The reason is that it requires excavation and higher levels of effort than the latter.
It helps to get bids from different house building companies to determine which one you’d go with.
The House’s Insurance
While you work on the preliminaries on adding a basement to your house, you should always consider the insurance.
Talking to your insurance company about the necessities for special requirements may be a good idea. This helps make it more formal. The reason is that house insurance claims may be distorted if measurable changes to the house are not recorded and included in the agreement.
Therefore, the house’s insurance needs to be revisited and updated to cover the improvements on the house.
Timeline for Completion of Basement Construction
The time frame in which the construction of the basement is done helps understand how long it’ll take to put everything together. This is an important factor that needs consideration when it comes to constructing a basement in a house that has been built. Especially when you are living in the current house.
Local Building Regulations
Local building regulations are put in place to avoid indiscriminate construction activities which cause harm in the long run to your house, your neighbors house and the neighborhood. Therefore, while before considering adding a basement to your house, you should contact local development authorities to discuss what options you have.
These regulations and factors may prevent you from going ahead.
How Do I Move My House Before the Addition of a Basement?
To add a basement to an already built house may require slowly moving the house. Note that houses are moved by professional house movers who reinforce and brace the structure while moving it to prevent collapse. Some houses can be moved to cleared areas by the side, using pads and cranes.
There are options if moving the house to the side isn’t possible because of obstructions such as trees or other houses. This includes raising the house with Jacks and a crane several feet high, bracing it with blocks and tie-downs. This can be more energy and cost-effective in some circumstances compared to moving the house to another spot.
The whole aim is to provide the construction workers with enough space to excavate the basement and build it.