Cellar Conversion Plymouth Devon (PL1): A great way to create useable living space in your house in Plymouth without needing to resort to converting a loft or building an extension, is to transform that dark, uninviting space under your home into a smart, airy room with a basement (or cellar) conversion. Whether you want to use the extra space as a study, games room, home gym or even turn it into a self-contained living area, a cellar conversion brings useful living space nearer to the main areas of your house than can be accomplished for example with a loft conversion.
A basement or cellar conversion is also a way to add to the value of your home; Savills the estate agents say that it is generally in the region of ten to fifteen percent above the market value of similar houses in the Plymouth area. If you've already done a conversion on your attic space to provide space for your ever growing family, a basement conversion allows you to create desirable additional family living space. It's about more than just enhancing your daily life; such an investment also positions your dwelling competitively in the Plymouth real estate market.
If you're looking into a cellar conversion be sure you have asked yourself these questions before beginning: 1. Just what do you want to do with the extra space you will be able to generate with a basement conversion? 2. What will a conversion mean in terms of work necessary and the disturbance to the household? 3. How can you select a building company that you can depend on to do a professional basement conversion in Plymouth? 4. Are the benefits of a basement conversion really worth the costs that are involved with doing it?
Why Pick a Cellar Conversion in Plymouth?
In contrast to doing extensions and loft conversions, a cellar conversion does not usually need local authority planning permission if you're simply making it into a useable living space, but if you've got to do any major construction works for example lowering the floor you need to ask the local authorities precisely what is required. In most cases you are free to use a converted and remodeled basement with few limitations, but if your property has a shared party wall with a neighbour, is in a conservation area or is listed, there are completely different rules that should be followed.
To be fair the only limitations to what you can do with your basement conversion are your imagination and your budget. Maybe you've always desired a games room or home cinema, or you could always install a bar and "voila", instant pub for you and your mates. With recent opportunities for home working, transforming your cellar into a quiet and isolated office space, where you are less likely to be disturbed, might be just the thing to get you out of your daily commute.
What is Involved?
As mentioned above, planning permission might not be required in the majority of cases, however you definitely will have to get Building Regulations approval. These Building Regulations, that have to be observed by your builders will make certain that the basement conversion meets all the necessary building guidelines and health and safety laws. These necessary rules and regulations should be dealt with as part of the construction process by your Plymouth basement conversion specialists.
Even if there aren't any visible signs of mould or damp in your cellar, it will still require some type of damp proof membrane in order to stay dry and make it suitable for converting. Your preferred basement conversion company in Plymouth will go through which damp proofing procedure is more suitable for your project and make sure it is installed according to BS8102 recommendations. In the event that the membrane fails at some time down the road then a credible builder will be able to provide you with an insurance backed guarantee of their workmanship, and give you the necessary peace of mind.
The heating, flooring, ventilation, lighting, electric wiring, insulation and water supply will most likely also have to be upgraded or installed. A very efficient way to keep your basement conversion warm is to install under floor heating, which uniformly circulates the heat around the room. It needs a minimal amount of upkeep once it has been put in and is a hidden form of heating, which helps to save precious space.
Any sort of electrical re-wiring must be carried out by an accredited electrician. Low cost and efficient LED lighting units can be sunk into the ceiling to give the maximum possible floor to ceiling height and guarantee that your basement conversion has a natural, bright feel.
Insulation and ventilation are crucial factors that have to be discussed from the planning stage. Potential cold spots and dampness can appear if your basement conversion does not have the appropriate insulation. Damp and mould can also be caused by heightened humidity levels if the standard of ventilation in your conversion is substandard.
Picking a Basement Conversion Company in Plymouth
It is best practice to obtain at least 3 quotations from different builders in Plymouth, to compare prices, services and warranties for your basement conversion project. All building companies are not the same when it comes to basement conversions and it's advisable to ask if you can see the relevant trade and building memberships and accreditations if you've got any doubts about their expertise.
An initial price quote could be provided after an on-site survey for a basic basement conversion with waterproofing, flooring and access considerations being assessed. Follow up consultations with the builders will provide clarification about your own specific requirements, for instance the installation of a kitchen or W in a separate room or increasing the ceiling height of your cellar by the digging out of the existing floor.
You will sign off on a final price with an accurate quotation for all work to be completed which includes all of the required paperwork applicable to the Plymouth area for the party wall agreements, building regulation applications and planning laws. It is also better if it is divided into individual sections of the overall conversion project so you are able to get a better understanding of the final price.
A decent builder should be able to offer guidance and advice on all these matters and recommend methods by which to increase natural daylight to brighten the area by installing light wells or opening up the staircase. This is also the best time to consult with a certified electrician regarding the installation of extra electrical wiring for electrical sockets, lighting, computing and entertainment.
