Cellar Conversion Antrim Northern Ireland (BT41): An effective way to generate useable living space in your property in Antrim without resorting to doing a loft conversion or a brick extension, is to turn that dark, unwelcoming space beneath your property into bright and airy room with a basement (or cellar) conversion. Having an extra room nearer to the more frequently used areas of the house can provide more opportunity for creating a study, entertaining friends or creating a "granny annex" for elderly relatives.
A basement or cellar conversion can also be a great way to add extra value your home in Antrim, with the global estate agents Savills indicating that it can increase by 10-15% above the market value of similar properties nearby. A cellar conversion offers growing families, who may have already converted their lofts for bedrooms, the opportunity to create the extra space that is needed for family living. Not only does this investment enhance your daily life, but it also boosts your property's competitive edge in the real estate market.
Before rushing into this process it is worth asking two or three questions: 1. How do you steer clear of dodgy builders and identify a top quality Antrim company who can convert your basement and provide guarantees to all the work that's needed? 2. Are the costs associated with a cellar conversion really worth the benefits that you will gain from it? 3. What work is necessary to do a conversion on your basement or cellar? 4. What use do you want to make of the added space you'll be able to generate with the conversion?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Antrim?
In contrast to doing extensions and loft conversions, a cellar conversion doesn't normally need planning permission if you're simply turning it into a functional living space, but if it is necessary to do any construction works like lowering the level of the floor you must ask the local authorities what your options are. There are different requirements if your home is in a conservation area, shares a party wall with a neighbour or is listed, but in most cases you're free to utilise the space as a living space with few limitations.
For many homeowners in Antrim, the reason that they want to have a cellar conversion created in their house is to make use of valuable extra living space. If like many other people in Antrim you find space is limited, this will be a big plus. If you don't need the extra living space for you own benefit, a basement conversion can easily be changed into a self contained unit to generate welcome extra money.
In all honesty the only limits to what you can do with your cellar conversion are your budget and your imagination. You could make it into an instant pub for your friends by building a bar, or maybe you would prefer a games room or modern home cinema. Another firm favourite, and maybe more desirable given recent circumstances, is the creation of a home based study or office where you'll be able to escape the daily commute and benefit from an area in your home where you are less liable to be disturbed while working.
What is Involved?
Although planning permission may not have to be obtained there are specific Building Regulation clearances that you will need. These important regulations give you, and any subsequent purchaser of your home, the assurance that the basement conversion conforms to the legislation and recommendations for health and safety, ventilation, water sources, damp proofing, electrical installations, fire escapes and ceiling height. These necessary rules and regulations will be dealt with as an integral part of the build process by your Antrim cellar conversion company.
To make sure your basement conversion remains warm and dry throughout its life, a cementitious tanking or waterproof membrane will need to be laid even if there aren't any visible signs of water ingress or dampness. Any water proofing and damp proofing technique that you decide to use has to abide by the BS8102 guidelines which your Antrim builder must observe. A trusted company should be willing to offer an insurance backed warranty for their work, should the membrane fail.
Seek the advice of the conversion company regarding the installation or upgrade of the lights, heating, electrical installations, water sources, ventilation, insulation and floor surfaces, to to make sure you get the most appropriate products for your specific basement conversion. An effective way to keep your basement and cellar conversion warm is to put in under floor heating, which evenly circulates heat around the area. This space saving heating system is concealed beneath your basement floor covering and requires little maintenance once it has been installed.
Only skilled electricians should be used to complete any electric re-wiring that has to be undertaken on your cellar conversion. Lighting are often recessed to prevent ceiling height issues and there are plenty of low cost and efficient LED fittings that look amazing and will brighten up your conversion to make it seem airy and light.
Insulation and ventilation are two vital elements which must be addressed from the design phase. The correct insulation should offer sufficient protection to stop damp causing cold spots from appearing in your conversion. Additionally poor ventilation can cause issues, not just from stagnant air, but also by encouraging a build up of humidity which also is a huge worry where dampness is involved.
Selecting a Basement Conversion Contractor in Antrim
The common sense approach is to obtain a minimum of 3 quotes from different conversion companies in Antrim, to compare prices, service and warranties for your conversion project. Ask to see appropriate building trade membership and accreditation certificates, if you are at all in doubt about their credentials.
An initial estimate may be given at the end of a site survey for a basic cellar conversion with waterproofing, access and flooring elements being assessed. Further discussions take place over your own particular prerequisites, i.e. adding a kitchen or bathroom, making a partition wall to divide a room, or digging out the current floor to increase room height.
The final quotation should contain all necessary party wall agreement, planning application and building regulation paperwork relevant to the Antrim area before any actual building work is able to begin. It also needs to be divided into independent parts of the overall conversion project so that you are able to get a better understanding of the final price.
A reputable company will offer suggestions to solve all your concerns including ways in which to improve natural light to your basement conversion by opening up the staircase or installing light wells. This is also the time to consult with a qualified electrician about the installation of extra wiring for sockets, lighting, computing and entertainment.
