Cellar Conversion Barnstaple Devon (EX31): Turning a dark, dusty and unwelcome cellar into an airy, bright living area is a perfect option for anyone in Barnstaple looking to create more space in their house without the need to build an extension. Having extra living space nearer to the more used areas of your house can provide you with greater opportunities for creating a home gym, entertaining friends or building a "granny annex" for an elderly relative.
A basement or cellar conversion is also an effective way to add extra value to your house; Savills state it is likely to be approximately ten to fifteen percent above the value of equivalent properties in the Barnstaple area. A cellar conversion allows you to create extra space, which if you've already converted an attic into bedrooms, is an important and useful supplement to your house.
Before you start any basement conversion project, you ought to ask yourself these important questions: 1. Are the benefits of a basement conversion actually worth the expense that is involved with doing it? 2. What will a conversion mean with regard to the work required and the disturbance to the home? 3. Precisely what is your purpose for creating the additional space with the conversion? 4. How do you stay clear of dodgy builders and identify an established Barnstaple company who will be able to convert the basement and supply guarantees to all of the work involved?
Why Pick a Cellar Conversion in Barnstaple?
If your house has already got a basement, then you will not have to put in for planning permission if you are purely changing it into a living space, but if it is necessary to excavate the floor to elevate the ceiling height then you first need to double check with your local council planning department. There are different rules if your home is in a conservation area, is listed or shares a party wall with a neighbour, but in the majority of cases you are free to utilise the area as a living space with few restrictions.
The opportunity to make use of extra, valuable living space in their house is the main reason many people in Barnstaple wish to have a cellar or basement conversion. If like lots of other people in Barnstaple you find that space is limited, this can be a top priority. A cellar conversion could also be used to earn a bit of extra cash by making it into a self contained apartment which can be rented out or registered with AirBnB.
The final style of your cellar conversion and its uses are dependent on what your own imagination can come up with, and what your spending budget allows. In Barnstaple games rooms, home cinemas and bars are favourite choices for the use of a basement conversion, to provide a comfortable space to entertain friends and family. With recent developments and the opportunities for working at home, transforming your cellar into a comfy and out of the way office space, where you're much less likely to be interrupted, could be just the ticket to get you out of your stressful daily commute.
What is Involved?
Although planning permission may not need to be obtained there are particular Building Regulation approvals that you will definitely need. These Building Regulations, that have to be complied with by your building contractor, will ensure that the cellar conversion fulfills all the required building guidelines in relation to ceiling height, electrical wiring, damp proofing, health & safety, water sources, fire escapes and ventilation. Luckily your Barnstaple cellar conversion specialists should take care of all of these regulations as an integral part of the build process.
It does not matter if your cellar does not feel damp nor has any sign of mould; you'll still have to get a suitable damp proof membrane put in to provide a dry, watertight area suitable for conversion. Your selected cellar conversion company in Barnstaple will discuss which damp proofing method is more suitable for your property and make sure it is installed according to BS8102 recommendations. An honest builder should be willing to provide you with an insurance protected warranty for their workmanship, in the event that the membrane ever fails.
The lights, electrical installations, water supply, insulation, floor surfaces, ventilation and heating will most likely also have to be upgraded or installed from scratch. Increasing in popularity is under-floor heating which disseminates heat uniformly around the area and is very effective. Additionally it is hidden underneath your chosen flooring and requires minimal upkeep.
An experienced electrician must be brought in to complete all electrical testing and rewiring on your cellar conversion project. Effective and low cost LED light fixtures can be recessed into the ceiling to give maximum floor to ceiling height and guarantee your basement conversion has a natural, bright feel.
Insulation and ventilation are vital elements which must be sorted out from the design and planning stage. The correct insulation should offer enough protection to stop damp causing cold spots from arising in your cellar conversion. Substandard ventilation can also trigger a steady build up of humidity which is likely to lead to problems with mould and damp.
Picking a Cellar Conversion Company in Barnstaple
The common sense approach is to acquire at least 3 quotes from different building contractors in Barnstaple, to compare warranties, service and prices for your cellar conversion project. Ask if you can see relevant trade membership and accreditation certificates, if you are at all in doubt about their expertise or workmanship.
A preliminary price quote may be provided following an on-site survey for a basic basement conversion with flooring, waterproofing and access measures being evaluated. Follow up conversations with the building company should look to provide clarification about your own requirements, for instance increasing the ceiling height of your cellar by the excavating of the existing floor, or the installation of a toilet or kitchen in a separate room.
A definitive quotation from a nearby Barnstaple cellar conversion company should include any appropriate party wall agreements, planning laws and building regulation applications required before work can begin. It also needs to be divided into independent sections of the overall conversion project so you are able to get a better perception of the eventual price.
The builder should be able to offer advice and guidance on all of these matters and recommend methods by which to introduce natural light to brighten the space by the use of light wells or opening up stairways. This is also the right time to talk to a certified electrician about the installation of extra electrical wiring for electrical sockets, lighting, home entertainment and computer networks.
