Upgrade main floor ceiling to 10 ft. vs 9 ft. ceiling basement ?

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Apr 12th, 2022 10:50 am

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Jul 29th, 2021 1:03 pm

DealToBeMade [OP]: Newbie; Mar 1, 2020; 24 posts; 15 upvotes

Jul 29th, 2021 1:03 pm

Upgrade main floor ceiling to 10 ft. vs 9 ft. ceiling basement ?

Hello everyone,
I'm in need of an opinion. Bought a pre-construction in Caledon (Caledon Trails ), at the signing builder giving 9 ft ceiling for main floor and 2nd floor as an incentive for purchasing at phase 1. I'm contemplating if i should upgrade the main floor to 10 ft. for 30k or use the 30k and upgrade the basement ceiling for 9ft since im already getting 9 ft. on main floor for free. I want to know what's my best ROI. Will the re-sale of the house increase more for 10ft main or 9 ft. basement? If i were to finish the basement, will that attract more for rent with 9ft vs 8 ft ceiling ? Thanking you in advance.

27 replies

Jul 29th, 2021 1:39 pm

senasena: Deal Addict; Feb 19, 2019; 1971 posts; 3097 upvotes; Stouffville ON

Jul 29th, 2021 1:39 pm

Depends on the size of the house, for a small house 9 feet is enough on the main, if the house is over 3000 square feet with open concept main floor 10 foot will ad to the feeling of luxury.

Full Time and Full Service Realtor

+2

Jul 29th, 2021 1:55 pm

ChadFullStack: Newbie; Dec 28, 2020; 60 posts; 118 upvotes

Jul 29th, 2021 1:55 pm

If you have the budget, get both 10ft main and 9ft basement. If you have to choose between the 2, get 9ft basement. The reason being that with 8ft basement, some areas with bulkhead will result in only 6ft clearance which will make your basement feel small. With a 9ft basement, the lowest point will be 7ft which won't be as noticeable.

+1

Jul 29th, 2021 2:56 pm

jmc111: Deal Addict; Mar 10, 2014; 3443 posts; 3726 upvotes

Jul 29th, 2021 2:56 pm

I would do 10ft ceilings on the main floor. It will make the home more airy when you enter. The basement is subjective as it all depends on the discrete buyer (if you sell one day). Square footage is only calculated for area above ground.

+2

Jul 29th, 2021 3:31 pm

seatiger: Deal Addict; Mar 30, 2017; 1214 posts; 975 upvotes; GVA

Jul 29th, 2021 3:31 pm

get both, worth the resale value.
High ceiling is something you cant modify later.

profit on 6/23/2021 = 117.61% since 11/10/2020 to be exact😎

+5

Jul 29th, 2021 3:32 pm

oasis100: Deal Fanatic; Mar 27, 2004; 8919 posts; 7117 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 29th, 2021 3:32 pm

Yes both

Full-time Realtor

+2

Jul 29th, 2021 3:57 pm

SargeJ: Member; Jan 16, 2021; 339 posts; 155 upvotes

Jul 29th, 2021 3:57 pm

Both.

If you have to choose, Main to 10feet imo.

Most ppl will view your house on the main, basement is not a frequent visit place compare to main.
Increase your basement height if you plan to be down there a lot, but from resale 10 ft main adds a lot more premium. Again, my opinion

+1

Jul 29th, 2021 4:15 pm

danfromwaterloo: Deal Guru; Sep 14, 2003; 10955 posts; 1065 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 29th, 2021 4:15 pm

DealToBeMade wrote: ↑ Hello everyone,
I'm in need of an opinion. Bought a pre-construction in Caledon (Caledon Trails ), at the signing builder giving 9 ft ceiling for main floor and 2nd floor as an incentive for purchasing at phase 1. I'm contemplating if i should upgrade the main floor to 10 ft. for 30k or use the 30k and upgrade the basement ceiling for 9ft since im already getting 9 ft. on main floor for free. I want to know what's my best ROI. Will the re-sale of the house increase more for 10ft main or 9 ft. basement? If i were to finish the basement, will that attract more for rent with 9ft vs 8 ft ceiling ? Thanking you in advance.

I'd go the 10ft main myself because you spend the most amount of time there. Basements are usually for kids.

4chan melts your brain.

Jul 29th, 2021 4:26 pm

Georgey: Newbie; Jun 4, 2010; 76 posts; 27 upvotes

Jul 29th, 2021 4:26 pm

DealToBeMade wrote: ↑ Hello everyone,
I'm in need of an opinion. Bought a pre-construction in Caledon (Caledon Trails ), at the signing builder giving 9 ft ceiling for main floor and 2nd floor as an incentive for purchasing at phase 1. I'm contemplating if i should upgrade the main floor to 10 ft. for 30k or use the 30k and upgrade the basement ceiling for 9ft since im already getting 9 ft. on main floor for free. I want to know what's my best ROI. Will the re-sale of the house increase more for 10ft main or 9 ft. basement? If i were to finish the basement, will that attract more for rent with 9ft vs 8 ft ceiling ? Thanking you in advance.

If you had to choose and you are 100% sure you will finishing the basement, I would choose the basement. There is a lot of ductwork in the basement and the whole basement will not be 9ft. In cases where there is ductwork, they need to close it off with bulk heads and the height will be 8ft.

