[snugs]

Pardon my ignorance but is a basement the same thing as a cellar but for habitation that is what we call it in the UK but most new houses do not have them. I was therefore surprised at you mentioning a basement or is that something different in the "American Language" LOL

[homemom]

A basement in the US can be for habitation or just storage of excess junk; in our house it contains the water heater, softener, heater, etc. etc. but will also be some type of big family room--haven't quite decided yet. We were just going to have a crawl space (about 4 ft. high, for purposes of accessing pipes, wires, if necessary) but then discovered the cost of making it 8 ft. high instead of 4 was minimal compared to doubling our living space.

In our area of the US, a "cellar" usually referrs to just a room under the house, often used just to store vegetables, or take shelter from storms.