If you re in the market for a new home it may be a better choice to purchase one with a basement over an attic because basement renovations have less structural limitations.
Basement vs attic cost.
Unfinished makes little difference.
The last annual cost vs.
Heating and cooling a basement is probably more economical due to the constant temperature of the ground below 5 depth assessment costs and property taxes.
Crawlspace basements requiring a foundation cinderblock walls concrete floor and moisture prevention techniques run 7 000 to 10 000 for a house that is 1 800 square feet.
Value report 2007 the average cost of an attic remodel 46 691 and basement remodel 59 435 was less than half the cost of a second story addition 139 297.
More modest home additions such as sunrooms family rooms and master bedrooms ranged from just under 70 000 to almost 100 000.
Building codes mandate minimum ceiling height access and egress requirements that make make it difficult to add much footage in an attic.
Framing members that are adequate for ceiling joists may not suffice for floor.
Cost is roughly 6 per square foot.
According to remodeling magazine s cost vs.
Basement footage is worth very little and finished vs.
If you re lucky enough to find a home with both an attic and basement you have the opportunity to renovate as you see fit.
Thumbtack a company that offers skilled professionals in over 1 000 home related services puts the average cost of finishing a basement between 5 100 and 8 750 nationwide whereas the addition of an above ground room can cost from 10 000 80 000 or more the company notes.
Plus you may have structural issues.
I guess this varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and should be evaluated in terms of annual expense of basement vs.