Finished basement or not?

[ed bunting]

Can anyone clarify whether a full basement,finished in every other way, but maintains heat only via the hot water pipes which supply the first floor radiators with heat, would be considered to be finished basement area? These pipes are exposed and encompass the entire basement perimeter just below the basement ceiling. The gas hot water furnace is also located in the basement. The basement is warm as a result of the exposed pipes,... is it considered to be "heated", since there are no actual radiators in the basement. (Richmond, VA)

 

[Brockway]

I see you are in Virginia. If you were in western New York I would probably call it finished but would not include the basement in the gross living area. The contributory value would depend on many factors. Full walk-out basements are typically more desirable than a below grade finished basement. Other factors would be the quality of your finish, percent finished and other amenties (bathrooms, fireplaces, etc). It really depends on what is common for your area.

 

[Greg Bell]

finished basement does not require heat.

 

[Mr Rex]

"Finished in every other way" but exposed piping below ceiling? Not exactly similar finish to above grade areas now is it? In any case, dependant on the market, below grade space may have contributory value similar to above grade space or may offer little contributory value. I would not consider a basement with exposed piping below the ceiling to be 100% finished, but it doesn't make it unfinished, just less value than fully finished.

 

[TW Gray]

As always below grade is below grade and for the most part is NOT to be included in above grade room count or gross living area. If the quality of finish is builder quality, the lower level is exposed or a walkout, and is primary living space, you could include in the above grade room count and gross living area. However, you need to talk about it and do the same to the comparables. Just because there are heat pipes that keep the basement warm wouldn't mean finished in our area. It would depend on the rest of the finish. Sometimes people just paint the cement walls or put a throw rug on the painted cement floor. This would be considered unfinished and would be discussed in the report and explained why it was not considered.

 

[Zero]

As always below grade is below grade and for the most part is NOT to be included in above grade room count or gross living area. If the quality of finish is builder quality, the lower level is exposed or a walkout, and is primary living space, you could include in the above grade room count and gross living area. However, you need to talk about it and do the same to the comparables. Just because there are heat pipes that keep the basement warm wouldn't mean finished in our area. It would depend on the rest of the finish. Sometimes people just paint the cement walls or put a throw rug on the painted cement floor. This would be considered unfinished and would be discussed in the report and explained why it was not considered.

Just to clarify, per ANSI, below grade is ALWAYS below grade and NEVER included in above grade room count or gross living area. Whether it is "builder quality" or not is insignificant. ANSI--Read it. Learn it. Live it. Don't just make it up ("talk about it") as you go along in the report.

 

[Otis Key]

Just to clarify, per ANSI, below grade is ALWAYS below grade and NEVER included in above grade room count or gross living area. Whether it is "builder quality" or not is insignificant. ANSI--Read it. Learn it. Live it. Don't just make it up ("talk about it") as you go along in the report.

Excellent observation Andrew, but I might suggest a little more tact for a "newbie" to the forum, right or wrong.

Once you've PO'd some of the "ole timers" (and I'm still a newbie myself), then you might attempt the direct attack, or not. But you are correct - 100$%

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Would be called..."partially finished" IN MY MARKET.

 

[DH Wilson]

"adjustments for full or partially finished basements were made based on level of quality and utility of the finished area" or something like that. I have adjusted finished basements from 1000 to 100000 dollars based in quality and utility of finish. it all depends in how good it is, but i usually dont count as finished unless there is a ceiling (not exposed rafters), walls and flooring (not painted cement)also no exposed appliances (furnace h/w heater etc...) in view in the finsihed area. and there has to be a thermostatically controlled heat source.

 

[K100RTMinn]

nvm already answered.