How feasible is it to raise a floor by a foot to gain ceiling height on a lower level?

Question

I'm about to move into a 1940s brick bungalow that I inherited. The house is in fantastic condition, very structurally sound, and has hardwood floors throughout. There is a full daylight basement, which I would really like to convert to a small apartment for my college-age son, as well as create a game room and exercise room. The only obstacle is that the clearance below the joists in the basement ceiling is only about 7 feet, and even less in areas where new ducts were run when the home was outfitted with new central heat and air recently. But on the main level, the ceilings are nine feet high. Is is possible to raise a floor in this type of structure? If so, is it likely to be really costly? What about digging up the concrete foundation in the basement and lowering that instead? Would that work, and would that make more sense? I want to create a less claustrophobic and useful living space, but don't have a bundle of money to put into it.

Answer 1

forget raising the ground floor, it's neither affordable or practicable. Unless your son is over seven ft I wouldn't bother personally. Should you wish to continue, however, I'd suggest you start by excavating an inspection pit by the foundation to see how far down it goes. You may be able to reduce the floor height without underpinning. If you need to underpin the whole house it will cost thousands of pounds (tens of thousands of dollars)

Answer 2

Neither choice would be feasible on a budget. The idea of raising the floor in the main area is a huge undertaking and would be expensive. To dig up concrete in the basement is also going to be very labor intensive and costly. They are both structural issues and that is were the problem is. You won't be able to do either without engineering plans which will probably cost more than you want to spend on the whole project. A seven foot ceiling while not ideal is very common for basements, use acoustic ceiling tiles and you may be able to have duct runs and pipes relocated to gain ceiling height. Good luck

Answer 3

Both options would be extremely expensive. You are dealing with the structure of the house. Raising the upper floor would mean raising all the doors for one thing. Lowering the basement floor would entail altering the foundation.

Answer 4

it would prob be more feasable to look into lowering your floor then your ceiling ...if you raise the ceiling it will effect everything up there....and i guarentee whatever option you go with will be very expensive..considered major construction..your best bet is to ask around to get referrell of trusted contractors in your area and let them do a bid which will cost you nothing and then you will know for sure what your options are and the cost you will be looking at to see if it is worth it