How to Dig a New Basement

Adding a basement to your home is one way to increase square footage if your property is too small to build on or your attic space it too tiny to create an additional room. In order to build a new basement, you should first have the soil underneath your home inspected. Have the foundation of your home inspected as well to see if you can dig a new basement without destroying your home in the process.

Things You'll Need

• Floor leveling jacks
• Shovels
• Jackhammer
• Steel beams
• Professional contractor

Instructions

How to Dig a New Basement

1. Start by having the soil under your home inspected. If the soil is mostly rock, you may not be able to move ahead with the project. If the soil is clay based, it is fine for digging.

2. Use floor leveling jacks and steel beams to lift your home off the ground. Insert steel beams where necessary to prevent the house from sinking into the ground or becoming unstable.

3. Remove the earth underneath to create space for your new basement. This may require you to rent heavy equipment or hire help to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time.

4. Hire a professional contractor to build the new foundation and basement space.

5. Reattach your home to the foundation using specialized equipment. A professional contractor will be able to do this for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to add a basement to your home unless you know what you're doing.

• If the foundation of your home is in bad condition, consider having it replaced while digging a new basement.