Digging a Basement - How to Get Started
Posted: Monday, June 02, 2008
by Linda Baxter
http://www.home-built4u.com
There are several steps to go through to dig a basement. Assuming you own the land, then the next step is to have a plan drawn up. The plan usually needs to include an engineering stamp, so it meets the standards of your city.
City approval is not necessary to dig on your property, however, if the city hasn't approved your plans, you cannot start building until they do. My humble opinion is, why put your money into the dig until you have your ducks lined up. Why be paying for interest on money to pay the excavator until you are ready to continue your house-build immediately?
We found that our original houseplans would not fit on our property and we had to choose another set of plans because of the shape of the property.
We had to be 25 feet from the edge of the road to the closest extending part of the house, and 25 feet from the back property line. We had an 18 inch kickout, which, even though the foundation didn't extend out, but the house did. Consequently, we had to be 25 feet from the edge of the kick-out to the property line. In addition, the sides had to have 12 foot on one side, and another 8 foot on the other side.
Taking the houseplans around to several excavators, you get bids from the various excavators. From those bids you can choose which excavator will be the one you want to dig your basement.
Choosing an excavator is vital to the success of your dig. We chose an excavator who was really good at the controls of the track-hoe. In all, it only took him about 3 hours to dig our 1800 sq. ft. basement. It was amazing to see how adept he was at judging the depth and width of the hole. When he was through, it was near perfection very even and smooth and ready for gravel and then cement..
Once you decide upon the excavator to use, It is vital to get his quote or "bid" in writing in the form of a contractor contract. You can either draw up a contract yourself, or get one online for a few bucks or consult an attorney. But, again I say, it is vital to your pocketbook to get his bid in writing. This will prevent you from being charged more in the end, when he delivers his final bill to you. No contractor can bill you more than their bid, if you get it in writing before they begin.
The excavator has your plans, and you should meet with him on the property, before he starts to dig, so he can go over exactly where you want your home placed.
You have to know how deep you want your basement. This may be determined on if you plan to have a bathroom in the basement. You will need to know the city's requirement for the depth based upon the depth of the city sewer line. The sewer line has to have a specific "drop:" from the house to the city sewer line, so the sewage will drain properly.
You also may have an opinion as to how high you want the cement to come above the center of the road, as a prevention of flooding. All this information has to be given to the excavator. With these peramiters, he will dig your basement hole. The next step is to start digging
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Good advice for those up north. Here in Florida we are more likely to strike water.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I am sure it will be helpful to many.
This is interesting, Linda. I admire you for taking on such a big job. And then turning it into a career.
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