We're adding a 2-story addition (19'x22') to our 1937 home, which will be a family room on the first floor with a master bedroom above it. This will not be our final home to grow-old-together in, though we'll probably be here for 3-5 years. The architect drew the plans with 3 options, the least expensive of which is a slab on grade, followed by a crawlspace, followed by a full basement. If we decided against a full basement for financial reasons, is there any argument against a slab on grade as opposed to a crawlspace? Is a slab colder (we'll have hardwood floors in that family room)? A friend said that if we were carpeting it wouldn't make as much of a difference, but with hardwood floors we might find the slab on grade too cool in the New York winter months. Anyone's thoughts appreciated.

 

I'll give you a personal opinion that I had some help coming to.
Go with the crawlspace. I am not sure what type hardwood floor you are going to install (floating,actual hardwood or laminate etc). On a concrete floor the surface would have to be very even. If not it would have to be prepped before the floor was put down (at your expense). A wood subfloor could easily be prepped for whatever type flooring you decide on. I don't believe the cold would be an issue as it would be dealt with at the time of floor installation. Climate control is needed in some applications.
Overall, I really think crawlspace is the way to go. Good luck on your project.

 

Not to disagree with you majak, but if he alreay has a full basement (he doesn't specify), then a full basement under the addition is the way to go. Costwise, its really not that much more, since you are only adding 400 sq ft. It might add in the neighbourhood of $4000 to the price (around here). That 4000 will be well worth it come resale time.

If you only have a crawlspace now, i'd use a crawlspace for the addition.

 

Yes, I have an existing full basement. My contractor wanted $5200 for the full basement, which admittedly, would come in handy, but then, that's another $5200....

 

If you already have the contractor picked, and thats his price, then only you can answer if its worth it. How does the cost compare to a crawlspace? Does he want $5200 more for a basement than slab-on-grade?