Home Building FAQ: What Happens If My Lot Does Not Allow For A Walk Out Basement Door?

This blog series answers common home building questions. My goal is to provide you with a quick answer (300 words or less!) to a question and when I can, give you resources to find more information on the topic. 

Today’s question is – What Happens If My Lot Does Not Allow A Walk Out Basement Door?

This is one of those lot dependent questions we get asked all the time. As part of our Signature Features, we include a walkout basement exit in all of our homes. A walkout basement means you can literally open the basement door and step out onto grade. Achieving a walkout basement is entirely dependent on the natural grade of your lot. I’ve written a lot about the best way to site your home on your lot (this is a really good post to read). I always try to follow one rule of thumb – follow the grade God intended. I’ve seldom seen a “good” reason for forcing a walkout.

Here is a natural walkout condition…

So what happens if the grade on your lot doesn’t accommodate a walk out basement exit? Easy – we will built you an areaway (concrete steps from the basement slab up to grade). Utilizing an areaway is an easy (and often less expensive) way to keep your home sited with the natural grade. And you can usually tuck them away on the side of the house so you have full use of your backyard.

Whether or not your lot will accommodate a walk out basement, your best bet is to work with your site engineer to determine the best way to situation your home. For more information on how to site your home on your lot, check out this post!

Dream Big. Build Smart.