[yugbear]

Our house is under construction in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Initially builder agreed to construct 9ft high basement walls but they poured only 8ft concrete walls for the basement. Now the builder is telling they will raise the basement height to 9ft by means of framing. I am worried about the structural strength and other potential issues of not having 9 ft concrete walls for the basement. As of today construction status is 8ft concrete walls are done and basement concrete floor is done. So still there is an option to pour another feet of concrete on the current walls as the framing is not started.

My concern is about possible issue of raising the basement height just by framing, what are the possible issues of this solution? Or should I insist the builder to increase the concrete wall by pouring another feet of concrete?

Thanks much in advance,
Yug

[ma0641]

Raising by concrete would be preferred. However, most walk out basement walls are wood framed and in my house, it is a bearing wall. They can build a wood frame of 2X6 and set trusses or I joist or straight wood joist. Many houses are constructed using a total wood foundation.

[creahands]

As long as the foundation is above grade you will have no problem with framing to raise the basement ceiling height to 9 feet.

Don't know what the layout for windows in basement is but if not installed correctly it could cause a problem with finishing inside.

My basement ceiling is raised with 18 inches of framing and house was built in 1972.

Chuck

[smearcase]

I believe that properly designed additional framing will be more structurally sound than a one foot deep, cold joint concrete extension (just my opinion).
However, the construction is not "per plan" and possibly not in compliance with the contract (I am assuming those documents exist). Additionally, what do the permit/code enforcement officials have to say about this situation? You may at minimum have grounds for a price adjustment, if nothing else. Did the contractor save himself one foot of excavation, form differences, quantity of concrete etc. ? You are not receiving what you paid for if there are plans and specs applying here.