Habitable cellar or service cellar

The countless decisions to make when building a house seem never-ending. Not even when it comes to the subject of the basement. Here a fundamental distinction is made between residential basements and service basements. You can find out in our article what you should consider when choosing the right cellar and why you should think twice about your choice.

Why is the choice of cellar so important?

Only by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of cellar types with your ideas and wishes can you make a decision that you will not regret later. Basically a cellar always offers a big advantage: more living space! And all this without increased land costs, since the existing building land can be optimally used with a cellar. But here lies the first obstacle: the additional space obviously isn’t free. For the basement construction project, builders therefore have to budget a little more money than the construction budget.

Storage room for free residential use with service cellar

But there are also cellar solutions for a slightly lower budget that create additional space for storage and storage: the service cellar. A service cellar is a little cheaper, since no insulation other than thermal insulation of the ceiling is needed for the living space. This minimizes the costs of building a cellar. However, your cellar will remain a cold room intended exclusively for storage!

Ideal place for home technology

This is particularly suitable for accommodating different building and heating technologies. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a solar system with buffer storage, a pellet heating system or a space-intensive heat pump: you will find sufficient storage space in your cellar.

For more space in your home

And even if you don’t need bulky heating technology, the cellar is still useful: additional storage space offers better use of the actual living space. Anything that takes up valuable space in your home can go in the basement. This way you will have as much free space as possible in your living solution. In a dry, frost-protected cellar with adequate moisture protection in a black or white tub, even delicate items such as furniture or excess clothing can be stored without problems.

An investment for more living space: the habitable cellar

Every builder who has more in his pocket than the minimum basement budget should also think about the possibility of a habitable basement. Because a residential basement is much more expensive than a service basement due to the necessary expansion required by state regulations. But it also offers more options. To be classified as a residential basement, the space must meet some necessary requirements:

Shell height of approx. 2.50 meters
Sufficient thermal insulation
Adequate exposure with natural light windows
Heating

A cellar with countless possibilities

These measures transform the basement into a comfortable living space with plenty of space, light and high ceilings. You can use this additional space in various ways. Everything is possible, from the hobby room to the wellness area, from the work or guest area, to the independent apartment.

MARE expert advice: However, the investment is not free. An ideal solution for all builders who like to keep all options open. Once a service cellar has been built, it is difficult to transform it into a habitable cellar in a cost-effective way. As a builder, you should think in advance about what corresponds to your individual wishes.

Grandma’s apartment as an additional source of income

A particularly advantageous solution is the grandmother’s apartment. This can also be sublet and thus amortize the construction costs in the long term. And even if the additional space is not used as intended, it still offers storage space.

Conclusion: an individual question

The choice between a habitable cellar or a service cellar depends entirely on your individual situation. Your home vision and affordable budget should be taken into consideration when planning your basement. Because with proper planning the space under your home offers room for almost unlimited possibilities.

We will be happy to advise you individually on the different options and draw up a construction plan that corresponds exactly to your ideas. Simply contact us for a no-obligation initial consultation using our contact form or call us now on 03843 – 501 968 08. We look forward to your inquiry!