What Is Garden Level Vs Walkout Basement

cec4111 [OP]: Deal Addict; Dec 17, 2013; 1399 posts; 884 upvotes; CALGARY

Oct 23rd, 2017 7:27 pm

Walkout basement vs traditional, worth $20k more?

Sorry for the random questions, we are considering few house lots and certain lots which gets a walkout basement are $20k more total price than normal ones. Is it worth and good to have?

Oct 23rd, 2017 7:51 pm

cartfan123: Deal Fanatic; Sep 8, 2007; 9116 posts; 10509 upvotes; Way Out of GTA

Oct 23rd, 2017 7:51 pm

Depends what you value. But having big windows and almost the feel of being above ground can be useful if you plan to finish the basement. An exterior door in the basement gives a good escape route also.

Its not just a cash grab either. There's an additional amount of excavation and concrete needed for a walk out. Remember the footings have to be apx 4 ft lower than the exposed walkout area. So there's real money the builder has to spend to do it.

For me, $20k would be worth it. But it's personal preference.

Oct 23rd, 2017 8:28 pm

Sanyo: Deal Guru; Feb 9, 2009; 11714 posts; 10236 upvotes

Oct 23rd, 2017 8:28 pm

Definitely yes!! It's one of the few things you cant change when the house is built so do it!

Oct 23rd, 2017 8:43 pm

sidde0: Sr. Member; Jul 8, 2008; 922 posts; 323 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 23rd, 2017 8:43 pm

A resounding yes.....you will get way more than $20k in return when you want to sell your place as well. Also, more buyers will visit your home since it has a walkout basement. $20k is worth it.

Oct 23rd, 2017 9:44 pm

ilim: Deal Addict; Jan 17, 2006; 2233 posts; 2356 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 23rd, 2017 9:44 pm

cec4111 wrote: ↑ Sorry for the random questions, we are considering few house lots and certain lots which gets a walkout basement are $20k more total price than normal ones. Is it worth and good to have?

Usually it is more expensive to get walkout basement from builder. But beside the cost I will tell you living in both no walkout and last one with walkout, is feels so much better to have walkout.
I have walkout basement backing up to ravine, I finished basement professionally, built the large deck on main floor and now I can enjoy backyard from main floor and from basement as well.
Basement basically is living area, I have office, gym, bath with shower there and it is full of day light.

Edit: Circumstances could be different, if you have 5000 SF house, may be yo don't need that basement space, also if you have little kids or planning then may be having stairs from deck will be a safety hazard .

Oct 23rd, 2017 10:24 pm

1cat2dogs: Deal Addict; Mar 13, 2017; 1005 posts; 1181 upvotes

Oct 23rd, 2017 10:24 pm

Oct 23rd, 2017 10:53 pm

cec4111 [OP]: Deal Addict; Dec 17, 2013; 1399 posts; 884 upvotes; CALGARY

Oct 23rd, 2017 10:53 pm

ilim wrote: ↑ Usually it is more expensive to get walkout basement from builder. But beside the cost I will tell you living in both no walkout and last one with walkout, is feels so much better to have walkout.
I have walkout basement backing up to ravine, I finished basement professionally, built the large deck on main floor and now I can enjoy backyard from main floor and from basement as well.
Basement basically is living area, I have office, gym, bath with shower there and it is full of day light.

Edit: Circumstances could be different, if you have 5000 SF house, may be yo don't need that basement space, also if you have little kids or planning then may be having stairs from deck will be a safety hazard .

Thanks, but this lot shares back brick fenced wall with a 4 lane road. But the back yard is 90feet length. We are deeply confused as it's such a nice house and backyard, but concerned about resale being it has a road at the back.

Oct 24th, 2017 7:35 am

speedyforme: Deal Guru; Dec 11, 2008; 10147 posts; 1616 upvotes

Oct 24th, 2017 7:35 am

I would say no to the road house. Too close.

Oct 24th, 2017 10:55 am

worldpositive: Member; Mar 25, 2017; 492 posts; 262 upvotes

Oct 24th, 2017 10:55 am

cec4111 wrote: ↑ Thanks, but this lot shares back brick fenced wall with a 4 lane road. But the back yard is 90feet length. We are deeply confused as it's such a nice house and backyard, but concerned about resale being it has a road at the back.

