Main > Everything Else
I want a game room! Should I build an UNDERGROUND LAIR or move?
Malenko:
ok ok, without a game room......for now.
fix't :P
javeryh:
Level42: I didn't know pre-fab basements existed. I'm not sure about the US but it is something I will look into - especially if it will save some cost. I'm definitely above sea level - it would be interesting to dig a giant hole in the back yard and then drop a prefab concrete room down there!
HarumaN: I have not looked into building codes or anything yet - good idea! I'm still in the preliminary design phase (scribbling on a napkin!) but just about every house on my block has an addition so I don't think it will be a problem (although my underground proposal might be even though in theory I don't see why anyone would object to what you can't see). I have looked at the setbacks on my property and I will be well within them for whatever I end up doing.
Malenko: You are 100% right about it costing way more than whatever the estimate ends up being I am sure. Going without the gameroom/home theater/bar isn't an option though! I am pretty frugal, I live in a modest house, I spend below my means, I have no debt (other than my mortgage), I don't drive fancy cars and I don't have any super expensive hobbies other than arcade machines which isn't that expensive (but I have no room for them!). In order to move into a larger house in my town I'll likely have to spend about $200,000 more than what I'm currently paying for my house so if I can keep the addition in the $100,000-$120,000 range then I guess I come out ahead, right? Of course I could do nothing but I'm in my mid 30s and I've always wanted a kick ass gameroom/home theater/bar - it's time to make this happen or before I know it I'll be too old to enjoy it! :cheers:
HanoiBoi:
First off, are your requirements the same as your wife's? If not, please mark this as a dead thread. ;)
Some people that I know of (and some I know) have done away with the traditional 'dining room' and 'formal living room' and used those areas for bars, pool tables etc. This could be an option if you have rooms like these that don't get any use. And, if your family is 'cool' with it.
It's a shame to waste that < 6ft basement area though. Regardless of the stone, I imagine it could be waterproofed for a price. Excavate the exterior and waterproof from there (not sure about the floor). If your family is 'small', that space could be used for kids' rooms, I'd guess, freeing up other areas?
If you go the 'addition' route, must it be with a basement? If you can build an addition off the main, could that be your game room?
Also, don't be too quick to rule out a bigger house in your town due to pricing. Housing prices are down, even in NJ. If you've got the time, it can't hurt to contact a Realtor and give them your specs/requirements and let them do the work for you!
javeryh:
The wife is on board. She knows it's something I've always wanted AND I decided to trade something for the rights to build the room. I've been on the Giants season ticket waiting list since 1989. This past year they FINALLY called! I was so excited until I heard the ridiculous cost - they wanted $15,000 for the PSL (one time fee) and $8,000 per year for the tickets!! My lovely wife gave me the green light to get the tickets but I told her in exchange for the tickets I wanted to build a nice home theater with a mini bar and gameroom in some hypothetical house some day. Plus, I don't have $23,000 just laying around. So no tickets but hopefully I'll have a 100" HD screen to watch the games in the few years.
There's no way she would go for turning a room on the main floor into a game room - there is no space and I don't think I'd like that either. She already puts up with a DK in the dining room and that's enough!! Our basement really is unusable - I have to duck at all times down there so it would be really bad if we lost some space due to a proper ceiling. Also, the floor leaks too - it isn't level and everything is graded so that water goes to one spot down there where a drain has been installed. It is definitely a shame but we use the basement for storage and laundry.
I am going to contact a realtor and see what's out there - we are in no rush so it can't hurt to look around. :cheers:
LLUncoolJ:
There should be a way to divert the water from your basement, but you will have to dig around the house and put in drainage tile, plus you need a place to dump or pump it. The low ceilings are a bigger problem. I don't know if it is possible to dig it out except by hand, leaving the only other option: jack the hose up and build up the foundation and setthe house back.
As far as an addition, a .13 acre lot doesn't leave you much space. Keep in mind, if you build a larger basement than main floor, you are going to have troubles with water leaking, unless you build a ground level roof (which would look silly). I'm afraid your best bet is to move. Either sacrifice living in town or shell out the big bucks.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version