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Additionally, pre-plan the central-air with the installer so that you do not get lots of “Under-the-joist” duct-work in the basement. I spent a month of weekends with my brother re-routing the duct-work so that he could put a higher ceiling in the basement. With a little bit of thought it is very possible to get large areas of the basement to have nothing below the bottom of the main floor joists. You will thank yourself if yo have “clean” ceilings when you get to finnish the basement. Obviously, there will need to be exceptions, but keep those in the “utility” areas. This applies for the gas and plumbing as well! The electrical code will automatically ensure that the power cables will be routed through joists where required instead of under them (assuming US codes similar to Canadian).
Rolf
We used to build basements with an extra course or two of block, made the above a non issue. If getting it poured by a forming company investigate if they can do 16 inches (or so) higher?
Dave Lag