If your access to the cellar has limitations it might have to be adjusted subject to what uses you have in mind for your basement conversion. There is no point in planning for a fully equipped snooker room, home gym or bar if you can hardly get down a narrow staircase while holding a cup of tea.
Whatever it is that you eventually want to do with your conversion you will need it to stay warm and dry in all weather conditions. For this to occur you need your basement conversion specialist to be certified and guaranteed by membership and accreditation to professional trade organisations.
A Federation of Master Builders (FMB) accreditation and membership by your Plymouth conversion specialist demonstrates their professionalism and reliability in the building trade. Yet another great way to check up on a building company's credibility is to find out if it is included on the Trustmark website. The Trading Standards Authority run the scheme and it's supported by the UK government.
It is a fact that a large majority of companies who carry out basement conversions in the Plymouth area are highly qualified and trustworthy construction workers. However it takes only a small minority of unethical firms to ruin trust, and a genuine conversion company will understand your fears and help to ease your uncertainties wherever possible.
Plym Bridge, Home Park, Lipson, North Prospect, Pomphey, Mutley, Derriford, Bickleigh, Estover, Camels Head, Wembury, Peverell, Devonport, Keyham and more places in the region, are within the range of most Plymouth cellar conversion companies. Locally based Plymouth basement conversion specialists will probably have the telephone dialling code 01752 and the postcode PL1. Checking this can make certain that you access local providers of cellar conversion. Plymouth householders are able to utilise these and lots of other related services. To to make enquiries and obtain cellar conversion quotations, click on the "Quote" banner.
Cellar Waterproofing Plymouth
Waterproofing is just about the most vital thing to consider when you are looking to carry out a cellar conversion. Paying out a fortune on converting your basement or cellar and then discovering that it's still mouldy and damp is not an experience that you'll want to go through. This is exactly why you need to locate a trustworthy cellar conversion specialist in Plymouth to carry out the project. Essentially there are 2 main ways by which an existing underground basement can be waterproofed. The ingress of moisture into the cellar can either be diverted into a drainage channel using waterproof membranes, whence it can be noiselessly pumped out of the building, or it can be impeded by a cementitious tanking material, applied in the form of a wet slurry.
Planning Permission for Cellar Conversion Plymouth
If your home in Plymouth already has a cellar that's currently being used as storage or something similar, and you'd like to convert it into a livable room, it will be viewed as "change of use" and you will not have to apply for planning permission from your local authority. Nevertheless, if you have to dig out the floor so as to raise the height of the ceiling, it will be treated similar to an extension and you might then need to obtain planning permission. If you're not transforming your home's external appearance to any significant degree, this shouldn't be a huge concern and permission will in most cases be granted. Any decent basement conversion company in Plymouth should be able to get you all the information in regards to this, or if uncertain contact your local council planning division. For more information head over to the planning portal here.
Cellar Tanking Plymouth
If your basement in Plymouth is damp or contains water, you should think about cellar tanking. This type of waterproofing is more affordable and easier to install than you might believe. Moreover, tanking can make extra usable space in your home. Here is 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 problems in the future. If you can't remove the loose material, you can try applying a physical or chemical bond. As soon as 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 Plymouth. This form of tanking requires you to clear all inside walls of all items, including pipes. You must also secure the piping to the membrane. This is often done using plywood. After this is done, perimeter channels are installed around the base of the walls. These channels lead to a sump and pump system which carries water away from the house.
Home Cinema Conversions Plymouth
As we have previously discussed, there are numerous different ways that you can use a cellar conversion in Plymouth, but one that is growing much more popular is to transform a basement into a home cinema. If you love nothing more than watching movies, box sets or soaps this may be the perfect alternative for you. With a general lack of natural light and a propensity to be dark, a basement or cellar is a great location for a home cinema. This use of your cellar will also establish some additional social space for your whole family to hang out and relax, which is very important in this busy modern world.
Small Cellar Conversions Plymouth
Even a tiny basement can be transformed into an exclusive living space with the correct design, and an experienced Plymouth basement conversion company will create the room you have dreamt of. You could create some precious space in your kitchen by converting your small basement to a purpose built laundry room for your tumble dryer and washing machine.
Maybe you need an office to work from home; even the smallest room can be used efficiently with purpose built furniture designed and fitted by a professional company in Plymouth. A modest cellar could also be converted into a tranquil oasis, where you can hide yourself away from the worries of work and day to day life, and enjoy a good book or listen to some relaxing music. Add a bit of subdued lighting, comfortable seating and a media centre or bookshelf and you will be good to go. You're limited only by the power of your imagination for the design of a small basement conversion in Plymouth. (Tags: Small Basement Conversion Plymouth, Small Basement Conversion Ideas Plymouth, Small Cellar Conversions Plymouth).
