What Is A Walkout Basement? (Costs, Pros & Cons)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

When it comes to new home features, the amount of different amenities you might run across seem endless. You’ve got jacuzzis, walk-in closets, recessed lighting, and…walkout basements? This term is one that many of us might not be familiar with. It almost seems like a weird type of closet, doesn’t it? So, what is a walkout basement?

A walkout basement features a wall and door that lets you access your backyard. You can expect to pay $47,000-$100,500 for a walkout basement, and that’s more than double a standard basement cost. Daylight basements are the same thing as a walkout basement and they can add value to your home.

If you’re curious about what this amenity can do for you, or how it affects home prices, you’re not alone. This guide will tell you all about one of the most popular basement styles to be found in hilly and terraced areas.

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What Is A Walkout Basement?

One of the biggest problems that people have when designing a home is dealing with a foundation that’s built into a steep incline. This can lead to house that has a lopsided appearance. One of the days to mitigate this is through the use of a walkout basement. This places the house right in the middle of the hill.

With a walkout basement, your basement becomes flush with the backyard, while the front of your house remains flush with the ground floor. This gives you easy access to the backyard, a more balanced look, and also mitigates the steep slope that your house is built into.

Are Daylight Basements The Same Thing As A Walkout Basement?

The term is used interchangeably, but they are technically not the same thing. A daylight basement is a type of walkout basement that comes with windows. This lets natural light in and gives the basement a more homey appearance, rather than the darker appearance that often comes with a lightless basement.

Are Walkout Basements Safe?

Yes. A walkout basement is still going to be just as susceptible to mold, mildew, and moisture as a typical basement will be. The only real difference is that you can enter the home through the door. If this makes you feel a little nervous, add a good lock and a home security device to ensure you’re good to go.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Walkout Basement?

Like with any home addition, there will be upsides and downsides to getting a walkout basement. Figuring out if it’s worth it means knowing what you get as a whole package. Here’s what you should expect if you get one added to your home…

What Are The Perks Of A Walkout Basement?

A walkout basement wouldn’t be considered an amenity without benefits, and walkouts have plenty to discuss. Here’s why people love walkout basements:

  • More Square Footage To Your Home. If you’ve been feeling a little cramped, a walkout basement can serve as an extra room in a way that a regular basement won’t. It can give you the additional space needed to add extra living areas, bathrooms, or bedrooms. Building an apartment in your walkout basement also offers a potential for more income if you choose to rent it out. In most jurisdictions, a regular underground basement will not count as additional square footage.
  • Better Lighting. If you choose to get a daylight basement, you can expect better lighting every day. When compared to conventional underground basements, walkout basements feel much like the rest of your living spaces. This has to do with the fact that a large portion of the space is lit with natural light.
  • A Cozier Basement. Did you ever notice how standard basements tend to look dark and a little uninviting? If so, you will want to invest in a walkout basement. Some people even use their walkout basement as a guest room!
  • More Home Access. You won’t have to take a long walk to get to your backyard. All you have to do is go to your basement and open the door! The additional entrance to your home can also be useful if you plan to run a business from your house. Clients can be filtered away from your personal living space.
  • Higher Property Value. People who are planning to sell their home soon are going to love having that extra cash flow come in at closing. Walkout basements are trendy, you know!

What Are The Downsides Of A Walkout Basement?

Unfortunately, there are going to be downsides with walkout basements, too. Here’s why you may need to think twice before adding one to your home:

  • Higher Property Taxes. This is the big drawback to adding a large extension like a walkout basement to your home. Come tax time, you’ll see a spike in your dues. Unfortunately, this is an issue that will keep coming back year after year until you sell your home.
  • Different Excavation. Adding a walkout basement isn’t going to be easy. Your construction crew will have to excavate differently than they would with a ground-sitting basement. This can lead to increased prices as well as an overall longer project time.
  • Difficulty Finding Contractors. Due to the trickiness that comes with this type of construction, it may be a little more difficult finding someone who is capable of creating the walkout basement that you want. However, this will be the least of your issues as long as you know where to look.
  • Moisture Concerns. Just like a standard underground basement, the walls of your walkout basement are susceptible to moisture and containment problems. Even though only a portion of the basement is open to the outdoors, this issue persists.

Other Factors to Consider

In some homes, walkout basements simply are not an option. If you’re building new construction, a walkout basement is most practical on properties where the land slopes downward toward the back of the home.

Even though the floor of your walkout basement is at soil grade, it still needs to have the proper footing. Also, the slope of the finished soil grade needs to angle downhill so that that water moves away from the house, and more importantly, away from the foundation.

Because of the codes that require living spaces to have an entrance an exit in case of an emergency, underground basements do not add to your square footage and cannot be considered additional living spaces. Therefore, if you decide to add a bedroom in your walkout basement, the bedroom itself must have a door that can access the outdoors. If it does not, your basement will not be up to code.

How Much Do Walkout Basements Cost?

Let’s say that you are looking at getting a basement addition, but you’re not sure what will work well for your budget. If you choose to get a walkout basement, you are looking at a price range between $47,000 and $100,500 for its creation. A regular basement will be around $20,000 to $30,000 cheaper.

The price of walkout basements will vary depending on how much extra work you will need to do. If you already have some of the necessary foundations, it could be cheaper. However, most people will need to get extra excavation plus additional grading to make this work. If you want a fully finished basement, you’ll need to spend an additional $22,000 to $50,000 for fixtures and amenities.

How Much Are Walkout Basements Worth?

Part of figuring out whether a walkout basement is right for you is knowing whether or not you’ll get your money back. If you have a walkout basement, you can expect to see a return on the sale that’s approximately 70 to 80 percent of what you put into it. This means that you can expect your walkout basement to be worth approximately $32,000 to $80,000 once you sell your home.

Obviously, you’re not going to recover all your costs from doing this add-on. So, is it worth it? If you intend on using this addition on a regular basis before you sell your home, it could be. To get the most value back from your remodeling, make a point of outfitting the room with what your home needs the most, and choose nice amenities to go with it.

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Our Final Take

A walkout basement is an excellent addition to any home, especially if you have limited land but want to add more square footage to your place. It can boost your home’s value, be a welcome way to house guests, and also make it easier to navigate your house, and even give you a good view of your backyard. Depending on what you do, it can be one of the best improvements money can buy.

However, it’s important to realize that not everyone should consider adding a walkout basement. Since these are expensive, involved, and high-profile projects, they can hit your wallet harder than you expect. Before you sign a contract, make sure you have the money to afford the expansion as well as the property taxes. Otherwise, things might get too pricey to handle.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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