{"id":10531,"date":"2021-10-18T07:03:04","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T07:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=10531"},"modified":"2021-10-18T07:03:06","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T07:03:06","slug":"how-to-dig-a-basement-with-a-backhoe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-dig-a-basement-with-a-backhoe\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Dig A Basement With A Backhoe?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Digging out your own basement is one of the biggest and most challenging DIY projects you can take on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How you dig and build the basement affects the safety, stability, and livability of the entire house. So you need to make sure you do it right.\u00a0If you are not sure you can do it, hire professionals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, keep in mind that digging a basement takes a lot of time especially if you are doing it alone or with a couple of friends. It\u2019s not exactly a one-weekend project.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything from planning, getting permits, excavating, and building foundation walls could take weeks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is It Legal to Dig My Own Basement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Depositphotos_1128870_s-2019-1.jpg\" alt=\"s It Legal to Dig My Own Basement\" class=\"wp-image-7779\" srcset=\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Depositphotos_1128870_s-2019-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Depositphotos_1128870_s-2019-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Depositphotos_1128870_s-2019-1-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, it\u2019s legal in most states in the US to dig your own basement. In fact, according to a majority of local laws, you can go ahead and build the entire home if you want.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That doesn&#8217;t mean you can wake up and start digging a basement. You\u2019ll need various permits depending on your location and the specifics of your particular basement project (e.g. Is it a new home construction? Are you expanding a crawlspace into a basement?)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you check what permits you\u2019ll need to apply for, read the local code to figure out requirements for basements in your area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, some codes limit basement depth to a certain number of feet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Backhoe vs. Excavator for Digging a Basement&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-use-a-backhoe-on-a-farm\/\">backhoe<\/a> should be adequate for most residential basements. It\u2019s versatile (can dig and carry dirt) and is usually cheaper to rent than an excavator.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, a backhoe has several limitations <a href=\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/backhoe-vs-excavator\/\">compared to an excavator<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Unlike an excavator\u2019s arm that can swing 360 degrees, a backhoe\u2019s arm can only swing from one side to the other. This limits where you can dig and dump dirt. You\u2019ll also need to constantly reposition the backhoe.&nbsp;<\/li><li>An excavator is much faster, and could take up to half the time to dig a basement compared to a backhoe.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><li>An excavator has a longer arm reach, which reduces how often you need to reposition the machine and makes for faster digging.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s our recommendation. If a backhoe is what you have access to, it\u2019ll work. It\u2019ll be a bit more tedious to operate and it\u2019ll take longer to dig the basement, but you can work with it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you are digging a fairly large basement you can save time and effort by using an excavator instead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Dig a Basement With a Backhoe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Depositphotos_332188766_L-1.jpg\" alt=\"How to Dig a Basement With a Backhoe\" class=\"wp-image-10532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Depositphotos_332188766_L-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Depositphotos_332188766_L-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Depositphotos_332188766_L-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Depositphotos_332188766_L-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a step by step guide on how to dig your own basement with a backhoe. Note that we are referring to a new home basement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are digging a basement under an existing house or lowering a crawlspace into a basement, that\u2019s an entirely different animal. We\u2019ll address it further below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Assess the Ground &amp; Location&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you even get started with permits, the first step is to find out whether you can build a basement at all on that particular ground.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever noticed that most homes in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basementguides.com\/why-are-there-no-basements-in-some-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">some states<\/a> like California, Texas and Louisiana do not have basements?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is because of a combination of factors such as culture, climate and soil. The soil in some states is too sandy or the ground is too rocky that building a basement would be really expensive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In states like Florida, the soil is simply too damp and building a basement invites a lot of water and dampness problems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can build a basement in most places, regardless of the soil and ground condition. But, depending on where you live, the cost might not make sense.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are dealing with sandy soil that needs careful digging and reinforcement, a rocky terrain that may require blasting, or damp soil that needs advanced waterproofing, you definitely should not dig the basement yourself. Leave it to the pros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><strong>Note: <\/strong>If you are not sure about the soil situation in your home, we recommend getting an expert to do an analysis. They can tell you what type of soil is there, how close the water table is, and whether you\u2019ll encounter a rocky underground when you start digging.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Ground Preparation&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll need to mark the outline of the basement based on the home plan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by clearing the area of any obstructions like large rocks. You also need to pull out any tree stumps that are in the way. You can use a backhoe to dig up stumps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now use a bright marker to draw lines for the basement, remembering to take into account overdig for the walls. Use flags to mark all corners of the basement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Come Up With a Game Plan&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you get onboard the backhoe and start digging, you need a solid game plan for how you\u2019ll attack the ground.