Dig out my basement

[ray66v]

The ground was solid hard clay, which was firm, and stable under the house we did. So, we left the original footings, and walls in place.

We dug 2' inside of them, and put in additional footings and block walls, that came up 4'. This resulted in a 24" wide ledge all the way around the basement, at about 4' above the floor.

No jacking, or bracing was done. The house never settled, or moved as a result.

The basement was large. So, the 2' of floor space was not needed. And, the ledge actually made a good storage area.

It also made the job a lot easier.

 

[Ralco]

I don't know if I will build a full basement, if there was a 4' crawl space than I would have a enough room to get in there to do the pumbing, electrical, and furnace ducts.

Ralph

 

[Everhard]

Well you have to decide if you're going 4 or 8 feet as that makes a big difference. (One of your early posts you said 8 feet.) If you're only going 4 I'd check how deep the current footings are. If they are at 4 feet already then it's just a matter of manual labor and dig the basement out. Pick your poison on which version you want to go with.
Me I'd go with the open one section of wall option so that I could get any number of suggested bit of machinery to simplify/speed up the job. If it was an option I'd go with one of the "short" sides so that you would work down the whole length assuming it's a rectangular space.

Also if your footings go to 4' and that's what you decide you're happy with then at least you're saving that major cost of redoing your whole foundation.

Frankly I have to ask if you're not interested in going the full depth then I have to assume you're not planning on really "using" that space so why go to the bother in the first place? If it's only to simplify access for running wiring or plumbing I'd suggest instead of putting the time and money into digging out the basement I'd instead on those rare occasions that you're needing wiring or plumbing done pay some one else to do that under the existing space. I think you said you have 18" of clearance? that's enough for any good plumber or electrician to work with.

E.

 

[Ralco]

I thought of that to, I do have a 6' x 14' addition added to existing structure on the side that has plumbing and electrical I want to get back in there it needs to get insulated better. I have to be home most of time so I might as as well keep myself busy.
Ralph

 

[farm boy00]

That looks like an old burkeen or vermeer vibratory plow

All I know it is a ex-trencher. I'm sure it was a walk behind/along because its top speed is walking speed. But it beats a shovel in the hard clay ground I'm in

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

I thought of that to, I do have a 6' x 14' addition added to existing structure on the side that has plumbing and electrical I want to get back in there it needs to get insulated better. I have to be home most of time so I might as as well keep myself busy.
Ralph

I just can't imagine trying to dig that much out while laying down / on your knees / hunched over. 4' is really low.
More power to you but for me that would get old quick.

I think some kind of grain elevator with paddles would be in order but I don't know how the chain would deal with the dirt.

 

[Ralco]

there is a open block wall by stairway I will knock out than I will put a door in later all digging will be standing.
Ralph

 

[ultrarunner]

I had a crawl space of maybe 15" under the floor joists in one home and it made everything problematic...

One summer paid some neighborhood kids to dig it out... they did a great job and I think it was $400 to get 32" all around... everyday I would dump my trailer and bring it back empty...

I doubt kids would do this today... they all had plenty of better dust masks and small pick/mattocks.

 

[ultrarunner]

I had a crawl space of maybe 15" under the floor joists in one home and it made everything problematic...

One summer paid some neighborhood kids to dig it out... they did a great job and I think it was $400 to get 32" all around... everyday I would dump my trailer and bring it back empty...

I doubt kids would do this today... they all had plenty of better dust masks and small pick/mattocks.

 

[Cord]

I've excavated several basement and crawl spaces and the best method that I've found is to use a hydroexcavation. Typically we use a dry method so it's less messy. Basically the truck is a massive vacuum cleaner and you just suck the material out. Shop around because the rates can get expensive with the union guys. The owner-operators will sometimes reduce their rates for a home owner. If not, ask them to refer you to someone. Using this method I found the guy that I use. The last project took 1.5 days to remove 3' of material and cost us $1,500.