What would the standard basement ceiling height be? Are there any pipes or ducts below the ceiling level? How will you use the basement?

Another question ... Is this a walk-out basement or a standard below ground basement?

I had a friend who was 6'6" and his favourite spot was his workdesk in the corner of a basement that he had to duck down to move around in!

If you're from the Philippines, it may suit you fine.

For the typical North American though (if there is such a thing anymore) even 10' basement ceilings, typically compromised by low-hanging ductwork, aren't ideal. One builder friend did his own home with a 12' basement ceiling.

The standard height is 8 feet but i was told that basement does have duct work in many areas which will reduce the height in those specific areas.

I am 6.1 and was planning to build a home gym down the line...

What is expected in your market? If basements are primarily storage and utility space in your area, perhaps go for the finished space to have a hard to find  upgrade. However, if high spec finished basements are typical in your area, I would likely choose the nine foot option because the basement,  whether eventually finished by you or later owner, will be a better quality space. 

You should determine the specs of your builder's finished rec room upgrade. The cost is suspiciously low for a space with finished walls, ceiling and floor. Are you setting yourself up for a lot bigger bill with change order fees to upgrade the flooring and add more lights and outlets than bare minimum?

Builder is going to build a basic rec room with:

1. Standard carpet ( $7000 upgrade for laminate flooring)

2. Popcorn ceiling ($1700 for smooth ceiling)

3. Will provide one light fixture ($250 for each pot light)

So in short it just basic drywall with one light fixture with carper flooring..

If the choice is between the 9-foot ceiling and the finished rec room, go for the 9-foot ceiling. Anything else you can change later.

I agree with others, IF you EVER plan for a finished basement, go for the 9’ deep option. Finish it later as you wish, not a builders basic. DO have plumbing stubbed for a future barhroom.

A deep basement permits finishing the space with standatd 8’ ceiling, no framing around ducts

9' ceiling for sure!

Yes, 9'. If you plan to build a gym, you'll presumably want to be able to lift weights above your head without hitting the ceiling.

Larry Wheels

Still maybe too tight.

Isn't it quite amazing that 12 inches costs $15k. That seems unbelievable to me.

David, that's why I skipped bumping mine up to 9 from 8. However I have zero desire to turn the cellar into any habitable space. I like having it for mechanicals and storage, and even my laundry room is down there. However it's not a space I deliberately choose to spend time in beyond that, so it was not even close to being worth it for me.

However, if you want to actually use it, then yes you sort-of need to go to 9 feet, because so much ends up hanging below.

9' ceilings always standout in a basement with a wow factor. When touring new parade of homes every year if even one had a 9'+ ceiling in the basement it always stuck with me while most of the houses were forgotten when I left the front door.

Do the higher ceilings

Isn't it quite amazing that 12 inches costs $15k

For poured foundations, the formers have to use 10' forms instead of the standard 8' ones. Fewer of those available and they cost the former quite a bit more and they're heavier to move around, requiring more labour, so there's a premium charge to the builder.

Plus the added height may require re-bar placement.

And, of course, the extra concrete cost, deeper excavation and taller foundation membrane and dampproofing (unless the builder is adding the height at the top) rather than the bottom. As well, there may be more steps needed for entry.

IOW, the upcharge is not all "gravy".

Put your $$$ in the bones of the house not the cosmetics. Cosmetic can be changed or added. This is your only chance to have a higher basment ceilings.

I would also not pay for a carpet upgrade.

You do want the ceiling beneath any framing or duct or wiring or plumbing in any part of the basement you want to create a finished room such as a family room or rec room.

Where in the basement the ceiling would not be 8' could matter. Do you have the detailed plans of the build?

Does the %15,000 difference between "unfinished" and "finished" basement include more than adding ceiling height -- wiring, plumbing, smooth concrete floor vs. rough, insulation for the walls? waterproofing of foundation and basemen walls and flooring? .