Cellar Conversion Tasks Plymouth
Stuff like low ceiling cellar conversion Plymouth, cellar excavation, residential basement conversion, budget basement conversion Plymouth, bonded sheet membranes, cellar waterproofing, commercial basement conversion, basement plumbing, timber preservation, condensation control, sprayed concrete, basement conversion ideas, basement surveys, basement floor repair & restoration in Plymouth, woodworm treatment, basement tanking, basement rendering in Plymouth, cellar conversion estimates, basement soundproofing, small cellar conversion, cellar damp proofing, wine cellar installation, basement waterproofing, PIV (positive input ventilation), basement lighting, cellar conversions, obtaining planning permission for basement conversions, basement remodeling, sump pumps, small basement conversions are just a few of the services and tasks that your local Plymouth basement conversion specialist can provide. This is simply a selection of what can be done by someone doing cellar conversion. Plymouth specialists will be happy to provide a full-blown list of their cellar conversion services when requested. If there is something basement related, which you need but do not see listed here, you could always go to this QUOTE FORM and tell us what you are looking for.
Potential Ideas For a Cellar Conversion
- Bedroom
- Spa Room
- Granny "Annexe" Apartment
- Games Room
- Child's Playroom
- Pub
- Office
- Indoor Plunge Pool
- Gymnasium
- Micro-Brewery
- Laundry Room
Family & Friends
A great idea, when you're searching for a contractor or service for your project in Plymouth, is to get recommendations from family and friends. These personal references can be the best way to weed out substandard contractors and companies that have poor reputations, and help you identify someone who is a suitable fit for your requirements.
If you know that an acquaintance or member of your family has used a specific contractor, you can ask if anything went wrong during the construction work, if so, how quickly it was resolved, and what the attitude of the builder was like as a result. You'll also be able to get an insight into their reliability and time keeping They'll be in a position to tell you whether the contractor offers a guaranteed price promise for their work, and if not, how close the final price was in comparison to the original estimate.
Your friends and family members are folks that you know, and ultimately when it comes to advice, they're the individuals to trust. If you find it hard to get details on a certain contractor or building company, it's likely because they have had an unsatisfactory experience in dealing with them. And a lot of folks, instead of 'slagging off' a second-rate company who they have had dealings with in the past, may even suggest an alternative contractor, because they're happier speaking about a good business than an inferior one.
Plymouth Skip Hire Services
It's pretty rare that you will carry out a garden revamp or home refurbishment project without generating quite a lot of waste that will have to be removed and responsibly disposed of. When it comes to cellar conversion in Plymouth, it will depend on the extent and specifics of your project. Sometimes there will be quite a bit of waste, sometimes barely any. If the contractors you hire don't take care of the waste removal, and it hasn't been listed on your price quote, this is something that you are going to have to deal with.
Hiring a skip is one of the simplest and most hassle-free ways to dispose of this waste. Coming in an array of sizes, skips can be arranged to suit the quantity of waste that you're likely to produce. Mini-skips accommodate around 2 yds of rubbish, midi-skips accommodate around 4 yds of rubbish, builders skips accommodate around 6 yds of rubbish and roll-on-roll-off skips accommodate around 20 yds of rubbish. Skip bags typically hold 1-1.5 yds of rubbish.
To arrange your skip hire in Plymouth GO HERE.
Basement Conversion Near Plymouth
Also find: Lipson cellar conversion, Camels Head cellar conversion, Wembury cellar conversion, North Prospect cellar conversion, Derriford cellar conversion, Estover cellar conversion, Peverell cellar conversion, Devonport cellar conversion, Plym Bridge cellar conversion, Home Park cellar conversion, Pomphey cellar conversion, Bickleigh cellar conversion, Mutley cellar conversion, Keyham cellar conversion and more. There are contractors who do cellar conversion in almost all of these locations. These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of know-how and expertise to the table, making them well-equipped to transform your cellar into an inviting and functional living space. Turning your ideas into reality, whether it's an additional bedroom, a home office or a cosy basement lounge, is something these experts excel at. By simply clicking here, cellar conversion quotes are readily accessible to local homeowners.
Basement Conversion Services Plymouth
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Other Useful Trades and Services in Plymouth Devon: Not surprisingly, whenever you're doing home improvements and repairs in Plymouth, Devon, you are likely to be in need of all sorts of different tradesmen and along with a basement conversion specialist in Plymouth, Devon, you might also need condensation control in Plymouth, a house extension in Plymouth, a plumber in Plymouth, cellar surveys in Plymouth, a painter & decorator in Plymouth, a carpenter in Plymouth, basement flooding solutions in Plymouth, an electrician in Plymouth, loft conversion in Plymouth, damp proofing in Plymouth, black mould removal in Plymouth, rendering in Plymouth, a builder in Plymouth, cellar waterproofing in Plymouth, a tiler in Plymouth, waste removal in Plymouth, timber preservation in Plymouth, SKIP HIRE in Plymouth, and other different Plymouth tradesmen.
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To obtain local information relating to Plymouth, Devon click here
Basement conversions in PL1 area, and dialling code 01752.
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