You are lucky to find a house that you like and that has a walkout basement and a friggin 90 FEET BACKYARD !!!. If you like it, chances are that you probably won't move out anytime soon and therefore you will not have to worry about resale value as you will always make higher profit. Just go on kijiji and type "walkout basement" and generally you don't find many ads on Kijiji since they sell really, really fast. No one cares about 4 lane road, its 90 feet away and generally they quiet down at night. People live by CN freight rail tracks and get used to train going at 3:00AM at night, 4 lane road will not affect you. Looks like a friggin, sweet deal.

Oct 24th, 2017 1:27 pm

Chickinvic: Deal Fanatic; Dec 27, 2009; 7583 posts; 4961 upvotes; Victoria, BC

Oct 24th, 2017 1:27 pm

Yes, it is worth it. If given the choice I'd pick walkout basement for sure.

Oct 24th, 2017 2:12 pm

IMHIP2: Sr. Member; Jan 14, 2007; 574 posts; 193 upvotes; GTA North

Oct 24th, 2017 2:12 pm

Looks like I will be in the minority but for me personally it would be NO (unless it's a bungalow perhaps).

I don't want to go to the basement to access the back yard or to BBQ so for me having a walkout requires a raised deck to gain access to/from the main floor. Normally on a new build these decks are barely big enough to hold a BBQ and most likely don't have stairs. So the cost to gain access from the main floor on structurally sound useful sized deck with stairs would be $+++ (our on ground 400 Sq ft deck was $14K so I have no idea on cost to put it 10 ft in the air). This deck will cause any light gained from the large windows to be lost as the deck shades them (assume 10'+ depth)
The walkout is also potential possible access for burglars.
I agree if you have a developed basement and use it for the majority of your living space (hence my bungalow comment above) then yes I can see the appeal

Oct 24th, 2017 4:28 pm

ilim: Deal Addict; Jan 17, 2006; 2233 posts; 2356 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 24th, 2017 4:28 pm

IMHIP2 wrote: ↑ Looks like I will be in the minority but for me personally it would be NO (unless it's a bungalow perhaps).

I don't want to go to the basement to access the back yard or to BBQ so for me having a walkout requires a raised deck to gain access to/from the main floor. Normally on a new build these decks are barely big enough to hold a BBQ and most likely don't have stairs. So the cost to gain access from the main floor on structurally sound useful sized deck with stairs would be $+++ (our on ground 400 Sq ft deck was $14K so I have no idea on cost to put it 10 ft in the air). This deck will cause any light gained from the large windows to be lost as the deck shades them (assume 10'+ depth)
The walkout is also potential possible access for burglars.
I agree if you have a developed basement and use it for the majority of your living space (hence my bungalow comment above) then yes I can see the appeal

I have deck around 200SF with BBQ gas line, costed me less than 10K to build the deck. Plenty of light in basement.
Anyways, to each its own. I lived in both and there is not comparison between regular basement and walkout basement in my opinion. Walkout is just feels like living area, regular feels like, well feels like basement.
If there is no need for extra space in the basement then may be there is no real need for walkout.

Oct 25th, 2017 8:24 am

swales: Deal Addict; Oct 3, 2004; 4000 posts; 711 upvotes

Oct 25th, 2017 8:24 am

IMHIP2 wrote: ↑ Looks like I will be in the minority but for me personally it would be NO (unless it's a bungalow perhaps).

I don't want to go to the basement to access the back yard or to BBQ so for me having a walkout requires a raised deck to gain access to/from the main floor. Normally on a new build these decks are barely big enough to hold a BBQ and most likely don't have stairs. So the cost to gain access from the main floor on structurally sound useful sized deck with stairs would be $+++ (our on ground 400 Sq ft deck was $14K so I have no idea on cost to put it 10 ft in the air). This deck will cause any light gained from the large windows to be lost as the deck shades them (assume 10'+ depth)
The walkout is also potential possible access for burglars.
I agree if you have a developed basement and use it for the majority of your living space (hence my bungalow comment above) then yes I can see the appeal

I'm with you, I have no reason to get backyard access from the basement.

I prefer the option of what some builders call highbacks, you get the big windows etc of a walkout but without the slider door.

