Does Building a Basement Make Sense for You?

They’re not yet all the rage here in Australia, but they’re gaining popularity. We’re referring to basements. Basements add an additional layer to your home, beneath it, either building into the foundation or creating an entirely new structure. Today, Baxton Property Management is partnering with Restumping Melbourne to dive into basements and discern if they make sense for you and your home.

There are many things to consider. The first is timeline. What does your life look like right now? Can you take on a sizeable project that will disrupt your day to day routine and potentially uproot you from your living space? While some of the work can be completed while you’re in your home, not all of it can. Additionally, you’re dealing with all of the collateral damage that is assumed with any home renovation. There will be dust, there will be noise, and there will be disturbances. It’s important to level set on this before diving into a project of this nature and size.

The next thing to keep in mind is your budget. This is definitely not a project that you can do halfway, so make sure that you have this conversation early in the process and are on the same page with your contractor. While there may be small, incremental updates to the bottom line, it shouldn’t change that much for the original, agreed upon amount. Make sure that all of this is documented, so that you can reference it later.

Onto the structural variables. Basements work best for certain architectural styles and certain plots of land. If you live on a sloped lot, a basement may be ideal, because Mother Nature has done half of the work for you. They’re great for split-level homes, a natural fit. This isn’t to say that they’re impossible on flat lots, just slightly more work.

It’s also important to keep the architectural style of your home in mind. If you live in a Victorian mansion that was built in the early 1900s, there could be structural issues. There could be outdated elements like the footings in the foundation that you want to remedy before doing a major remodel. If your home is newer, or you’re an expert on its history, you’re more set up for success.

Finally, think about what you’re going to use the basement for. Is it an additional bedroom for a growing family? Is it a space for a home gym where you can work out your daily stressors? Or is it simply a den or social living space where you can connect with those you live with. We recommend having this intention in mind before the work begins. This way, at the very least, you’ll have a light at the end of the tunnel of construction to look forwards to.

Ready to pull the trigger on this exciting project? Make sure that you do your due diligence on local contractors. Questions? Give us a shout. And be sure to check out the Restumping Melbourne website for more helpful information about foundations and home renovations.

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