Walk-out Basement or Pole Building

[Tater86]

I appreciate everyone's help in my previous thread to help talk me out of spending $27K+ on changing my ceiling, so instead i'm putting my money to better use and putting an addition on my cabin, but I have a new dilemma now......

In the next few month's I'm working on adding a 26x10 addition to my cabin and originally I was planning to add a walk out basement as the foundation (current cabin is built on piers). The cost coming back is a little higher than I planned, so wanted to get some opinions on my build.

Since the current cabin is built on piers, would you scrap the idea of a walk-out basement and just build the addition on piers as well and just save up to put a pole building in later? Quotes are coming in around $10K-$13K for a basement.

 

[Rich M]

I can understand the thoughts in building and changing to meet the dynamics. You gotta decide what will give you the most use and best return.

We basically tripled the size of bld and have hit a snag on windows. Once we get that done, can get the guys started.

 

[WCB]

what are you going to do with a 10ft wide room?

 

[Smokey Bear]

what are you going to do with a 10ft wide room?

I can think of a lot of things to do with a 26 X 10 room.

 

[Jimmy]

what are you going to do with a 10ft wide room?

It'll have so much more room for activities

 

[Tater86]

Exactly, activities, haha. Are you asking in regards to what the basement would be used for or the addition? The addition will be for a living room, closet and wash room extension. Current living room will become open space and allow movement of the kitchen table so the kitchen isn't crammed. The basement would be to store, Kayak's, Treestands, small odds and ends and a 600 gallon water tank.

 

[Wheels]

Is there a reason it is built on piers? water table high?
That may become a problem if you have plans for a basement of pole shed.

 

[Tater86]

Is there a reason it is built on piers? water table high?
That may become a problem if you have plans for a basement of pole shed.

Cabin was built on piers and beams simply for the cost factor and timing we had to get it built. All of the piers were free.

 

[TaperPin]

When remodeling clients are considering basement vs 10’ ceiling premium finished basement vs crawspace vs slab on grade vs shallow frost slab vs other things like your piers, I point first to the costs of concrete and forming vs additional square feet of usable space. For any interior space, even storage or room for mechanicals it’s not hard to place a value per square foot. Usually full basements are overly expensive unless made into full blown finished square feet that fully contributes to appraised square footage of livable space.

I love full basements, even made half my income at one time replacing old basements in historic districts, and found the profit potential so good it was part of a retirement plan at one time. It’s still the business I’d start if just getting into the trades today. But the costs are significant and there are a lot of potential pitfalls if corners are cut, so unless you are forced to use a basement, you’ll get more bang for the buck staying above ground.

 

[92xj]

Have a picture of the cabin?

 

[doc holiday13]

It'll have so much more room for activities

like running wind sprints??

 

[Tater86]

Have a picture of the cabin?

The extension will be from the single door there over to the edge with the small window and clay trim.

 

[Smokey Bear]

It'll have so much more room for activities

 

[WCB]

Exactly, activities, haha. Are you asking in regards to what the basement would be used for or the addition? The addition will be for a living room, closet and wash room extension. Current living room will become open space and allow movement of the kitchen table so the kitchen isn't crammed. The basement would be to store, Kayak's, Treestands, small odds and ends and a 600 gallon water tank.

I was picturing a 10ft x 26ft wing type addition. So 10ft connected and 26ft out from current structure. the picture of the cabin and explanation makes more sense.

IMO if done right I would build the addition on piers. Build enclosed storage under addition for Kayaks Treestands etc. and save for a pole barn/shed.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Taper pin is dead on about the cost per sq ft. WCB’s idea of enclosed storage under addition is a good one.


Also save up some dough and finish siding the cabin?

 

[Tater86]

Also save up some dough and finish siding the cabin?

haha, Cabin is completely sided. Have also since added a 36x8 addition on the front, a 24x10 deck on the back and a 12x20 shed off to the side . Word of advice for everyone building, go bigger than your plan, haha.