Why Crawl Space to Basement Conversions Are the Future of Atlanta Home Additions
Atlanta is a city that treasures its neighborhoods—and rightfully so. From the Craftsman homes of Inman Park to the Craftsman bungalows of Grant Park and Candler Park, our architecture tells a story. As a builder who works exclusively in these historic areas, I’ve come to believe that the best way to add space to these homes isn’t up or out—it’s down.
At Heide Contracting, we’ve seen firsthand how crawl space to basement conversions are reshaping what’s possible for historic homeowners. In my opinion, this is not just a clever workaround—it’s the future of home additions in Atlanta.
A Win-Win for Preservation and Progress
One of the biggest challenges we face as builders in historic districts is how to balance modern needs with preservation mandates. Homeowners need more space—plain and simple. Families grow. Parents move in. Work-from-home becomes permanent. But the city rightly restricts exterior alterations to protect neighborhood character.
That’s where crawl space conversions shine.
They don’t change a single thing about the home’s exterior. No alterations to the façade, no changes to the roofline, no new massing that disrupts the rhythm of the street. From the sidewalk, the house looks exactly the same. But inside? It’s a game-changer.
Quietly Doubling Your Square Footage
Most historic homes in Atlanta sit on crawl spaces that are underutilized or completely wasted. With the right structural reinforcement, drainage, and waterproofing, those crawl spaces can become fully finished lower levels—complete with natural light, walk-out patios, and seamless interior staircases.
We’ve converted crawl spaces into:
Family rooms and playrooms
Guest suites and in-law apartments
Home offices and gyms
Legal rental units for passive income
In some cases, we've doubled the usable square footage of a home—without adding an inch to its visible footprint. Our average conversion sees around 1,100 additional square footage!
Loved by the City, Approved by Preservation Boards
The best part? The City of Atlanta and local historic commissions are excited to see these innovative home additions. Crawl space conversions fall outside many of the visual design restrictions that complicate traditional additions. Basements are also excluded from Floor Area Ratio (FAR) calculations in many cases, meaning you’re not using up precious zoning capacity.
From a regulatory standpoint, this is the most efficient and preservation-friendly way to build. It’s a solution that makes everyone happy—homeowners, neighbors, and zoning reviewers alike.
The Bottom Line
As a contractor and designer, I believe every home has hidden potential. And for so many of Atlanta’s older homes, that potential lies beneath the floorboards. Crawl space to basement conversions let us honor the past while designing for the future. They keep our streetscapes intact, our history preserved, and our clients living comfortably in the homes they love.
At Heide Contracting, we don’t just build—we find the smartest, most sustainable path to more space. And right now, that path is going straight through the crawl space.
If you’re ready to unlock your home’s full potential—without changing its historic charm—we’d love to help.
—Alex Heide
Founder, Heide Contracting
