# Steps to Put a Basement Under a House
Things You'll Need
- House jack
- Front loader and Bobcat
- Shovel and bucket
- Steel beams and supports
- Concrete mix
- Pressure-treated wood framing
Instructions
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1
Test the soil under your house. Soil conditions and makeup will affect digging. Clay soil may slow digging and rocky soil may make the project impossible.
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2
Jack up the house with a professional-grade jack and install stilts, or cribs, under the house. It's also helpful, and sometimes even necessary, to install additional supports to avoid damage to your house.
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3
Remove the dirt under the house. Creating an entry into the basement cuts digging time. Use a front loader if it'll fit into your access point; otherwise use buckets and shovels.
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4
Frame the new basement with pressure-treated wood framing. The floor should be flat, level and parallel with the house floor.
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5
Pour the concrete for the floor and walls. Call for the concrete only when you are ready to use it and be prepared to pour it quickly.
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6
Return the house to its location. Use proper equipment to avoid damage to the house or foundation. Rest the house level on the ground to avoid cracking the foundation.
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