Cellar Conversion Bexleyheath Greater London (DA6): A basement (or cellar) conversion can transform that cheerless, dark basement into a warm, dry and bright living space while also creating an extra room in your Bexleyheath house. It also brings a fully functional room nearer to the main living space of your house, which is very handy for entertaining, to use as a study, a home gym or even a spare bedroom for an elderly relative.
A cellar or basement conversion is also a great way to add extra value to your house; the global estate agents Savills say that it is generally around ten to fifteen percent higher than the market value of similar houses in the Bexleyheath area. A cellar conversion permits you to create additional living space, which if you've already previously converted a loft space into further bedrooms, is an attractive and important supplement to your property.
Should you be looking into a cellar conversion make sure that you've asked yourself these pertinent questions before starting: 1. What precisely do you hope to achieve with the added space created with the conversion? 2. What sort of expense is involved and what benefits can be gained from a cellar conversion? 3. How can you identify a local Bexleyheath basement conversion company that's efficient and dependable? 4. What amount of work will need to be conducted on the basement to turn it into a useable living area?
Why Pick a Cellar Conversion in Bexleyheath?
Unlike constructing loft conversions and extensions, a cellar conversion does not usually need planning permission if you're simply turning it into a functional living area, but if you've got to do any construction works such as lowering the level of the floor you need to ask the local council exactly what your options are. You will however need to check with the local council authorities if you live in a conservation area, if you share a party wall (requires different regulations) or if your house is listed.
The capability to make use of valuable living space in their property is the main reason many people in Bexleyheath aim to do a cellar or basement conversion. This is particularly true where space is limited such as in many areas of Bexleyheath. If you don't really need the additional living area for you own benefit, a cellar conversion can easily be turned into a self contained flat to bring in some welcome extra money.
The final style of a basement conversion and what it's used for are based on what your imagination can come up with, and what your budget allows. Maybe you've always dreamt of a home cinema or games room, or you could always put in a bar and "voila", instant pub for you and your mates. With recent opportunities for working at home, changing your basement into a quiet and out of the way office space, where you're much less likely to be disturbed, could be just the thing to break you out of that stressful daily commute.
What is Involved?
As already mentioned, planning permission may not be necessary in many instances, but you definitely will need to have Building Regulations clearance. These important regulations provide you, and any future purchaser of your property, the reassurance that the basement conversion follows the laws and guidelines for electrical installations, ventilation, damp proofing, fire escapes, health and safety, water supply and minimum ceiling heights. These regulations and rules will be handled as part of the build process by your Bexleyheath cellar conversion specialists.
It doesn't matter if your basement does not seem to be damp nor has any indication of mould; you'll still have to get an appropriate damp proof membrane put in to provide a dry, watertight area suitable for conversion. Any damp proofing that you decide to use must adhere to the BS8102 recommendations which your Bexleyheath cellar conversion specialist is obliged to follow. To put your mind at ease, ask the conversion company if they offer an insurance supported guarantee to cover water ingress due to the possible failure of the damp proof membrane.
The ventilation, insulation, lighting, heating, water sources, electric wiring and floor coverings will most likely also have to be upgraded or installed. Under floor heating is increasingly popular in cellar and basement conversions in Bexleyheath because it spreads heat evenly and is extremely effective. This space saving style of heating is hidden beneath your cellar flooring and requires little upkeep once fitted.
Electrical re-wiring should be done by a certified tradesperson. Light fixtures are usually recessed to avoid height issues and there are numerous efficient and low-cost LED light fittings that look awesome and will brighten up your basement conversion to make it feel light and airy.
There are regulations concerning adequate insulation and ventilation to basement and cellar conversions and your conversion specialist will want to go over the various options with you early on. The appropriate insulation should offer sufficient protection to stop damp causing cold spots from occuring in your conversion. Substandard ventilation can also lead to a steady increase in humidity which is liable to lead to problems with mould and damp.
Picking a Cellar Conversion Company in Bexleyheath
As with all construction projects, it is better to obtain more than one price quote to give you the chance to evaluate different company's prices. If you feel in any doubt about the expertise of a company it shouldn't be an issue if you ask if you can view their proof of membership and accreditation of the appropriate trade organisations.