Dependant upon how you plan to use your cellar conversion it would pay you to seriously think about the width and height of your entry points. Your fancy design may be based on transforming your cellar conversion into a mock pub, pool room or gymnasium, but if access is restricted how will you get the equipment down there?
Whatever you eventually decide to do with your cellar or basement conversion you will need it to stay warm and dry in all weather conditions. For this to occur you need your builder to be certified and guaranteed by accreditation and membership to the relevant trade associations.
Try to look for Antrim basement conversion companies who are members of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and if you have any doubts you can always ask the FMB if they are really on their approved members list. If you wish to check a firm's previous performance you can look to see if it's included in the TrustMark scheme. The Trading Standards Authority run the scheme and it's backed by the government.
There are lots of legitimate and reliable building companies in Antrim who will be happy to help you convert a cellar or basement with the help of a highly qualified and trained workforce within the building trade. A reputable building company will understand the concerns of the public, caused by a small minority of dishonest "cowboys", and will do anything in their power to confirm their trustworthiness in a friendly and responsible fashion.
Additionally, you won't have to panic if you live someplace outside of Antrim, since such basement conversion services are available in Dunadry, Templepatrick, Dundrod, Crumlin, Shankbridge, Glenavy, Muckamore, Parkgate, Doagh, Aldergrove, Nutts Corner, Toomebridge, Randalstown and other surrounding locations. Local Antrim cellar conversion specialists will probably have the dialling code 028 and the postcode BT41. Checking this will make sure that you access local providers of cellar conversion. Antrim householders are able to benefit from these and numerous other conversion related services.
Cellar Tanking Antrim
Before tanking your cellar in Antrim, you should make certain that all mortar joints, cracks and loose materials are removed. Then you can apply a layer of breathable render. After applying a second coat, check the tanking for signs of seepage and you should add a salt inhibitor if necessary. These steps are essential to tank your basement and prevent damp patches in the future.
Tanking your basement in Antrim can be pricey. The cost will be dependent on the size of your cellar, the type of substrate, and the level of damp. A professional damp expert in Antrim will visit your home and provide a bespoke quote. If you're uncertain about whether tanking is the right thing your basement, ask a damp specialist to assess its suitability.
When selecting a cellar tanking system, you should consider the depth of your cellar. For example, if your cellar is five metres deep, the hydrostatic pressure head will be significantly higher than if it is only two meters deep. This is why you need to choose the right covering for the depth of your cellar. You should also check the manufacturer's usage guidelines to determine the right covering for your cellar.
Tanking is a process where waterproof cement is applied to cellar ceilings, floors and walls. It stops water from seeping into the walls and makes them permanently watertight. As cellar walls are normally below ground level, water from the surrounding ground can pass through the walls and carry salts to the basement. Therefore, the tanking slurry is designed especially to combat these issues and create a water resistant barrier. (Tags: Cellar Waterproofing Antrim, Cemetitious Tanking Antrim, Cellar Tanking Antrim, Basement Tanking Antrim)
Small Basement Conversion
Even a small cellar can be converted into a unique living space by a good designer, and a specialist Antrim cellar conversion company should be able to create the room you've dreamt of. Perhaps it could be turned into a utility area and somewhere to keep your tumble dryer and washing machine out of sight and create valuable extra space in your kitchen.
Perhaps you could do with an area where you can work at home; even a small room can be effectively used as an office with tailor-made furniture built and installed by a specialist company. Why don't you transform your modest basement space into a listening or reading room, and make it somewhere to get far away from the stresses of daily life. All that you really need is a comfy armchair, subdued lighting and a place to store your music or books. You are limited only by the scope of your imagination for what can be accomplished with a small basement conversion in Antrim. (Tags: Small Basement Conversions Antrim, Small Basement Conversion Ideas Antrim, Small Cellar Conversion Antrim).
Timber Preservation Antrim
An important factor to consider during a cellar or basement conversion project in Antrim is timber preservation. The damp conditions in cellars can cause timber, such as flooring, beams and joists, to rot. Treating the timber with preservatives that protect it from decay, insects and fungal growth is crucial to prevent this from happening.
You should have an expert evaluate the condition of any existing wood before commencing your basement conversion or refurbishment. They can assess the presence of rot or damp and provide recommendations for suitable treatment. To regain the strength and durability of damaged timber, it may be necessary to replace it or treat it with specialised products.
Throughout the conversion, all new wood should be treated with a preservative before installation. This helps to make certain that the wood is protected from the damp and moisture-laden environment of the cellar. Moreover, consider using pressure-treated wood, which is infused with high-strength preservatives during manufacturing for protection that lasts much longer.
