Underpinning the basement for 1 bedroom

6 years ago

I want to finish my basement and add a bedroom with eagess window. The steps go down, into the house right in the middle of the basement which opens to the left and right.

The first floor's joists are 6 1/2 feet above the basement floor. the metal load bearing beam in the middle is 6 feet off the ground. Not gonna do much with that since its going through the middle of the basement.

I want to add a room off to the right at the back of the house and am wondering if its possible to underpin just one section of the basement? Like the bedroom has a few stairs going down to it? or would it be better to just go all the way? I would be DIYing this with the advise and occasional help from my uncle who is a structural engineer.. just trying to get a good idea before i embarrass myself asking him LOL.

I'd only be doing this to add value to the house. Typical 1940s brick cape cod. Full attic, converted to master bedroom, 2 bedrooms on the first floor, small living room, dining room and tiny kitchen and a half finished basement. It's listed as a 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath. 720 sq ft livable space. I was told you could add about 75% of the cost to finish a basement to the value of the home, not sure how much that jumps when a bedroom is included is it, nor how much it lowers when you do structural things like underpinning.

What do you think? Is it worth it? Should i just finish it and forget the underpinning? (probably :P )

Featured Answer

suedonim75

6 years ago

I can’t see how that extra bedroom would add any value. No one with 3 or 4 children would buy a 720 sq foot house. It’s just too small. And no one would put a child in the basement while they slept in the attic.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
Get a contractor and a structural engineer there is no way we can help IMO. IMO a bigger kitchen would be a better resale ROI
shirlpp
6 years ago
Not sure how you'd be embarrassing yourself by asking a relative who is a structural engineer a very valid question.
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latifolia
6 years ago
Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, not dark basement bedrooms with 6' ceilings.
HU-993723755
6 years ago
Adding an additional bedroom can definitely add value in certain markets, I've done it with great success. Just depends on your location and total investment. Talk with a good realtor first.

However, 6ft ceilings will be a deal breaker for a lot of buyers, and code might not even allow it in your area. Your money might be better spent elsewhere.
PRO
JAN MOYER
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Even finished basements with walkout and a bath don't add that much value to a home. Bad Idea. Put the funds in the bank, save for a larger home. Or add on to this one at GROUND level and second floor.
HU-993723755
6 years ago
Sounds like most of these answers are for suburbs or rural areas. Nice finished basements in major cities can add a lot of value, especially if you can add 50-75% more square footage. Nobody is expecting a walkout, and a lot of people like a basement bedroom for a guest suite (as long as it's a nice space). Bring in a good realtor and have them tell you where to spend money.

As for your structural question, Houzz might be the worst place to ask. There are plenty of strong opinions on here which can be good for certain projects and terrible for others.
Bruce in Northern Virginia
6 years ago
In general, finishing off a basement adds space to the house, but below-ground space does not add that much value. In your case its even harder to get value because of the low ceiling.

In my city you need a special exception to finish a basement that has less than 80" to the finished ceiling, and you need an egress window if there is a bedroom. We finished off our basement as a do-it-yourself project and did not add the egress window. Based on our permit it is only storage space (although it has a bathroom and laundry room); however, it did add to the overall house square footage.

Bruce
User
6 years ago
Doing anything jackleg, below code, is a less wise use of excess funds burning a hole in your pocket than using it as a fire starter for your wood burning fireplace. Even doing a basement project up to codes is a money loser, unless you’re in a high cost urban environment that doesn’t permit tear downs.