After a site survey you might be given an initial estimate which evaluates the standard cost of your basement conversion, and covers things like waterproofing, access and floors. Additional consultation will be needed over your particular necessities, for example constructing a partition wall to divide a room, adding a bathroom or kitchen or digging out the existing floor to increase room height.
An accurate quote from a locally based Bexleyheath cellar conversion company needs to contain any appropriate party wall agreements, building regulation applications and planning laws required before work can begin. The final quote should also include a task-by-task breakdown of the various parts of the conversion to provide you with a true understanding of the costs involved in each stage.
If you are concerned about how to get more natural light into your conversion, your selected contractor should be able to offer solutions such as opening up the stairway or the installation of light wells, and will also take care of any other worries you may have. They will also be able to recommend how best to adapt the basement and electrical installations for additional electrical sockets, lighting, home entertainment systems and computer networks you need.
Depending on how you plan to use your cellar conversion it pays think seriously about the width and height of your entry points. There's little point in planning for a fully equipped home gym, snooker room or bar if you can just about manage to get down a narrow stairway whilst carrying a mug of coffee.
It's crystal clear that whatever you plan to convert your cellar into, you'll need it to stay warm and dry in winter and summer. For this to occur you need your conversion specialist to be certified and backed up by accreditation and membership to the relevant building bodies.
You can find out if your Bexleyheath basement conversion company is on the approved list of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) to ensure you are dealing with a reliable and trusted builder. You can check out how efficiently a building company has performed on previous jobs by accessing the highly respected TrustMark website and seeing the trustworthiness figures it has achieved. This is a Trading Standards Authority run scheme and it is backed by the UK government.
There are plenty of legitimate and reliable builders in the Bexleyheath area who will be able to help you convert your basement with the assistance of highly qualified and trained individuals within the building trade. However it takes only a small group of unscrupulous companies to generate distrust, and a professional conversion company will understand your concerns and help allay your uncertainties in any way possible.
Home and business owners based in Barnehurst, Belvedere, Coldblow, Crayford, Leyton Cross, Welling, Chislehurst, North Cray, Albany Park, Blackfen, Northumberland Heath, Slade Green, in these postcodes: DA6 7HY, DA6 7HS, DA16 1JQ, DA16 1DJ, DA6 7AJ, DA6 7HF, DA6 7AN, DA1 4FE, DA6 7JZ, and DA6 7LE, or other areas outside of Bexleyheath can also benefit from these basement conversion services, and make the most of the convenience they offer. Local Bexleyheath cellar conversion specialists will most likely have the postcode DA6 and the telephone dialling code 020/01322. Checking this should make sure that you access local providers of cellar conversion. Bexleyheath homeowners are able to utilise these and numerous other related services. Just click the "Quote" banner to get basement conversion quotations.
Design Consultation and Planning
Design and planning consultation are crucial prerequisites when converting a basement into a functional living area. Working with a seasoned designer can help you optimise the available space when creating a guest room, home office, or comfy den.
The first step towards successful design and planning consultation is identifying your needs and goals for the space. When undertaking the project, factors to consider include lighting, ventilation and insulation, and necessary plumbing or electrical work.
By considering features such as ceiling height, windows and access points, a designer can help identify the best layout for your cellar space. By aiding in the selection of fittings, furnishings and finishes, a designer can help you achieve a cohesive look and feel.
The planning stage should encompass consideration of the project's budget, timeline, and any required approvals and permits. Transforming your basement or cellar into a practical and stunning living area that caters to your every need is achievable with meticulous planning and professional guidance.
What are the most significant design and planning aspects of a basement conversion?
The specific design and planning considerations for a cellar conversion can vary depending on the project's specific requirements and goals, but some critical aspects may include:
- Plumbing and electrical work: Proper execution and planning of electrical or plumbing work in a basement conversion are essential to ensure safety and comply with building codes.
- Layout: Proper consideration of the basement's layout is critical to ensure that the living area is both practical and functional while making the most of the available space.
- Permits and approvals: Depending on the project's extent, local authorities may necessitate permits and approvals before work can commence.
