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I'd go with the basement - not sure what the market is like in OH, but it's definitely a resale factor in WI. Plus, the storage will be nice, as will the extra space in a few years. If you're planning on having kids, an unfinished basement is a great place to banish them for a few hours (they can roller skate and make all sorts of ruckus).
I would do a basement. It increases the value of the house as you mentioned, and makes it more appealing to buyers if/when you sell it. Also, it's better if there's a tornado if you have a basement.
I'd definitely go with the basement if it is doable with your budget.
I agree with the basement. Otherwise you don't have a place to put large storage things (i.e. bikes in the winter), and they end up taking up space in your garage. We have a full basement, so I don't even plan on using our crawlspace (which is creepy). I mean, don't kill yourselves, but I have a feeling that if you don't, you'll be irritated with yourselves in a few years wondering why you built your "dream" house but left out such a useful component.
Definitely do a basement. When we were house shopping, we wouldn't even look at any houses with crawl spaces/without basements.
Basement for sure. Houses always end up being smaller than you think they are once you're actually living in them! Better to make the investment and put it in now.
I'm in Columbus, Oh and definetly vote for the basement. Resale value is key not to mention flooding/tornado protection. While the house seems "big" now, you will want that basement for extra storage. We have both a full basement and crawl space. I love our crawl bc I put valuables there I don't want destroyed by flooding. When we finish the basement it will add another 1200 square feet to our home; currently we are at 2200. Our basement was included no extra price from our builder, is the 10k for it to be fully finished?
go with a basement. you can use it for storage, a family room, a play room for kids, an extra guest room, an office, a work out room. pretty much anything. it becomes a major investment should you sell the house down the road and it has so many uses!
I say no basement. I think they are dark and dank and I am always afraid of them leaking or developing a mold problem. (Or both!) If you want more storage, you could see about having a full attic or put up a shed or make the garage larger. (If tornadoes are a problem where you live, could you have a separate tornado cellar?)
Yes to the basement! We live in Temperance, and trust me, the way tornado sirens and warnings have been in the Toledo area lately, when the sirens go off you do not want to have to lift up the floor and crouch down in a dark dirty spider-infested crawlspace, it is absolutely disgusting. I've already told FI that when we buy a house it must have a basement!
Definitely do the basement if you can swing it budget-wise. You won't regret it! I almost bought a house without a basement and am so glad I found one with a basement. All of the extra space is really nice and will only continue to be great as my family grows. Plus, it will definitely add value, especially if you finish all/part of it to create more living space.
@Elvis: Tornado cellars aren't as common anymore because they really aren't as safe as many thought. Actually in Ohio where I've been my entire life, we've never even seen one. The thing with basements and pretty much all houses you need to invest in a good dehumidifier to control the moisture level. This will greatly reduce any chance for mold issues not to mention comfort levels.
We just bought a house and the basement was what set it apart from other houses. Half of it is finished so our kids have a play room and the other have is just normal basement for storage and my FI's tools.
I would do the basement. I have a finished basement, complete with a full kitchen, laundry room and "man cave". During basketball FI can take his buddies and head down there and make a mess and I do not have to see it.
it's also where the boiler is, if you have the laundry room and all the house running things in the basement it frees upstairs for a linen closet or a pantry. I don't care how big your house is .... you always need storage!!!
Good Luck with your house building!!
I would do a basement just because we're in the midwest and tornadoes are really common. The resale value is great, too!
@MissGreen: No the basement is just an unfinished non-painted basement, nothing special included. I wish it was finished or included some rough in's for us to finish it in the future would justify the price.
It looks like the basement should be a go. I'll have to talk to DH about it more but we will probably end up putting it it.
What exactly is the purpose of a crawl space anyways? Houses where I'm from don't have those or basements (Miami).
Go for the basement! My current house does not have a basement and I need one badly for storage. Plus, if you plan on being in the house for a long time and kids come into play you're going to definitely need the basement, especially when they have friends over.
Basements don't have to be "dark and scary", a finished basement can be just as comfortable and relaxing as an above-ground room. My in-law's main family area is their basement, and that's where my husband's bedroom was when he was in junior high & high school too, we stay in his old bedroom whenever we visit them.
Now tornado cellars on the other hand? We had a tornado cellar when I was a kid, THAT was dark and scary! And usually had snakes in it. (I don't mind snakes in general, I'm not scared of them. But in the middle of a storm is not when you want to be hoping that there's no rattlesnake in your shelter!)
basement for sure!!!! the person who built the house we live in cheaped out and only did a crawl space....well, a 5 foot tall one....we moan about it all the time.
My vote is (like the pps) FOR the basement!!! If you're planning to have kids, a basement will be invaluable when it comes to teenagers. Not to mention, it is a huge selling feature and adds value to your home. I don't think you would ever regret adding the basement!
@jumpthegun: You probably haven't seen any because of the possibility of flooding. Where I grew up was marshland and they didn't put in either due to the chance of flooding.
I don't really have a preference for or against a basement. I've never had one but my inlaws do.
YES on basement.
Not just for resale but also for storage and saving on heating costs.
We're currently house hunting for a larger house and we are looking for minimum 2K SF AND a basement.
You can always refinish the basement in the future.
Basement! Our basement is the reason we bought our house. It's finished with a huge TV room, fireplace and a walk out to the patio.
Its also usually pretty easy to finish a basement yourself. Some drywall, lights and paints makes a HUGE difference. We spend the majority of our downtime in the basement.
I agree to the basement, I couldn't imagine life without one. I have never not had a basement in any house I've lived in. Right now, we are in a split level, so we have a half sunk basement, which gives great light during the day. Its our entertainment area.
A couple questions. Will the house have a sump pump? And I assume concrete block? I see you said it will be unfinished and non painted. I think that if you do go with the basement, then to definitely spend the extra money and get the sealer for the walls. Its called Dri lock, and its really really thick, and you paint it on with a paint brush. It prevents any water getting in to your basement through the block.
It wouldn't be that hard to finish the basement on your own if your husband is handy along with a couple of friends. If not, storage is still not a bad idea, but most definitely Drilock the walls no matter what!
Basement!
DH and I plan to have a basement in our forever home (and I know many other people look for them too) so during eventual resale, the basement will be a big selling feature. Plus it is great storage and if you finish it, great for extra play space, an office, etc.
Do it, because it's going to cost a whole lot more then 10,000 to put one in later!
yes basement.... maybe you can negotiate with the builders... i know my cousin did this and she got her finished basement instead of an unfinished one :) if not it doesnt take much to drywall... we did my dh's dads basement and i helped and it didnt look too difficult... but then again i was just following directions lol
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So DH and I have stumbled into our first big building question that we can't decide upon, the house we are building comes with a standard 4' crawl but we have the option of putting in a basement. The house is pretty big without the basement (4 bed 2.5 bath, family room, living room, bonus room, 2100 square feet) but this is a home we are hoping to be living in for a long time and the storage space of a basement would be nice. The only major problem we have is the extra cost of the basement which is $10,000 (or as DH puts it an extra $70 a month) which isn't terrible and it adds value to the house but it's pushing our budget. What would you bees do? Put in the basement for the extra cost and added value or just leave the 4' crawl that it comes with?