VCP Homes Builder, Charlotte, North Carolina New Home Basements More Affordable Than a Crawl Space
Holmes Publications
June 11, 2009
www.vcphomes.com
by Paul Watkins
Crawl space foundations are very popular in the Carolinas. The conventional wisdom is that a crawl space is cheaper to build than a basement. Problems with crawl spaces are calling into question the popular vented crawl space, and creating a new industry for sealed and conditioned crawl spaces.
Since 2003, the science behind crawlspaces has been changing rapidly. The Department of Energy funded a study from 2001 - 2003 on crawl space issues[1]. The study found that the traditional vented crawl space can continuously have relative humidity over 60%, which is ideal for mold growth[2]. This study revealed that sealed and conditioned crawl spaces would alleviate the moisture problems occurring in vented crawl spaces.
So, if a builder plans to seal and possibly condition a 2 – 3 foot high crawl space foundation; how much more would it cost to build an 8 foot high basement foundation instead?
Below is a comparison of a crawl space and a basement foundation costs for a home with a 1,400 square foot foundation:
Sealed Crawl Space Cost:
• Un-Conditioned: $16,600
• Conditioned: $21,600
• Finished: n/a
Basement Cost:
• Un-Conditioned: $36,000
• Conditioned: $42,000
• Finished: $64,000
The information indicates that it is double the cost to have a conditioned basement compared to a conditioned crawl space. Sounds expensive until you divide the $20,400 difference by 1,400 square feet and realize that for $14.57 per square foot you gain 1,400 square feet of usable space!
So are crawl spaces really cheaper? That all depends on whether you look at it as you´re tacking on an additional $20,400 to a 1,400 square foot house; or you´re getting half of a 2,800 square foot home for $14.57 a square foot as unfinished space. Carolina builders could easily offer more space for less if they´d stop treating basements as afterthoughts and rather as a core part of their product lineup.
VCP Homes specializes in building new basement homes throughout the Charlotte metro area. With over 30 years experience building basements, we know how to make a basement a great place for you and your family. You can find out more about us and the benefits of basements by visiting our website www.vcphomes.com or call us for tours of our basement homes at 866-VCP-HOME (866-827-4663).
1] Source: DOE Study: www.vcphomes.com/DOE
2] Source: EPA : www.vcphomes.com/EPA
by Paul Watkins
Crawl space foundations are very popular in the Carolinas. The conventional wisdom is that a crawl space is cheaper to build than a basement. Problems with crawl spaces are calling into question the popular vented crawl space, and creating a new industry for sealed and conditioned crawl spaces.
Since 2003, the science behind crawlspaces has been changing rapidly. The Department of Energy funded a study from 2001 - 2003 on crawl space issues[1]. The study found that the traditional vented crawl space can continuously have relative humidity over 60%, which is ideal for mold growth[2]. This study revealed that sealed and conditioned crawl spaces would alleviate the moisture problems occurring in vented crawl spaces.
So, if a builder plans to seal and possibly condition a 2 – 3 foot high crawl space foundation; how much more would it cost to build an 8 foot high basement foundation instead?
Below is a comparison of a crawl space and a basement foundation costs for a home with a 1,400 square foot foundation:
Sealed Crawl Space Cost:
• Un-Conditioned: $16,600
• Conditioned: $21,600
• Finished: n/a
Basement Cost:
• Un-Conditioned: $36,000
• Conditioned: $42,000
• Finished: $64,000
The information indicates that it is double the cost to have a conditioned basement compared to a conditioned crawl space. Sounds expensive until you divide the $20,400 difference by 1,400 square feet and realize that for $14.57 per square foot you gain 1,400 square feet of usable space!
So are crawl spaces really cheaper? That all depends on whether you look at it as you´re tacking on an additional $20,400 to a 1,400 square foot house; or you´re getting half of a 2,800 square foot home for $14.57 a square foot as unfinished space. Carolina builders could easily offer more space for less if they´d stop treating basements as afterthoughts and rather as a core part of their product lineup.
VCP Homes specializes in building new basement homes throughout the Charlotte metro area. With over 30 years experience building basements, we know how to make a basement a great place for you and your family. You can find out more about us and the benefits of basements by visiting our website www.vcphomes.com or call us for tours of our basement homes at 866-VCP-HOME (866-827-4663).
1] Source: DOE Study: www.vcphomes.com/DOE
2] Source: EPA : www.vcphomes.com/EPA
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