Home extensions are generally carried out to add more functional space to existing houses. The traditional way of creating more living space in existing homes has been to extend upwards or outwards. However, there is another option that not so many homeowners are aware of — the 'house raise and build under' approach. This approach involves raising a house and then building under it, as the name clearly suggests.
If you are considering extending your existing house, here are a number of typical circumstances when raising the house to get the extra living space you need might be a smart approach.
When you do not have enough yard space.
Homeowners with a large yard have the privilege of being able to extend out whenever they need more functional space in their homes. But the same cannot be said for those with a small-size yard. If you have a small yard, and you do not want to sacrifice it for the extra living space that you need, building under the existing house is an attractive alternative. This approach is also recommended when building outwards would lead to a violation of footprint restrictions imposed by your local council. Therefore, building under is a clever way to avoid the restrictions that may be imposed by not having a large yard.
When the existing structure cannot support a storey addition.
Before you can add a new storey on top of an existing house, the house must be able to support the weight of extension. If your house lacks the structural load bearing capacity required to allow for the construction of a new storey, you can consider building under it. This way, it is the ground that will directly carry the weight of the extension, not your house.
When you want to use your house as a top storey.
The 'house raise and build under' approach is also ideal for those contemplating doubling up their living space by constructing a new storey on ground level and then placing their transportable house above it to serve as a top storey.
It is important for homeowners to understand that the 'house raise and build under' approach is not appropriate for all houses and that it is not necessarily better than the other house extension approaches. It is all about the circumstances under which an extension project has to be executed. Therefore, you should consult a construction contractor first before deciding if this kind of house extension is suitable for your house.
