Homeowner reference library
When you cannot build up or out, we build down. Excavation, structure and waterproofing for a dry, usable floor below the house.
Discuss your basement construction project →Quick answers for a single decision, practical guides for planning, and detailed references when you need the full picture.
Detailed reference · 7 min read
Basement floor area is only the starting point for a construction budget. The cost also depends on the ground, water conditions, existing foundations and how excavated material can leave the site. Before comparing prices, establish what must be investigated and what the proposed construction includes to create a dry, accessible room beneath your home.
Detailed reference · 8 min read
A basement needs fresh air and a practical way to maintain the equipment serving it. Plan where ventilation, cooling and drainage equipment will go before fixing ceiling heights and cabinets. Enough room to install a unit is not always enough room to clean it, remove a part or replace it without damaging the finished room.
Detailed reference · 12 min read
Basement waterproofing stops groundwater pressing on the buried walls and floor from seeping in. Rain coming down an outside stair, lightwell or driveway is different. It drains to a sump pit, where a sump pump lifts it out. Plan for a blocked drain, a pump that stops and a power cut too, because a waterproof coating can’t help with those.