+1

Jul 29th, 2021 6:42 pm

RichmondCA: Deal Addict; Mar 2, 2017; 3510 posts; 6822 upvotes; Toronto/Markham

Jul 29th, 2021 6:42 pm

Depends on the house and level of 'luxury' we are talking about. Based on lack of information and having to pick 1 of the 2 then I'd lean towards the 9' ceiling in the basement especially if you have a walkout. If this is a more lux house with a neighbourhood/area to boot where comps are in the 10's on the main then I'd conform to that over basement. Need to match the level of expectation so you are not the anomaly if you can help it.

RE Broker

Jul 30th, 2021 6:33 am

JayLove06: Deal Expert; Feb 29, 2008; 19957 posts; 18710 upvotes; Tarrana & The Ri…

Jul 30th, 2021 6:33 am

If you’re going 10ft make sure you get the tall doors and tall archways to match. Huh ceilings look odd with standard doors. Hopefully that’s included.

I’d go with 10ft on main and 9 in the basement.

Jul 30th, 2021 7:44 am

light2: Member; Sep 25, 2009; 499 posts; 396 upvotes

Jul 30th, 2021 7:44 am

If it's a townhouse, no to both.

If it's a detach, yes to both, but if you had to choose only 1, then the mainfloor > basement.

10ft ceilings are the future just like how 9ft ceiling became the norm. When you walk into a home with 8ft ceiling now, it feels very dated.

Jul 30th, 2021 10:43 am

DealToBeMade [OP]: Newbie; Mar 1, 2020; 24 posts; 15 upvotes

Jul 30th, 2021 10:43 am

Thank you all. Budget only allows us for 1. Detached house around 2500 sqr ft. It's not a walkout, so looks like I'll be going with the 10 ft main and pay more to get taller doors and arches. Unfortunately nothing is free. I was only hesitant because builder is offering free 9 ft on main, i wish i was able to use that offer for the basement and pay for the 10 ft on main. One can wish right.

Jul 30th, 2021 11:06 am

skeet50: Deal Fanatic; Jan 15, 2017; 5442 posts; 5644 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 30th, 2021 11:06 am

From their website it looks like they offer 2500 sq ft models on 30' and 36' lots. I wouldn't bother with 10' ceilings on lots that small. I would spend the money elsewhere.

Jul 30th, 2021 11:15 am

danfromwaterloo: Deal Guru; Sep 14, 2003; 10955 posts; 1065 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 30th, 2021 11:15 am

This is one of those upgrades that you have to take everytime. Only because, you can never redo it later. Windows, flooring, paint, everything else can be redone over time. You can't structurally rebuild your house after it's built.

I have 8 ft ceilings because I wasn't the original owner of this house, and man do I wish I could have gone back and done it.

4chan melts your brain.

Jul 30th, 2021 11:21 am

kittypink: Deal Addict; Jul 4, 2009; 1656 posts; 1055 upvotes; Windsor, ON area

Jul 30th, 2021 11:21 am

Personally, I feel bang for my buck would be 9ft in the basement. They're already giving you 9 ft for free on the main floor.

A house that's over 3000 sq ft needs 10 ft ceilings to feel lux, but if it's under 3000 sq ft, I don't think it matters as much as long as its over 8 ft.

I generally hate basements so making it 9ft instead of 8ft would make it less basement feeling for me, and I actually might be convinced to spend time in the basement.

+2

Jul 30th, 2021 11:27 am

jmc111: Deal Addict; Mar 10, 2014; 3443 posts; 3726 upvotes

Jul 30th, 2021 11:27 am

skeet50 wrote: ↑ From their website it looks like they offer 2500 sq ft models on 30' and 36' lots. I wouldn't bother with 10' ceilings on lots that small. I would spend the money elsewhere.

New homes generally come with 9" foot ceilings on the main floor in the burbs unless the builder is cheap. Never be the most expensive home on the block as you will never get your money back from all the upgrades. RE rule of thumb when selling.

I don't see the point of going to 10"ft unless you are doing a custom built home in a demand and established area such as in midtown TO (Forest Hill, Leaside, Blythwood, etc.). Here you will reap the gains for new builds.

+2

Apr 11th, 2022 1:53 am

varunme100: Newbie; Apr 10, 2022; 3 posts

Apr 11th, 2022 1:53 am

I am knew to this forum, and thanks for the input. I bought an assignment sale and have my virtual structure appointment after next 2 weeks. This is the first time I have bought a house from builder. What topics are usually covered in structural appointment? When I visited the site I noticed that they just started digging my lot and now I am also curious how long the wait shall be to get it built

Apr 11th, 2022 11:38 pm

TwinkoStar: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2021; 1486 posts; 2403 upvotes

Apr 11th, 2022 11:38 pm

I would go for 10’ main floor. I love high ceilings but hate stairs. I’m guessing 9’ basement would mean extra stairs to get to main floor? Or do they just dig deeper?

Apr 12th, 2022 1:52 am

seatiger: Deal Addict; Mar 30, 2017; 1214 posts; 975 upvotes; GVA

Apr 12th, 2022 1:52 am

Go for the max ceiling height your city building code allow. It really stands out when you sell. This is one thing you cant renovate later.

profit on 6/23/2021 = 117.61% since 11/10/2020 to be exact😎

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