Raising the ceiling in your basement is a complex undertaking requiring careful consideration of structural requirements, local building codes, and foundation work. It is, however, achievable with the right approach. Because the average cost of this type of project falls between $300,000 and $400,000 it might make more sense to expand up or out with an addition to your home.
But if an addition simply isn’t an option, and you’ve got your heart set on creating a beautiful, functional basement space, read on. We’ll cover the two main methods for increasing your basement ceiling height, typical costs, and key factors that determine the best solution for your home.
- Why Raise Basement Ceiling Height?
- Requirements for Raising the Ceiling Height in Portland
- The Two Main Methods of Raising Basement Ceiling Height
- What to Consider When Choosing How to Raise Your Ceiling
Why Raise Your Basement Ceiling Height?
Also known as “head height,” the height of your ceiling affects how you can use or change a space. In a basement, by far the most common reason to raise the head height is for finishing the space.
Often, people choose to convert their unfinished basement into a finished basement to increase the overall living area in their home. The problem they often encounter is the legality of the ceiling height. Typically, the ceiling must be at least 6’8” in order to be considered a “legal living space.” If it is shorter than this minimum requirement, then you have to raise the ceiling before finishing the basement.
The benefits of a finished basement are only sometimes enough to justify the complex process of raising your ceiling height. While it does increase the value of your home, it’s also one of the most expensive methods of adding usable livable space. For this reason, many people choose to use a finished basement for a game room, media room, or additional bedrooms.
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What Are the Requirements for Raising Your Basement’s Ceiling Height?
When planning to raise your basement ceiling height, you must comply with any applicable building codes and regulations to ensure the safety and legality of the space. Here are the main requirements according to Oregon building codes:
Required Permits for Raising Basement Ceiling Height
A building permit is required to convert basements to living space. Additional permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work may also be necessary if the project involves changing any of these utilities. Permits ensure that all work complies with local building codes and standards.
Minimum Ceiling Height For Basement Living Space
The minimum ceiling height required by Oregon building code is 6’8″. In certain situations, a minimum of 6’2″ is allowed for existing structures when converting unfinished space to finished living space. However, for the sake of comfort and usability, it is almost always preferable to raise the ceiling to 6’8″ or higher.
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Egress Requirements For Basements
To be considered legal living space, all sleeping rooms must have at least one egress window or exterior door for emergency escape. An egress window must have a clear opening with a minimum width of 20 inches, a minimum height of 24 inches, and a total clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet.
Structural Integrity of Basement Ceiling & Walls
The existing basement floor and supporting structure should be evaluated to verify the strength of the existing framing. It must be able to support live loads (such as the weight of people, furniture, etc.). If the house is not currently bolted to the foundation, you should also consider a voluntary seismic retrofit while the floor framing and basement walls are exposed.
Preparing For a Basement Remodel?
Read Our Basement Remodel Buyer’s Guide!
A basement is a source of untapped potential in your home. Take advantage of the extra space by remodeling it into something you can use! In this guide, learn about the basement remodeling process, challenges, and industry best practices.
What is the Process for Raising a Basement Ceiling?
Believe it or not, there are two methods to increase a basement ceiling’s height. The first method is to dig the basement down deeper. The second method is to lift the house and build the basement walls higher. The method that works best for your home will depend on several factors relating to its size, shape, and location.
Basement Dig-Down
A dig-down is exactly what it sounds like – you dig your foundation lower, moving the floor further from the ceiling. In a dig-down, you’ll have to move several thousand pounds of dirt out from under the house to make room for the new basement floor.
In this type of project, the first step is to strip out the basement to clear the space for work. If you have a utility basement, this may mean temporarily moving your furnace, plumbing, and electrical systems. Then, your construction team will build temporary supports inside the basement to take some of the weight off the exterior basement walls.
Once the space is prepared, then begins the long, difficult task of digging out the basement. While most crawl spaces have dirt floors, even a short basement will have a concrete slab floor. This often presents even more difficulty, because the builders must demolish the concrete slab and remove it before digging out the dirt below.
A dig-down will usually begin by cutting out a large hole in the side of the foundation to drive digging equipment in. Depending on the space, your build team may choose to use a conveyor belt to carry the dirt out, instead. The digging begins at the outer perimeter of the basement and works its way inward. This process is very labor-intensive and often requires weeks of digging. Once the home’s footprint has been dug down to the desired depth, a concrete team will pour the new footings and slab to extend the foundation. Once this is done, all that’s left to do is replace the utilities and finish the basement.
House Lift
Another method of raising your basement height is by lifting the house. This way, you move your basement ceiling further from the foundation floor.
The first step in a house lift is to sever the home from its foundation. This includes separating the home from the structural concrete underneath it, as well as the electrical, water, and HVAC systems. Once separated, a team of professional house lifters completes the rest of the actual lifting process. The usual procedure is to attach the home to temporary steel I-beam supports and use jacks to lift the house. As the house raises, the team will add structural cribbing underneath to support the weight. They’ll typically raise the house 1-2 feet above the desired height to give themselves room to work.
Then begins the process of replacing the foundation, which is often the only way to ensure that the structure is secure. Foundation work for this type of project should always be done by a professional concrete team. Once the foundation is complete, the lift team will then lower the house back onto the foundation and reattach it.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Basement Ceiling?
The average cost, whether you choose a dig-down or a house lift, is between $300,000-$400,000. This includes the expenses for design and engineering work, structural alterations, excavation, labor, and finish carpentry to bring the space up to livable conditions.
A dig-down typically has more labor costs associated with it because of the man-hours required to demolish the old slab, dig out the basement, and build a new foundation. A house lift often costs just as much because it requires more work to the exterior of the home, more mechanical and utility changes, and almost always requires replacing the entire foundation. Not to mention, you’re quite literally lifting a house several feet into the air.
How Will Raising My Basement Ceiling Affect My House?
One thing to consider when choosing how to raise your basement head height is the current state of your foundation. The type of foundation you have, its age, and its structural stability will determine which option is better for you.
For most older homes with structurally compromised foundations, a house-lift is almost always the better option. It allows you to totally replace your old foundation while the house is detached. This can greatly extend the life of your home and improve its safety.
However, if you currently have a low-ceiling basement and your foundation is in relatively good condition, a dig-down is likely the best option. Since the basement is already there, it makes for a good staging area from which to begin the project. It also means you won’t have as much digging to do.
Want to start designing your new basement?
Now that you know the process for raising your basement ceiling height, keep up the great research! To help you prepare for your basement renovation, download our free Basement Remodel Buyer’s Guide. In it, you’ll find everything you need to know before beginning a basement remodel, including advice and industry best practices directly from the experts at Lamont Bros.
Every great basement remodel needs a great design to get started. If you’re thinking about remodeling your basement, click the link below to schedule a free consultation with our design team. We’ll walk you through the process of remodeling your basement, step by step, helping you plan and prepare for a great basement remodeling experience.