Cellar Conversion Bicester Oxfordshire (OX25): An effective way to create useable living space in your property in Bicester without resorting to converting a loft or building an extension, is to turn that dark, inhospitable space under your home into a bright, airy room with a basement (or cellar) conversion. In addition, it brings a fully functional room nearer to the main living space of your property, which is useful for hosting parties, to use as an office, a home gym or perhaps a spare bedroom for an elderly relative.
A basement or cellar conversion is also a way to add to the value of your home; the global estate agents Savills state it is usually approximately ten to fifteen percent above the market value of comparable houses in the Bicester area. A basement conversion permits you to generate additional living space, which if you've already previously converted a loft into further bedrooms, is an important and appealing improvement to your house.
Should you be considering doing a basement conversion be sure you have asked yourself these important questions before starting: 1. What kind of expense is involved and what rewards can be attained from a basement conversion? 2. How can you locate a local Bicester based cellar conversion firm that is reliable and dependable? 3. Just what use do you want to make of the additional space you can generate with your basement conversion? 4. Just how much work will need to be carried out on the cellar to turn it into a useable living area?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Bicester?
In contrast to constructing loft conversions and extensions, a basement conversion does not usually need planning permission if you're merely turning it into a functional living area, however if you have to do any construction works for example lowering the floor you should ask your local authorities precisely what is needed. Generally speaking you are free to use a converted and refurbished basement with few limitations, however if your house is a listed structure, is in a conservation area or has a shared party wall with a neighbour, there are some different rules that have to be adhered to.
The capability to make use of valuable living space in their house is the main reason many people in Bicester choose to have a basement conversion. In Bicester, where living space can often be at a premium, this is the main concern for most folks. If you don't actually need the additional living space for you own benefit, a basement conversion can easily be transformed into a self contained apartment to bring in welcome extra cash.
The final form of a basement conversion and its uses are dependent on what your own imagination comes up with, and what your budget can allow. You could make it into an instant pub for entertaining your pals by putting in a bar, or maybe you'd prefer a home cinema or a games room. If you happen to be a home worker a cellar conversion can become the perfect home study by giving you a bespoke space where you are much less inclined to be disturbed.
What is Involved?
Even if your basement conversion requires no planning permissions, there are a set of approvals and certificates required from the Building Regulation authorities, to make it legal and above board. This will make certain that your newly built living area observes all the Health and Safety recommendations and laws for fire escapes, water sources, electrical systems, minimum ceiling heights, damp proofing and ventilation. Fortuitously your Bicester cellar conversion company will be able to take care of these rules and regulations as part of the construction process.
To ensure your basement conversion remains dry and warm throughout its life, a waterproof membrane will have to be laid even if there aren't any visible signs of dampness or water ingress. Any water proofing and damp proofing that you choose to use has to abide by the BS8102 regulations which your Bicester cellar conversion specialist is required to follow. A trustworthy company will be able to offer an insurance backed warranty for their workmanship, in the event that the membrane ever fails.
The lights, insulation, floor surfaces, electric wiring, heating, water sources and ventilation will probably all have to be upgraded or installed from scratch. Increasing in popularity is under-floor heating which circulates heat uniformly around the space and is extremely efficient in this setting. It requires minimal maintenance once it has been fitted and is a hidden sort of heating, which is an additional space saving bonus.
Electrical re-wiring must be done by a qualified tradesperson. Try to use recessed (sunken) lighting fixtures to reduce the concern about height issues, and with a wide range of cost effective LED lights avaiable for purchase, your cellar can feel bright and airy even if there is a lack of natural light.
Insulation and ventilation are vital issues that have to be discussed from the planning and design stage. The correct insulation should provide enough protection to stop damp causing cold spots from occuring in your basement conversion. Damp and mould can also be attributable to increased humidity levels if the standard of ventilation in your basement conversion is poor.
Picking a Basement Conversion Contractor in Bicester
As with all major building projects, it's best to obtain more than one price quote to allow you the opportunity to assess different contractor's prices. Ask if you can see relevant building trade accreditation and membership certificates, if you are at all in doubt about their workmanship or expertise.
An initial price quote may be given after an on-site survey for a standard basement conversion with damp proofing, access and flooring considerations being assessed. During discussions with your contractor you're able to incorporate your personal necessities, i.e. you might need an area to be separated, have a bathroom or kitchen installed or to increase the height of the ceiling by excavating the pre-existing floor.
You will sign off on a final price with an accurate quotation for all work to be undertaken that includes all the required paperwork applicable to the Bicester area for the building regulation applications, party wall agreements and planning laws. The final quote should also include a breakdown of the individual elements of the basement conversion to provide you with an accurate understanding of the costs involved in each stage.
If you are concerned about how you can get more natural daylight into your conversion, your selected builder should be able to offer solutions such as installing light wells or opening up stairways, and will also take care of any other doubts you might have. This is also the time to consult with a fully qualified electrician regarding the installation of additional wiring for sockets, lighting, computer networks and entertainment.
Dependant upon how you plan to use your conversion it pays seriously think about the height and width of your access points. There's no point in planning for a snooker room, bar or gymnasium complete with equipment if you have problems getting down a narrow flight of stairs while holding a mug of coffee.
Making certain that your cellar is dry, warm and free from damp is the main concern against whatever the Bicester weather decides to do. Using a trustworthy basement conversion specialist with membership, accreditation and assurances from the construction and building trade associations will allow this to be accomplished and give you peace of mind.
