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House Plans with Basements
Take the first step in creating the basement of your dreams with this guide for house plans with basements.
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When designing a home, one of the basic questions is whether you want your house plans to include a basement. There are a variety of options, from ranch house plans to walk-out basement house plans. Basements are part of the home's foundation, so getting this room on the checklist early is vital to your choice of plans.
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The footprint of the home will dictate the basement's size. Measure the area that will be used and then list the functions that are most important to you. For example, if you'll use your basement as a home theater, it will require different plans than if you use it as guest space. Many house plans come with pre-drawn basements, which you can either use as is, or have an architect or contractor change to your specifications.
If creating the house plans yourself, use a pencil, paper and ruler to draw a simple layout of what you would like your basement to look like. This will serve as a helpful reference tool for your contractor or architect.
If you are planning to have a walk-out basement, then you will want to consider the best place for the exterior door of the basement. The same goes for a kitchen or garage that will act as an entrance to the basement; be sure your plans include ingress and egress that meet local building codes.
See also: Basements Planning Guide
