we are considering expanding the house where there is currently a patio with a roof. The reason is to have a larger bathroom since the existing one is very small and in need of renovation.
The house is 1-½ stories from the mid-30s, wood and brick basement. It has been previously expanded twice; the first time the basement was also expanded under the addition. The second time, about 35 sqm was built on a slab.
Do we have to dig up and also expand the basement, or is it okay with just a slab? And is a building permit needed for this, or is the patio already considered part of the house? We are also planning to drain the house in a month, and it might be a good idea to mention our expansion plans to the earthwork contractor?
The house is 1-½ stories from the mid-30s, wood and brick basement. It has been previously expanded twice; the first time the basement was also expanded under the addition. The second time, about 35 sqm was built on a slab.
Do we have to dig up and also expand the basement, or is it okay with just a slab? And is a building permit needed for this, or is the patio already considered part of the house? We are also planning to drain the house in a month, and it might be a good idea to mention our expansion plans to the earthwork contractor?
With or without a basement, you probably do as it suits you. You will need a building permit. The exception is that if you have the house in an unplanned area, it sometimes seems you don't need a building permit for smaller extensions. But I think it partly depends on practice in different municipalities, so you should verify that with the municipality.
okay, just thinking if the ground might move a lot if you don't extend the basement as well, as I said I have no experience but I guess if you just prepare properly under the slab it should work...
luckily, I don't live in a planned urban area, but will of course check it out...
luckily, I don't live in a planned urban area, but will of course check it out...
I once talked about the foundation of extensions with an architect and building engineer who had designed many house extensions... she recommended the same foundation, e.g., an extension with a basement if the house has a basement, and so on, to avoid problems with different settling of the building parts. But on the other hand, there are plenty of houses with basements that have been extended with different foundations.
If you're both expanding and re-draining, it's appropriate to dig for drainage at the same time as you dig for the expansion. Whether you're building with a basement or a slab, you need to dig for the expansion, and then it's easy to dig for drainage of that (and the rest of the house) at the same time. A mix of slab and basement usually makes drainage a bit more complicated, as you have two different levels to drain.
Now, it seems like you already have that problem, so you'll simply have to decide if it's worth the increased cost to get a bigger basement or not.
Now, it seems like you already have that problem, so you'll simply have to decide if it's worth the increased cost to get a bigger basement or not.
So, the drainage will be done regardless of whether the expansion happens or not, I was just thinking if it's appropriate at this stage to also prepare for the expansion and if so, how...
I have absolutely no need to extend the basement and would prefer a slab if it's possible without future complications...
I have absolutely no need to extend the basement and would prefer a slab if it's possible without future complications...
