Although basements aren’t particularly common in South Carolina, that doesn’t mean one is necessarily out of the question when planning your custom home. Whether or not we can include a basement depends on the lot conditions, which can vary dramatically throughout the state.
Many areas of South Carolina toward the Lowcountry and coast aren’t ideal for basements due to the higher water table, soil composition, and risk of flooding. Areas with higher elevation may better suit basements, like in the northern parts of the state and areas around Columbia, SC. We can survey the site to see if a basement is possible or even a good idea. We can also find creative solutions to traditional basements, like “walkout” basements and intentional storage throughout the home. Basements, of course, extend construction time a bit and increase the cost of a new home build. But they also dramatically increase your square footage and can allow you to have a spare apartment or game area of your dreams. We can discuss those elements as well when deciding whether to include one.
Get a consultation from the South Carolina custom home builders of Blythe Custom Homes, and go to our website today.
Are Basements Common in South Carolina Homes?
Basements aren’t very common in South Carolina homes. There are several reasons for this, like the generally high water table, the clay-rich soils of the upper coastal plains, and the risk of floods along the coast, especially during hurricane season.
When the groundwater is too close to the surface, there is a high water table. This is common throughout the eastern part of South Carolina, and risks causing foundation issues and basement leaks. When building in areas with a higher water table, it’s best to find alternative storage solutions rather than a traditional basement.
Some areas of the state have clay soil that is very wet and prone to erosion, while other areas have sandy soil. While sandy soil may drain well, it’s also unstable like clay, potentially posing foundation issues and structural concerns in the basement.
Parts of South Carolina with loamy soil, which is typically an even mix of sand, silt, clay, and other organic materials, are ideal for building homes with basements. This soil type drains well, can withstand considerable weight, and is easily excavated by our builders.
Can I Build a Home with a Basement in South Carolina?
Although homes with basements are less common in South Carolina than in some other areas of the country, there are parts of the state that are suitable for basements. If you plan to build in an area with a higher elevation, we may confidently include a structurally sound basement in house plans.
To determine whether or not you can build a home with a basement in South Carolina, we need to know more about your lot. Some areas near Columbia are perfect for basements. Others are too low or sandy. We review and assess soil composition and condition, the height of the water table, and other factors that determine basement viability. We’ll be straightforward about our findings and inform you whether adding a basement is feasible. If it is feasible, we can discuss how adding a budget affects your budget and building timeline.
Does Building a Home with a Basement Cost More?
Some homeowners choose not to include basements in house plans, not because of lot conditions and limitations, but because of their budgets. We can work with the target budget you set during our initial meetings and tell you if adding a basement will fit with your plans.
Building a home with a basement comes with some additional costs. Excavating the land, pouring the foundation, and waterproofing a basement is typically costlier than building a home with a slab foundation. Building a finished or unfinished basement may increase property value substantially plus double or greatly add to your square footage, something that convinces many homeowners to add basements to new home builds when possible.
We may be able to compromise on certain finishes or features throughout the house to find room in your budget for a finished basement, if your building site is viable. Tell us if a basement is on your must-have list from the get-go, and we can work with you to get what you desire using your target budget.
Does Building a Home with a Basement Take Longer in South Carolina?
Building a home with a basement can also take longer than building a home with a slab foundation in South Carolina. Basements mean we have to get specific permits. Most of the time that goes pretty quickly. And we know how to work around permits and can help you sail through any issues..
Then, we must excavate the land so we can pour the foundation for the basement. This excavation phase is significantly less involved for homes with slab foundations and no basements. While we may have to do some soil grading and digging, it won’t be to the same degree.
If your target move-in date is fast approaching and speed is the most critical thing to you, you may decide to build a home with a slab foundation rather than a basement, as this will expedite the initial stages.
What if I Can’t Build a Home with a Basement?
If you can’t build a home with a basement in South Carolina because of budget restrictions or land limitations, we can find creative ways to maximize storage in a custom home.
Basements are primarily used for storage, and we can achieve that same storage capacity without the excavation costs. A walkout basement is ideal for homes built on a slope, allowing direct access to and from the outside without being underground.
If you don’t prefer a walkout basement or your land doesn’t support it, you can designate attic space for storage or add additional square footage to the home’s size. Many of our home plans have large storage rooms on the second floor or additional storage areas in the garage. Being intentional about the home’s floor plan, room designation, closets, built-in storage, and other elements can eliminate the need for a basement altogether.
However, if what you want is a large space for family and friends to stay to visit, a basement can be much more economical than adding square footage to the house on the main floor.
Let us help you find creative solutions if you can’t build a home with a traditional basement in South Carolina, and start planning your dream house with Blythe Custom Homes.
Start Planning Your New Home in South Carolina
You can visit our website to schedule a consultation with the Columbia, SC custom home builders of Blythe Custom Homes.
