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Building a Home

Those who have or are building a Frank Betz home

customdecorator

16 years ago

After reading the other post on Frank Betz homes I looked into them and there are quite a few I am interested in. At first I was looking at ones that only have a bonus space, but after looking at the plan specs noticed that many of them have basements that could be finished and be a bonus room.

Maybe a stupid question, but do you have to have a basement? For those of you that are having a basement are you having your builder finish it or is that something you are doing yourselves later?

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Comments (4)

charliedawg
16 years ago
A basement was a must have for us for a several reasons. 1st it's such an easy way to add additional square footage. 2nd, I'm terrified of tornados and a basement gives me peace of mind. 3rd, storage, storage and more storage.

A basment instead of a slab adds about 20,000-30,000 to the price around here. To have that space professionally finished most builders add about 25-30 bucks per sf. (I'm in KY).

We have decided to have an unfinished basement but we did have it plumbed for a full bath in the future. I think that was $600.00.

My dh will finish it in about a year. He finished our last basement for about $10.00 per sf which included more than just walls. For that amount we also got furniture (2,000), 52 inch TV (1,000), solid oak L-shaped bar ($3,000), fridge (500.00), fooseball table (700.00), small tv by (100)bar and a fireplace (800.00). So really a do it yourselfer could probably do just walls and floors and lights for less than $5.00 sf.
liptonjl
16 years ago
customdecorator:

Aren't the Frank Betz designs gorgeous? We will be building the MacGregor and we will have a basement. I think even if the plan DOESN'T call for a basement, you could have one anyway. Which plans do you like?
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dixiedoodle
16 years ago
You don't have to have a basement even if the plans show one and, conversely, you can have a basement even if the plans don't show one. Almost all of those stock plans will need to be modified by a local architect or designer or draftsman (whichever you prefer) to bring them to code for your particular area. At that time, you can also make changes, such as the addition/deletion of a basement space, to the design. We do not typically build on a slab foundation in my area so you either have a crawlspace or a basement. We do not have a basement because we have a flat lot. It is "cheap" extra living space...especially for something like a play room/bonus room.
customdecorator
Original Author
16 years ago
Liptonjl, yes they are goregous!! After searching online for many weeks now of different style homes that would suit us, I am finding that the Interiors of most of the homes are perfect for us, but on those ones I like, I am not too crazy out the exterior and vise versa. My favorite is the Litchfield and Southernland Place. I know the basement can be extra space, but it would be nice to have a loft upstairs and in the models I like they don't offer that. In addition, found a goregous Plantation home by Sater Design, Inc called "Les Tourelles" and have the option to add a basement.

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