[cashflyer]

Elevated Slab vs Conditioned Crawl Space

I have been discussing this with a builder, and I thought I would ask for opinions here also.

Slab is cheaper but usually means that your utilities are not accessible.
IE: If a water line starts leaking, you may not find it until your water bill is abnormal. Then you rip up your floor covering, rent a jackhammer, and start breaking concrete.

Conditioned Crawl Space means higher construction cost and perhaps higher HVAC cost.
[edit: builder says add $15k for choosing the crawl over slab]


Is access to the utilities worth the extra expense, or are utilities so reliable that you should not have a need to break the slab in the next 30 years?


Any other pros, cons, or concerns?