Oct 25th, 2017 10:10 am

golden: Deal Fanatic; Jan 15, 2004; 6826 posts; 1369 upvotes

Oct 25th, 2017 10:10 am

I have lived in both and I currently have a walkout basement. It's much better with bigger windows and more light. 10 years ago when I bought my previous house, the builder was asking for about 50k premium for a walkout. $20k is a steal to me. I personally am willing to pay a lot more than $20k for a walkout, after trying out both.

One thing to keep in mind is that my basement is finished. If you have an unfinished basement (or don't plan to finish it), then you don't get as much benefit.

Oct 25th, 2017 10:45 am

Smiley22: Deal Addict; Mar 14, 2006; 1695 posts; 1448 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 25th, 2017 10:45 am

It is definitely worth it. It is like having another floor. Great resale as well.

Oct 25th, 2017 11:13 am

rdx: Deal Fanatic; Jun 7, 2005; 9256 posts; 854 upvotes

Oct 25th, 2017 11:13 am

You are not alone. I like how I can easily just take two steps from my kitchen to the backyard as people usually would go in and out from BBQ area and backyard to the house, and during BBQing, I would go in & out getting stuff & delivering grilled food to the kitchen as well. So, making me and my guests going up and down stairs constantly from main floor to the backyard is pretty inconvenient. And if you decide to make a huge deck on the main level, then space below it is kind of unuseable, and the big deck is blocking sunlight going into the basement.

In terms of basement, mine is an open concept one which is connected to the main floor with regular maple stairs with wide opening, and there are 5 enlarged windows in the basement where I don't need to turn on lights downtstairs in the day time. Thus, my basement is not like those enclosed dark dungeon room but pretty connected to house, and it is bright like other two floors

Anyway, I know lot of people like it especially those who wants to run out the basement.

IMHIP2 wrote: ↑ Looks like I will be in the minority but for me personally it would be NO (unless it's a bungalow perhaps).

I don't want to go to the basement to access the back yard or to BBQ so for me having a walkout requires a raised deck to gain access to/from the main floor. Normally on a new build these decks are barely big enough to hold a BBQ and most likely don't have stairs. So the cost to gain access from the main floor on structurally sound useful sized deck with stairs would be $+++ (our on ground 400 Sq ft deck was $14K so I have no idea on cost to put it 10 ft in the air). This deck will cause any light gained from the large windows to be lost as the deck shades them (assume 10'+ depth)
The walkout is also potential possible access for burglars.
I agree if you have a developed basement and use it for the majority of your living space (hence my bungalow comment above) then yes I can see the appeal

Oct 25th, 2017 12:20 pm

ilim: Deal Addict; Jan 17, 2006; 2233 posts; 2356 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 25th, 2017 12:20 pm

rdx wrote: ↑ You are not alone. I like how I can easily just take two steps from my kitchen to the backyard as people usually would go in and out from BBQ area and backyard to the house, and during BBQing, I would go in & out getting stuff & delivering grilled food to the kitchen as well. So, making me and my guests going up and down stairs constantly from main floor to the backyard is pretty inconvenient. And if you decide to make a huge deck on the main level, then space below it is kind of unuseable, and the big deck is blocking sunlight going into the basement.

In terms of basement, mine is an open concept one which is connected to the main floor with regular maple stairs with wide opening, and there are 5 enlarged windows in the basement where I don't need to turn on lights downtstairs in the day time. Thus, my basement is not like those enclosed dark dungeon room but pretty connected to house, and it is bright like other two floors

Anyway, I know lot of people like it especially those who wants to run out the basement.

I have big deck and plenty of sunlight going through windows and door to the basement, it does not block it, in fact in the summer I put umbrella to block some sun going through. With deck you actually have double area one on deck one under, I have patio under deck with umbrella and swing bed, so very comfy area to enjoy the summer.
BBQ is on the deck so nobody has to run stairs to get the food also can be set on the patio below.
Also, I have a dog which always following me and often needs to go out to backyard, so being the position open the door from basement or from main floor is very convenient. Previously I had to go upstairs with her to let her out from main floor.
Anyways, may be there is not definite answer yes or no to walkout, it is case by case, depending on the house, layout, positioning and basement.