Contingent on your planned use of your cellar conversion it would pay you to think seriously about the height and width of your access points. There's little point in planning for a gymnasium, pool room or bar complete with equipment if you have problems getting down a flight of narrow stairs whilst carrying a cup of coffee.
It's clear that regardless of what you elect to convert your cellar into, you'll want it to remain warm and dry in winter and summer. Hiring an experienced basement conversion company with membership, accreditation and guarantees from the building and construction trade organisations will allow this to be accomplished and give you peace of mind.
A Federation of Master Builders (FMB) membership and accreditation by your Barnstaple conversion specialist shows their professionalism and reliability in the building and construction industry. You can check how well a building company has performed on previous jobs by going to the highly respected TrustMark website and looking at the reliability figures it has attained. This is a helpful scheme created by the Trading Standards Authority with support from the government.
The vast majority of conversion companies in the Barnstaple area are genuine and legitimate businesses with a trained and qualified workforce. A reputable conversion company acknowledges the doubts of the general public, due to a tiny minority of dishonest traders, and will do anything in their power to verify their trustworthiness in a friendly and responsible way.
Sump Pump Installation
Sump pump installation is a critical factor in preventing water damage to your home. Sump pumps are machines used to extract water accumulation from crawl spaces or basements. The significance of this lies in the fact that excessive water can cause mould growth, structural damage, and other problems. The installation process typically involves digging a pit in the lowest part of the crawl space or cellar and installing the sump pump inside. A discharge pipe is then attached to the pump, which transports the water away from the dwelling. In case of power cuts or other emergency situations, homeowners might choose to install a battery backup system to ensure the pump's continued operation. It is important to have a trained specialist install a sump pump to ensure it is properly placed and configured to effectively manage water in the property. A sump pump installation is a sound investment in the protection of a property against water damage.
Basement and Cellar Conversion Surveys Barnstaple
A lot of householders in Barnstaple will look at converting their basement or cellar into additional living space sooner or later. You are required to have a professional survey completed to make certain your cellar/basement is suitable for conversion.
As soon as the surveyor, who will be certified in underground construction, understands the planned use of the converted space he or she will be able to perform a detailed survey. This allows them to establish what measures must be taken to legally and safely convert your basement.
The structure of your basement will be inspected, and the requirements for adequate ventilation, water drainage and electricity installation will be taken into account. British Standards requirements and building regulations specifically target basement conversions, and your surveyor will deal with each stipulation that is relevant. Such measures include stuff like ceiling height, damp proofing and fire escapes, and whether any party wall agreements must be satisfied. There are a choice of certified surveyors in the region, if you need a cellar conversion survey in Barnstaple.
Basement Waterproofing Barnstaple
Probably the most vital aspect of a cellar conversion is waterproofing your existing basement. You certainly would not want to shell out all that money transforming your cellar, only to discover that the room you have created is damp and mouldy. This is precisely why you need somebody you can rely on to undertake the work to the highest standard. There are fundamentally two methods that you can use for waterproofing a pre-existing underground cellar. Moisture can be checked from getting into your basement by either blocking its ingress using an impermeable tanking material that's put on as a semi-liquid slurry, or by installing waterproof membranes which redirect water into a cavity and then silently pumped out. basement waterproofing services are also available in Roundswell, Tawstock, Landkey, Umberleigh, Goodleigh, Bishops Tawton, Shirwell, Whiddon Valley, Swimbridge, Strangeways, Miles Platting, Lydacott, Sticklepath, and and of course in Barnstaple itself.
Other Useful Services and Trades in Barnstaple Devon: Not surprisingly, whenever you're doing home repairs and improvements in Barnstaple, Devon, you are likely to need all kinds of different tradesmen and apart from a cellar conversion specialist in Barnstaple, Devon, you could also need a property extension in Barnstaple, a plasterer in Barnstaple, damp proofing in Barnstaple, a tiler in Barnstaple, black mould removal in Barnstaple, a plumber in Barnstaple, waste removal in Barnstaple, a painter & decorator in Barnstaple, timber preservation in Barnstaple, condensation control in Barnstaple, basement waterproofing in Barnstaple, an electrician in Barnstaple, a flooring specialist in Barnstaple, loft conversion in Barnstaple, a carpenter in Barnstaple, basement surveys in Barnstaple, SKIP HIRE in Barnstaple, a building contractor in Barnstaple, and other different Barnstaple tradesmen.
Cellar Conversion Near Barnstaple
Also find: Goodleigh cellar conversion, Sticklepath cellar conversion, Swimbridge cellar conversion, Bishops Tawton cellar conversion, Whiddon Valley cellar conversion, Strangeways cellar conversion, Lydacott cellar conversion, Tawstock cellar conversion, Miles Platting cellar conversion, Shirwell cellar conversion, Landkey cellar conversion, Roundswell cellar conversion, Umberleigh cellar conversion and more.
Cellar Conversion Tasks Barnstaple
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