- Waterproofing: To avoid water damage, mould and dampness in a cellar, it is crucial to ensure it is correctly waterproofed due to its typical location below ground level.
- Access points: Given that basements often have limited access points, it is crucial to think about how to optimise these to create convenient and safe entrances and exits.
- Lighting: Basements can be dark and gloomy spaces, so proper lighting is essential for creating a bright and welcoming living area.
- Ventilation: To prevent issues with moisture and condensation and maintain air quality, it is necessary to have good ventilation.
- Insulation: Adequate insulation is necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature and reduce energy bills.
The planning and design aspects of a basement conversion in Bexleyheath are complex and require significant consideration.
Cellar Tanking Bexleyheath
If your cellar in Bexleyheath is damp or contains water, you should consider basement tanking. This form of waterproofing is more affordable and easier to install than you might imagine. In addition, tanking can make extra usable space in your home. Here's why: tanking helps to keep moisture out while making extra usable space.
First, remove loose mortar joints and materials. You could also add a salt inhibitor to prevent further problems in the future. If you can't remove the loose material, you can try applying a physical or chemical bond. After the coating has dried, you can put plaster over the top. Be sure to use a sulphate-resistant cement.
Membrane-sealed tanking can be installed in a cellar or basement in Bexleyheath. This type of tanking requires you to clear all inside walls of all items, including pipework. You must also secure the piping to the membrane. This is often done using plywood. As soon as this is done, perimeter channels are installed around the base of the walls. These channels lead to a sump and pump system that conveys water away from the property.
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.
Waterproofing Cellars Bexleyheath
By far the most vital element of a cellar conversion is waterproofing your existing basement. Investing a small fortune on converting your basement and then finding out that it's still mouldy and damp is not a scenario that you want to endure. This is precisely why it is imperative to use a highly professional conversion team in Bexleyheath to handle the project. When you're looking to waterproof an underground basement, there are basically two ways to approach it. The incursion of moisture into your cellar can either be checked by a cementitious tanking material, employed as a slurry type mixture to form an impermeable surface, or it may be diverted into a cavity using waterproof membranes, from where it is quietly pumped away from the building. (Tags: Basement Waterproofing Bexleyheath, Cellar Waterproofing Bexleyheath, Waterproofing Basements Bexleyheath)
Small Cellar Conversions Bexleyheath
Even an existing small basement or cellar can be converted into a useable space with the right design, and a professional Bexleyheath cellar conversion company will create the perfect new room exclusively for you. It may for instance be used as a utility area, freeing up valuable space in the kitchen by moving your tumble dryer and washing machine out of sight.
Maybe you need an office to work from home; even the smallest room can be effectively used with custom furniture designed and installed by a professional company in Bexleyheath. Your modest basement could easily be turned into an oasis of peace, where you can forget the pressures of life and listen to music or enjoy a decent book. Add some subdued lighting, cozy seating and a bookshelf or media centre and you'll be in business. The options for small cellar conversions in Bexleyheath are limited only by the extent of your imagination.
Basement Planning Permission - Do I Need It?
If you already have a basement under you house, and are pondering whether you will need local authority planning permission for a basement conversion in Bexleyheath, the likely answer is "probably not". This will normally be regarded as a straightforward "change of use". If your current cellar space does not have sufficient height to do what you want to do with it, you will have to excavate the floor to increase the ceiling height, in the event of which planning permission will most likely be required, since you are expanding the overall volume of your home. In most cases this sort of planning application is almost never refused, so long as the exterior of your home is not going to be modified to any serious degree. Your selected cellar conversion company in Bexleyheath will be able to help you with this, or you can consult with your local planning department.
Sump Pump Installation
The installation of a sump pump is a key preventative measure for protecting your home against water damage. The use of sump pumps is common in the elimination of excess water in basements and crawl spaces. The importance of this cannot be overstated because excess water can give rise to structural damage, mould, and a number of other issues. The process of installation usually requires excavation of a pit in the crawl space or basement's lowest point and then placing the sump pump inside. The subsequent stage is connecting the pump to a discharge pipe that removes the water from the dwelling. The installation of a battery backup system by homeowners may be preferred to maintain the pump's functioning during power outages or other similar emergencies. For efficient water management in the property, it is essential to have an experienced professional install a sump pump to ensure proper placement and setup. The investment in sump pump installation is certainly a worthwhile one that provides property owners with peace of mind in protecting their homes from water damage.
