Hello,
I’m new to the forum and had a few questions.
I’m in the planning stage for adding a basement/underground emergency shelter to my house. I live in a warm, dry climate and I had been thinking of building a 40′ by 30′ basement. With regard to this, a few questions:
1) On average, how much should I expect to spend to excavate a 40′ wide x30′ long by 10′ deep hole?
2) How much can I expect to spend if I have a subcontractor pour the foundation?
3) I’m planning on building the walls using cinder blocks. As this will be an underground structure, would it be prudent to build the walls using two cinder blocks-that is, place two cinder blocks side-by-side (thus having a wall that is two cinder blocks wide), or should a wall of one-cinderblock width be structurally sound?
4) Herein lies the biggest problem: if the structure is to be buried under two feet of earth, should I a) use steel studs to form the skeletal structure for the roof and create a flat roof for this structure, or would wood beams (specifically 2*4’s) be strong enough to support the weight?
Like I said. Planning stages.
Replies
There's no way to answer your question regarding costs. Steel studs or 2x4 are not going to be strong enough for the roof. Single width wall is OK. Roof should be reinforced concrete with steel beams to hold it up. Prestressed concrete would be best.
I would just build a small storm cellar myself.