Edgar 1080 Posted February 9 I'm making decisions on a new house that I'm having built. I've made most of my selections, but one just won't go away. Builder and realtor are encouraging a "nine-foot pour" for the basement -- nine-foot basement walls instead of eight-foot. It seems to me that eight-foot walls are stronger, place the basement floor one foot farther away from the water table, and $6000 cheaper. But I'm seeking input about any advantages that they might bring. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmlowz 105 Posted February 9 If you ever plan on finishing off the basement it will be a lot more spacious looking with 9 foot walls. Listening room, home theater etc Just my two cents 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iteachstem 189 Posted February 9 I would go 9' for sure. The extra headroom in the basement makes it feel so much more open. 6k over the many years you will be in the house is insignificant for the gains you will realize. Plus, heating and cooling costs really wont be significantly more due to it being in the basement. When I build my retirement home, I will have 10' ceilings in the basement! If your worried about going too deep, dig down to the same depth as you would with 8 foot walls, and just back fill 1' additional around the house with a nice easy slope for drainage. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar 1080 Posted February 9 7 minutes ago, rmlowz said: If you ever plan on finishing off the basement it will be a lot more spacious looking with 9 foot walls. Listening room, home theater etc Thanks. No plans to ever finish the basement -- great room on the main floor is 31x19 with 9' ceilings, and it's all mine. I only use the basement for storage and a small woodworking shop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar 1080 Posted February 9 9 minutes ago, Iteachstem said: I would go 9' for sure. The extra headroom in the basement makes it feel so much more open. 6k over the many years you will be in the house is insignificant for the gains you will realize. Thanks, but as I mentioned above, I don't "live" in the basement so I'm having trouble identifying exactly what those gains might be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmlowz 105 Posted February 9 then you just saved yourself 6k 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MookieStl 3029 Posted February 9 If you don't plan to use the extra height for yourself, the only advantage is resale. I would pay extra for a house with 9 ft clearance in the basement. Not sure it is worth an extra $6000 or tying up 6gs until you sell, but there you go. Looks like you already have your mind made up. Buy some nice speakers with the money and enjoy it. That is the type of answer you would expect from this forum, run with it. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar 1080 Posted February 9 22 minutes ago, MookieStl said: If you don't plan to use the extra height for yourself, the only advantage is resale. I would pay extra for a house with 9 ft clearance in the basement. Not sure it is worth an extra $6000 or tying up 6gs until you sell, but there you go. That's the most commonly cited reason. Honestly, I'm nearing retirement and kind of hoping that this house isn't resold until I'm in that great listening room in the sky. Quote Looks like you already have your mind made up. Buy some nice speakers with the money and enjoy it. I haven't completely made the decision, but the answers I've received here are more in line with my own thoughts. As for what to do with the money ... well, that's a difficult decision, too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigStewMan 19982 Posted February 9 3 minutes ago, Edgar said: As for what to do with the money ... well, that's a difficult decision, too. I'm pretty good at spending it if you need help. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dtel 29345 Posted February 9 9" would be really nice and as said would feel much bigger and be easier to do thing with. But like you said, you don't have any particular plans for it and would not use it much, then probably 8" is fine, it's not like that is shorter than normal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Max2 1307 Posted February 9 9 feet. 6K these days wont even buy a couch that makes the wife happy. You may spend the last 50% of your existence down there, I know I do. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iteachstem 189 Posted February 9 If you don't decide to do the 9' ceilings, definitely do an extra wide staircase to the basement! Straight shot, so much easier to move items up and down! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar 1080 Posted February 9 9 hours ago, Max2 said: 6K these days wont even buy a couch that makes the wife happy. That's why I don't have one. Wife, that is -- I have a couch. Quote You may spend the last 50% of your existence down there, I know I do. I certainly hope not! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shiva 2633 Posted February 9 Basement, what's that? Is that some east coast thing?😀 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JL Sargent 7413 Posted February 9 1 foot of basement wall is $6K. Maybe build it on a crawl space and save $50K? I know concrete is expensive these days, but that just seems like a lot for a foot unless it's a giant house. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJkizak 1386 Posted February 9 Don't ever build a crawlspace. Never, never never never. A crawlspace collects every bug and animal in the universe unless you concrete the whole thing. They dig nice holes under the footers to enter. You will pay 50K in hospital bills trying to do maintenance in a 3 or 4 foot crawl space. JJK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar 1080 Posted February 9 59 minutes ago, Shiva said: Basement, what's that? Is that some east coast thing?😀 Many years ago, I moved to California to go to graduate school. I told someone there that I had come from Missouri. He said, "Cool! I've always wanted to visit the East Coast." No, Missouri is a long, long way from the East Coast. It's one of those flyover states. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ceptorman 12297 Posted February 9 Save your 6k, you don't need the extra height. That seems a little high on the price for an extra 12". Are basements popular in your area? Around here, a 2000' basement, 8' height is around 40k. That's with a full drainage system inside and out, plumbed into an interior sump pit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ceptorman 12297 Posted February 9 7 minutes ago, JJkizak said: Don't ever build a crawlspace. Never, never never never. A crawlspace collects every bug and animal in the universe unless you concrete the whole thing. They dig nice holes under the footers to enter. You will pay 50K in hospital bills trying to do maintenance in a 3 or 4 foot crawl space. JJK What? Sounds like someone had a bad experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar 1080 Posted February 9 3 minutes ago, Ceptorman said: Are basements popular in your area? Around here, a 2000' basement, 8' height is around 40k. That's with a full drainage system inside and out, plumbed into an interior sump pit. Basements are almost universal here. A house built on a slab is pretty rare, and definitely detracts from resale value. This is tornado territory. Not as bad as Oklahoma (I've lived there, too.), but the threat is present. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