A Federation of Master Builders membership and accreditation by your Bicester conversion company indicates their professionalism and reliability in the building industry. Yet another excellent way to verify a contractor's credibility is to see if it's included on the Trustmark website. TrustMark is a scheme that has full backing of the government and is run by Trading Standards.
There are many legitimate and reliable builders in the Bicester area who will be glad to help you convert your cellar with the help of a highly qualified and trained workforce within the building trade. A reputable company will help you in any possible way to provide you with evidence of their integrity, and respond in a fair manner in order to build trust and a unified working relationship.
Cellar Waterproofing Bicester
When considering doing a conversion, the waterproofing of your cellar is one of the most critical aspects of the procedure. Shelling out a fortune on converting your cellar and then discovering that it is still damp and mouldy is not an experience that you want to endure in a hurry. This is the reason you will want to find a trustworthy basement conversion firm in Bicester to undertake the project. There are basically 2 methods that you can use for waterproofing an existing underground cellar. The seepage of water into your basement can either be impeded by a cementitious tanking material, employed in the form of a wet slurry, or it can be redirected into a cavity by the use of waterproof membranes, whence it's quietly pumped out of the building. (Tags: Cellar Waterproofing Bicester, Basement Waterproofing Bicester, Waterproofing Basements Bicester)
Home Cinema Conversions
As we have already mentioned, there are countless different ways that you can use a cellar conversion in Bicester, but one which is growing much more popular is to transform a basement into a home cinema. This is naturally an ideal choice for families that really enjoy bingeing on movies or box sets. With an absence of natural daylight and a propensity to be darker, a basement or cellar is a superb spot for a home movie theatre. Moreover, this will generate some extra social space to your home and be a useful area where members of your family can hang out and come together. (Tags: Home Entertainment Conversion Bicester, Home Cinema Conversion Bicester, Basement Home Cinemas Bicester)
Basement/Cellar Conversion Surveys Bicester
At some point most property owners in Bicester with a basement or cellar will consider converting it into a space that serves a useful purpose. The initial step that must be taken is to make certain your particular cellar is suitable for converting, and this involves a professional survey of the area in question.
A surveyor who inspects your property must be certified in below-ground constructions, and will have spoken with you before arrival concerning the usage you've planned for your basement. This will allow them to perform their inspection of what measures need to be taken to safely and legally convert your basement.
The construction of ceilings, floors and walls will all be evaluated, accounting for the needs of plumbing, electricity and ventilation. There are particular British Standards guidelines and building regulations in relation to cellar and basement conversion which your certified surveyor will also need to evaluate. Such measures include things like damp proofing, fire escapes and ceiling height, and whether any party wall agreements have to be satisfied.
Cellar Excavation
To create space for a basement, rock, dirt, and other debris are removed in the process of basement excavation. The execution of this complex and challenging process cannot be done without careful planning. The depth of the cellar, the soil conditions and the availability of equipment will determine the precise methods used for basement excavation.
The most common method for cellar excavation in Bicester is the open-cut method. This method involves digging a trench around the perimeter of the cellar area. The trench is then deepened and widened until the desired depth is reached. The excavated material is then taken away from the site. (78345)
Basement Conversion Near Bicester
Also find: Launton cellar conversion, Highfield cellar conversion, Caulcott cellar conversion, Bucknell cellar conversion, Ardley cellar conversion, Woodfield cellar conversion, Bletchingdon cellar conversion, Lower Arncott cellar conversion, Marsh Gibbon cellar conversion, Blackthorn cellar conversion, Ambrosden cellar conversion, Caversfield cellar conversion, Wendlebury cellar conversion and more.
Cellar Conversion Tasks Bicester
Your local basement conversion specialist can accomplish a whole range of tasks including cellar damp proofing, basement surveys, sump pumps in Bicester, condensation control, cellar remodeling, basement rendering, cellar conversion planning permission, basement remodeling Bicester, budget cellar conversion Bicester, basement conversion, waterproof membranes, basement lighting, structural waterproofing, basement conversion ideas, cellar tanking in Bicester, cellar electrics, basement tanking, basement refurbishment Bicester, cellar underpinning, basement flooring Bicester, wine cellar installation, basement waterproofing, cellar plumbing Bicester, cellar refurbishment Bicester, cellar conversion design, budget basement conversion Bicester, cementitious tanking, sprayed concrete Bicester, and others. This is merely a sampling of the services that might be provided by a builder doing cellar conversion. Bicester specialists providing these sorts of basement conversion services, will provide a full list if you need one. You could always click HERE and complete the quote form provided, if you have cellar conversion requirements in Bicester, that you don't see here.
Other Useful Services and Trades in Bicester Oxfordshire: Obviously, whenever you are doing home improvements in Bicester, Oxfordshire, you'll probably need all types of different tradesmen and apart from a basement conversion specialist in Bicester, Oxfordshire, you could additionally need a tiler in Bicester, a plumber in Bicester, condensation control in Bicester, a renderer in Bicester, cellar waterproofing in Bicester, a flooring specialist in Bicester, loft conversion in Bicester, timber preservation in Bicester, garage conversion in Bicester, black mould removal in Bicester, SKIP HIRE in Bicester, a carpenter in Bicester, a painter & decorator in Bicester, a handyman in Bicester, basement surveys in Bicester, damp proofing in Bicester, a builder in Bicester, an electrician in Bicester, and other different Bicester tradesmen.
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