Basement Conversion Tasks Bexleyheath
Your local Bexleyheath cellar conversion specialist can provide a broad range of services and tasks, and in addition to what's previously been covered they can do cellar tanking in Bexleyheath, cellar conversion ideas Bexleyheath, basement waterproofing, commercial basement conversions in Bexleyheath, small basement conversion, cellar conversions, basement tanking, basement flooring, basement floor repair, basement excavation, structural waterproofing in Bexleyheath, damp proofing, timber preservation, PIV (positive input ventilation) in Bexleyheath, basement refurbishment, cellar remodeling, cellar rendering, cellar conversion ideas, low ceiling cellar conversion Bexleyheath, condensation control Bexleyheath, basement conversion, cellar plumbing, basement surveys, cellar surveys Bexleyheath, waterproof membranes Bexleyheath, basement remodeling, cellar soundproofing Bexleyheath, and others. This is just a sample of the services on offer from someone doing cellar conversion. Bexleyheath providers, when asked, will keep you informed about the full range of cellar conversion services that are available. If there are additional Bexleyheath cellar conversion requirements that you want but don't see here, you can easily give them a mention on the QUOTE FORM provided.
Skip Hire Bexleyheath
When you're doing any sort of home improvements or garden makeovers in Bexleyheath, there is likely to be a lot of waste created. Different levels of waste will result from a basement conversion, depending on your particular circumstances. Depending on who you hire to do the task, some contractors will include waste removal within the job quotation and will be quite happy to get rid of it for you.
One of the easiest and most hassle-free ways to get rid of this waste is to hire a skip. Various sizes of skip are available to match the volume of rubbish that you have. Skips are available in the following sizes: skip bags (1-1.5 yds), mini-skips (2-3 yds), midi-skips (4-5 yds), builders skips (6-8 yds), roll-on roll-off skips (20-25 yds).
If you think you may require a skip for your home improvement project CLICK HERE for a quote.
Basement Conversion Near Bexleyheath
Also find: Chislehurst cellar conversion, Coldblow cellar conversion, Crayford cellar conversion, Welling cellar conversion, Leyton Cross cellar conversion, Slade Green cellar conversion, Northumberland Heath cellar conversion, Albany Park cellar conversion, Barnehurst cellar conversion, Belvedere cellar conversion, Blackfen cellar conversion, North Cray cellar conversion and more. Building contractors who do cellar conversion can be found in almost all of these locations. These skilled professionals have a wealth of expertise and know-how, making them well-equipped to convert your cellar into a functional and inviting living space. If you're dreaming of a snug basement lounge, a home office or an extra bedroom, these specialists can make your ideas come to life. By simply clicking here, local property owners can get cellar conversion price quotes.
Basement Conversion Services Bexleyheath
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Other Useful Trades in Bexleyheath Greater London: Undoubtedly, when you're doing home improvements and repairs in Bexleyheath, Greater London, you'll likely be in need of all kinds of different tradesmen and apart from a basement conversion specialist in Bexleyheath, Greater London, you may also need timber preservation in Bexleyheath, loft conversion in Bexleyheath, SKIP HIRE in Bexleyheath, rendering in Bexleyheath, waste removal in Bexleyheath, cellar surveys in Bexleyheath, a carpenter in Bexleyheath, basement waterproofing in Bexleyheath, damp proofing in Bexleyheath, black mould removal in Bexleyheath, a plumber in Bexleyheath, condensation control in Bexleyheath, garage conversion in Bexleyheath, a tiler in Bexleyheath, an electrician in Bexleyheath, basement flooding solutions in Bexleyheath, a builder in Bexleyheath, a painter & decorator in Bexleyheath, and other different Bexleyheath tradesmen.
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Basement conversions in DA6 area, and dialling code 020/01322.
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