I want to dig out the crawl space & make a basement
room. Is this a good idea?

I read about your book and I was more interested in your
professional advice.
If I bought your book/services could you help me with the
following questions

1.  Converting part of crawlspace to a single basement room (7'
-4'
crawlspace) (15 x 20 room)
2.  When digging out the crawlspace how far away do you need
to stay away
from the existing footings
3.  Time needed to dig out 22 Cubic yards of clay/dirt
4.  To convert or not to convert a small formal dining room to a
study
5.  To either convert a crawlspace to a single basement room
or to lower the
crawlspace ceiling (making the room above 10' ceilings instead
of 8')
6.  Best way to modify my existing floor plan to accomidate
stairs for a 2nd story.
7.  Can you dig deeper than an existing footing, if you are far
enough away from the footing?

Thank you,
Michael

Michael,
I can take care of all your questions about digging out a crawl
space very simply. My advice is, don't do it.  I have witnessed
more problem dig outs than I care to remember. They quickly
become very expensive affairs with not much in return when
finished. Problems galore with water seepage, cracking
foundation walls, house settling etc to name just a few. I have
been called by any number of homeowners who have been left
high & dry (wet?) by the contractor who was in over his head. I
also refused to take on any digout work from any homeowner
whatever the price.

You are much better off adding the room to the first floor (or
second floor). The cost will not be that much more & you will
have added more value to your house. Finished basements
add little value to the house even if they are done well.
Lowering the floor to make a 10' ceiling sounds like a better
idea to me by far.

I can't answer your stair location question because each job is
different from the last. The only thing I can add is that you must
remember that the best place for the staircase is usually near
the center of the floor plan. The person reaching the top of the
staircase should have a choice of directions in which to turn.

The only book that would be of interest to you would be the
"Second Story" book or if you decide to take my advice & add a
first floor addition then buy the "Room Addition" book.
I hope this helps & I hope you take my advice about the dig out.

Regards,
Bill Harbrecht