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is especially important when using a backhoe. It\u2019s limited reach and swing means you have to constantly reposition it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are not careful, you might find you\u2019ve dug around yourself and blocked a way to exit out of the hole.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning also ensures you dig the basement quickly and efficiently.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basement sizes and shapes are different, so there isn\u2019t one strategy for all basements. You\u2019ll need to figure out the best one for your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the general strategy that works best in most situations is starting from the farthest point of the basement (opposite where you\u2019ll be entering and exiting) and working backwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Most people prefer to start by digging up a trench around the perimeter. This establishes the outline of the basement and makes it easier to dig the rest of the area to the right depth and grade. Just make sure you don&#8217;t dig a trench all around and lock yourself in.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Start digging from the exit\/entry point but don&#8217;t dig to the full depth of the basement. The goal is to make a slope that the tractor can easily navigate. Having a slope also ensures the bucket of the backhoe can dig deeper to the planned depth of the basement. The slope should continue up to the point where the backhoe bucket can reach the farthest end of the basement.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Activate the backhoe stabilizers until the tractor is level then start digging.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Do not swing the bucket too far to dump the dirt. That will waste your time. Instead, just dump soil just a bit behind where you are digging. You\u2019ll need to move the backhoe backward a bit at a time as you continue digging.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><li>Once the soil has accumulated too much to continue digging. Lift the bucket and back out of the basement. Turn the tractor around such that the loader is leading. Go back down the slope and scoop a load of dirt. Back out slowly and go dump the soil at a designated site. Do not dump the soil too far if it\u2019ll be used to backfill the basement walls once the foundations go up.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Switch between the bucket and loader until you finish digging the entire basement.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A couple of things to keep in mind as you dig:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong><em>N<\/em><\/strong><em><strong>ote 1: <\/strong>Regularly check the depth and grade of the basement as you dig. You may need a laser and grade rod for this. This is especially important for walkout basements where you dig the ground to different depths.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><strong>Note 2: <\/strong>For smaller basements where the arm of the backhoe can reach outside the basement area, consider dumping the soil to the sides of the hole as you dig. This will eliminate the need to switch to the loader. Once you finish, you can use the loader to push or carry the piles of dirt further away from the basement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s it. Double check your work to make sure you\u2019ve stayed true to the measurements that were on paper including depth, length and width, and grade.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need more help digging a basement with a backhoe, here is a helpful video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NxFIFyX35nA\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"JCB 4cx backhoe loader Basement Excavation\" title=\"Play video &quot;JCB 4cx backhoe loader Basement Excavation&quot;\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/NxFIFyX35nA<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NxFIFyX35nA\" title=\"JCB 4cx backhoe loader Basement Excavation\">JCB 4cx backhoe loader Basement Excavation (https:\/\/youtu.be\/NxFIFyX35nA)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I Dig a Basement Under My House?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Digging a basement under your house, or lowering a crawlspace into a basement, is much more complicated and challenging than digging a basement for a new home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The obvious complication here is the existing house.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Digging a basement will compromise the foundation of the house, so you have to figure out a way to support your home and once you are done, connect the existing foundation with the new basement foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another challenge is access.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are making a hole in the grund with no house above it, it\u2019s easy to go in with a backhoe or excavator and dig.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Digging a basement under the house limits what tools and equipment you can use. Forget the convenient backhoe &#8211; you have to do it by hand using smaller tools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s something else to consider &#8211; basements <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zillow.com\/sellers-guide\/does-a-finished-basement-add-value\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">don&#8217;t add<\/a> as much value to your home as you might think. The estimated return on investment on a finished basement is 70%, meaning you actually lose money.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can dig a basement under your home yourself. But it\u2019ll take time (probably years), it\u2019s a lot of work, and carries many risks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you really need to add a basement under your home, the best option is to hire pros. It\u2019ll be expensive, but at least you are sure it\u2019ll be done right and in less time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digging out your own basement is one of the biggest and most challenging DIY projects you can take on.&nbsp; How you dig and build the basement affects the safety, stability, and livability of the entire house. So you need to make sure you do it right.\u00a0If you are not sure you can do it, hire &#8230; <a title=\"How To Dig A Basement With A Backhoe?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-dig-a-basement-with-a-backhoe\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How To Dig A Basement With A Backhoe?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":10532,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[43],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10531"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10531"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10535,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10531\/revisions\/10535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}