In this blog I’d like to address some questions about crawl space conversions. My name is Ricardo, and I work as the Sales Manager for Gold’s Concrete, a locally owned and operated concrete company from Denver, Colorado that has earned a reputation for reliability in executing crawl space conversions.  

The questions we’ll address in this blog are: 

• What is a crawl space to basement conversion? 
• How long does a crawl space conversion take? 
• How much does a crawl space conversion cost?  
• Is a crawl space conversion worth the investment? 

What is a crawl space to basement conversion? 

A crawlspace to basement conversion is a process of digging out the crawlspace area beneath the home and converting it to a full basement. This is done by digging first outside of the home and cutting an access point into the crawlspace area. Conveyer belts are used to assist in hand digging certain areas of the floor down to accommodate for the desired ceiling height. Temporary support beams will go up and sections of dirt will remain beneath the existing foundation while other sections are dug down further in order to pour a new, deeper foundation. This process of underpinning is done in stages in order to provide adequate support to the existing structure as dirt is being removed from beneath it. When all of the excess dirt has been removed and the floor is down to the desired height, the remaining sections of the new foundation and a new concrete floor will be poured. The basement is now in place and ready for remodel. 

How long does a crawl space conversion take? 

Because the crawlspace area is typically cramped and difficult to access, the conversion process can be meticulous. For example, in a 20’ X 20’ enclosed area there may only be enough space for two men and a wheelbarrow to work efficiently. Those two men may be at work removing dirt from that area for three weeks before the project can move on to the next phase. Obstacles such as a tight squeeze between the home and the neighboring property typically don’t allow for full access of heavy equipment and hence we rely heavily on manpower and old fashioned techniques. Invariables such as a giant boulder or an old foundation unearthed from beneath the soil are common and can also cause delays. Gold’s Concrete is typically on a basement dig out for three to four months. That means anywhere from two to six guys on site working at any given time during a normal work day.  

How much does a crawl space conversion cost? 

A full 2′ deep crawl space to 8′ ceiling height basement conversion, fully contracted out to a reputable builder in the Denver area, can cost anywhere from $250 to $500 per square foot. Of course there are ways to save on the project, for example by taking on the work of the general contractor and sub-contracting the different scopes of work out yourself. This would cost a significant amount of time in research, contractor vetting, negotiating agreements, being present on site and overall management of the job, but if time is available to you it may be worth it to consider this as an option.

A homeowner in Englewood, Colorado took on the work load his 900 sq ft basement conversion himself. It was a six foot high ceiling and he hated it. He wanted more use out of his space, so he grabbed a jack hammer and busted out the old floor. He hauled pieces of concrete out by hand and then grabbed some buckets and kept right on hauling out dirt and concrete. He rented a conveyor belt, backed a trailer up to one end, put the other end down through an egress window, and got back to digging.

Ultimately he was able to get the entire project down to around $50 per square foot. Gold’s Concrete was contracted to do a small portion of it for some technical applications that required equipment and crew, and he was able to negotiate a fair price on that as well. So that is more or less the range of overall cost I have seen on these kinds of basement conversion projects. Gold’s Concrete typically comes in from around $175 to $300 per square foot for the excavation and installation of new concrete walls, footers and floors.

Is a crawl space conversion worth the investment? 

The process of converting your crawl space into a basement will immediately increase the value of your property, especially if it’s finished with high-end features and amenities. This can be a great investment whether you’re looking to sell your property at a higher price in the near future or to make the most of your property in the long run. A deeper analysis can and should be done on the value of your specific property vs a similar property in the same area, but with the added square footage of the home. Run the numbers and you may be pleasantly surprised at the opportunity. 

See the full corresponding video to this blog below.