Just how many more rows of concrete blocks must be added to the foundation/basement in order to take the build from unfinished basement to finished basement? Are you already under contract for this build to this contractor or can you get other estimates for the change from unfinished to finished ceiling height?

Is this a daylight/walk out basement ? Does "finished" vs. "unfinished" alter any other requirements exterior door access/ingress/egress issues that arise because of building codes -- something YOU will need to pay for if/when you finish the unfinished basement with ceiling at either height?

Would definitely not want any carpet in a basement where water damage from plumbing issues is a real potential ... just make sure the concrete flooring and walls are water proofed and the flooring is smooth finished so you could paint/stain them initially and add flooring of your choosing to them later.

Know what you are and are not getting for the price difference and what, if any, additional costs will be up to you to pay.

I would choose option 1, higher ceiling. We did that when our house was built. You can finish the basement whenever you want and however you want, but the height of the ceiling cannot be changed later on.

12" for 15k is ridiculous. Usually about 2k to 3k depending on total wall lf and little extra lally columns. I have one of the estimates on my desk right now.

Our house was built in 2006 and we paid 11k for the extra foot in height

Cost to GC vs cost to consumer that includes doc, risk, etc. My 3300 sq ft + garage + retaining foundation came to 64k at 9'. I actually think too much.

The ceiling is not being raised; the subgrade, footings, walls and slab are being lowered which explains some, but not all, of the high cost.

We did 10 feet just over 10 years ago. The option to go lower wasn't even discussed. The total foundation cost was around $50k. Obviously times are different but it should be about 10% more digging and 10% more concrete, right? And that should not be 10% more cost.

Now if there are engineering changes, that would add some cost. And just general changes obviously add costs.

with 9 ft walls you're lucky to end up with 8 ft clear due to duct work and such. I'd go at least 10, 12 if you want to use the space for a shop or studio.

In our part of the world 10' forms are now pretty much the norm, they only fill them part way if the spec is for shorter walls.

I would need to see where the ductwork but I think if a gym is the plan you probly should go 9' I am 5'9" we have a 7.5 ' basement I have a full gym no issues We have 8' ceilings everywhere else and I love them so get what you need for your life. IMO basements are already usually cold and to heat a 10' ceiling even in the main part of a house is a waste IMO

Personally, I'd rather have a finished rec room than a 9 foot ceiling in the basement. 8 feet is plenty. I moved from an older home with 8 feet ceilings everywhere to my current one where ceilings are 9 feet - I didn't ever feel constricted when I went back to the old home (preparations for sale etc). It's a basement. Don't waste your moolah on making that space 9 feet!

PS, I am six foot one inches tall. I had no problems with any 8-foot ceiling I've ever met.

It's not hard or expensive to finish out 600 Sq. ft. in a basement. A couple of friends and he could knock it out in two weekends for abut 2 to 5 grand with ease.

If the norm is 10' forms or that's the size needed I'd tell him you'll go 15k added for 10' ceilings. Negotiate.

I think it depends upon how you are going to use the basement. If it's going to stay primarily a basement, I don't think I would spend the money for either. If it is eventually going to be a finished space I might go for the 9 to have the flattest ceiling possible rather than having it go up and down around ductwork, but I can think of a lot of other things I would do with $15,000 in a house project if it's just going to stay typical basement with small windows and such at the end.

Good point Dan, the extra concrete would really be the only cost besides the extra dig and earth removal. The extra concrete would take about 3 yards @ $200 per yard or $600.

The extra dig and a 12 yard truck a quater full to haul shouldn't add more than $500 so negotiating he could get 2 extra feet for $15K or at the most $16K.

Our basement walls are 9ft finished. i think they were poured at 10 ft.

its not just the walls and ceilings. we also have 7ft sliding french doors and windows at 7 ft header height. we had 8 ft finished in our last house. the 9 ft ceilings in the basements make a lot of difference.

go for this option.

Gotta love the prices when it comes to "change orders" :-)

Lol, certainly feel like that :-)

I would go for the 9 foot ceiling upgrade.