After the conversion, ensuring good ventilation and controlling humidity levels in the basement is important. This keeps the timber in good shape and helps to avoid moisture problems going forward. To ensure the longevity of the timber and the success of your basement conversion in Antrim, it is advisable to conduct occasional inspections to identify any potential issues early. (Tags: Timber Preservation Antrim)
Basement Waterproofing Antrim
One of the most crucial elements of a basement conversion is making sure that your existing cellar is waterproof. Shelling out a small fortune on converting your cellar or basement and then discovering that it is still damp and mouldy isn't a scenario that you want to go through in a hurry. This is the reason it is essential to employ a highly experienced conversion team in Antrim to manage the project. When you are waterproofing an underground cellar, there are basically two ways that you can do it. The passage of moisture into the cellar can either be redirected into a drainage channel using waterproof membranes, from where it is noiselessly pumped from the building, or it can be blocked by cementitious tanking, employed in the form of a wet slurry. (Tags: Basement Waterproofing Antrim, Cellar Waterproofing Antrim, Waterproofing Cellars Antrim)
Coming Soon:
Low ceiling cellar conversions (article 1743).
Family & Friends
It is invariably a great help when searching for a professional contractor for your project to ask if family and friends have any recommendations. As well as weeding out substandard contractors and companies that have a terrible track record, word of mouth referrals are often the best way to single out somebody who is suitable for your requirements.
By getting this form of feedback from a friend or family member you can find out the attitude of the builder if anything went awry, how swiftly any issues were addressed, and also get some some insights into their work ethic, reliability and time keeping. They should be able to advise you how close the initial estimate was when compared with the final price, which, unless they've got a guaranteed price promise, is often hard to obtain from the builders themselves.
Since your friends and relatives are individuals you know and trust in relation to their advice, they ought to be your first port of call. If they have had a disappointing experience in dealing with a particular contractor or building company, you may discover that they will be reluctant to chat about them. And, rather than 'bad mouthing' a poor builder, a lot of people may even endorse an alternative company, because generally speaking most folks will be more than happy to speak about a good quality contractor and less inclined to discuss a lousy one.
Basement Conversion Tasks Antrim
There is a variety of work that can be accomplished by your local Antrim cellar conversion specialist including bonded sheet membranes, low ceiling cellar conversion Antrim, cellar surveys, cellar waterproofing, basement conversion ideas, positive input ventilation Antrim, cellar refurbishment Antrim, wine cellar installation, cellar tanking in Antrim, basement waterproofing, basement remodeling, basement flooding solutions in Antrim, budget basement conversion Antrim, damp proofing, basement underpinning, black mould removal, sprayed concrete, cellar lighting, cementitious tanking, cellar remodeling, basement conversion in Antrim, structural waterproofing, small basement conversions Antrim, cellar conversion, basement refurbishment, basement conversions, the installation of basement staircases, basement tanking, and lots more. This is merely a hint of the services that can be on offer from a builder doing cellar conversion. Antrim companies, when contacted, will be happy to tell you about the entire range of basement conversion services that are available. If there's something basement related, that you need but can't find mentioned here, you could always go to this QUOTE FORM and tell us what you are searching for.
Cellar Conversion Near Antrim
Also find: Doagh cellar conversion, Shankbridge cellar conversion, Glenavy cellar conversion, Nutts Corner cellar conversion, Aldergrove cellar conversion, Dunadry cellar conversion, Dundrod cellar conversion, Muckamore cellar conversion, Templepatrick cellar conversion, Crumlin cellar conversion, Randalstown cellar conversion, Toomebridge cellar conversion, Parkgate cellar conversions and more. The majority of these towns and villages are served by companies that do cellar conversion. Antrim home and business owners can get quotes by clicking here.
Cellar Conversion Services Antrim
- Basement Surveys
- Residential Cellar Conversions
- Cheap Cellar Conversions
- Rising Damp Control
- Basement Flooring
- Basement Damp Proofing
- Basement Refurbishment
- Basement Conversion
- Cellar Conversion
- Commercial Cellar Conversions
- Cellar Tanking
- Cellar Remodeling
- Cellar Refurbishment
- Cellar Waterproofing Services
Other Useful Trades in Antrim Northern Ireland: Undoubtedly, when you happen to be doing home improvements in Antrim, Northern Ireland, you will likely need all kinds of different tradesmen and as well as a cellar conversion specialist in Antrim, Northern Ireland, you might additionally need condensation control in Antrim, a bricklayer in Antrim, cellar waterproofing in Antrim, timber preservation in Antrim, black mould removal in Antrim, a plumber in Antrim, basement flooding solutions in Antrim, a builder in Antrim, a plasterer in Antrim, an electrician in Antrim, damp proofing in Antrim, cellar surveys in Antrim, garage conversion in Antrim, a carpenter & joiner in Antrim, a painter & decorator in Antrim, SKIP HIRE in Antrim, a loft conversion specialist in Antrim, a handyman in Antrim, and other different Antrim tradesmen.
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Basement conversions in BT41 area, (dialling code 028).
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