What is the difference between basement floor lowering and a full basement digout?

Both services increase basement ceiling height by removing material from below, but they differ significantly in scope, method, and cost.

Basement floor lowering removes only the existing concrete floor slab and excavates the soil beneath it, then pours a new lower slab. The existing foundation walls and footings remain largely intact. This method typically adds one to two feet of headroom and works best when the existing foundation has adequate depth.

A full basement digout is a more extensive process that can convert a crawl space, a very shallow basement, or a dirt-floor area into a full-height basement. It involves excavating all soil below grade, often underpinning or replacing the existing footings entirely, installing drainage and waterproofing systems, and pouring a complete new concrete floor. A digout can add three to five feet of height and is the right approach when the starting point is a crawl space or a basement with ceilings under five feet.

Scaldino Basement Solutions will assess your current basement conditions and recommend the method that meets your height goals at the appropriate scope and cost.