Can You Turn Your Crawlspace, into a Livable Space?

Can you turn your crawlspace, into a livable space?A question many people ask is if you can turn your crawlspace into a livable space. However, carving out a basement from a crawl space is an undertaking that requires more than just a weekend and a couple of friends. If this is something that you are interested in doing you need to follow these important steps:

• Plan your project and ensure you have an engineer’s approval (Most important step!)

• Get approval/permits from your city or county.

• Dig around the outside of the foundation down to the footings.

• Raise the house structure with hydraulic jacks, I-beams, and cribbing.

• Pour a new foundation wall or lay a new block wall for the basement.

• Pour a concrete slab for the new basement floor.

• Lower the house onto new foundation walls and remove cribbing.

• Waterproof interior and exterior basement walls.

• Backfill against exterior basement walls.

• Complete interior finishing with framing, drywall, etc.

Keep in mind this project is feasible, however, it is best to get a professional involved in the process. By doing this it will save you money in the long run.