Cellar Conversion Blackheath West Midlands (B65): An excellent way to generate useful living space in your home in Blackheath without having to resort to doing a loft conversion or a brick extension, is to turn that uninviting, dark space beneath your property into bright and airy room with a basement (or cellar) conversion. Additionally, it brings a fully functional room nearer to the main living space of your house, which is handy for entertaining, to use as a home gym, an office or perhaps a self-contained living space for elderly relatives.
A cellar or basement conversion is also a way to add value to your house; Savills have stated it is generally approximately ten to fifteen percent more than the value of comparable properties in the Blackheath area. If you've already done a conversion on your loft to cope with your growing family, a basement conversion allows you to create welcome additional living space.
Before starting any cellar conversion project, you ought to ask yourself these important questions: 1. How do you select a builder that you can count on to do a decent cellar conversion in Blackheath? 2. What is a conversion going to mean with regard to work needed and the disturbance to the home? 3. Precisely what is your purpose for creating the added space with the conversion? 4. Are the costs involved in a cellar conversion worth the benefits that you will gain from it?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Blackheath?
Unlike building extensions and loft conversions, a basement conversion doesn't usually require local authority planning permission if you are only making it into a useable living area, but if it is necessary to do any construction works such as lowering the floor you must ask your local authorities what your options are. In most situations you're pretty much free to utilise a remodeled and converted basement with very few constraints, however if your home shares a party wall with a neighbour, is inside a conservation area or is a listed structure, there are different rules that have to be adhered to.
The capability to make use of useful living space in their property is the main reason that many householders in Blackheath aspire to do a cellar conversion. This is especially relevant where living space is limited such as in many parts of Blackheath. A cellar conversion could also be used to generate a little extra income by creating a self contained flat which can be rented out or registered with AirBnB.
The final style of your cellar conversion and its uses are down to what your imagination can come up with, and what your budget can allow. You could create an instant pub for your friends by building a bar, or perhaps you'd prefer a home cinema or a games room. If you're somebody who works from home a cellar conversion can become the ideal home study by giving you a custom-built area where you're less likely to be disturbed by children and family.
What is Involved?
As mentioned previously, local authority planning permission may not be needed in the majority of instances, but you will have to get Building Regulations consent. This will make sure that your newly constructed living area adheres to all the Health & Safety legislation and recommendations for minimum ceiling heights, electrical wiring, fire escapes, water supply, damp proofing and ventilation. Thankfully your Blackheath cellar conversion company will be glad to deal with these legal guidelines as an integral part of the construction process.
Even if there are no visible signs of damp or mould in your existing basement, it will still require some kind of cementitious tanking or damp proof membrane so that it stays dry and make it acceptable for conversion. Your Blackheath cellar conversion specialist will help you to decide which procedure is more suitable for your particular conversion and also make certain it follows the guidelines of the British Standards BS8102 regulations. A reliable builder should be willing to provide you with an insurance backed guarantee for their work, should the membrane fail.
The floor surfaces, heating, insulation, ventilation, water sources, electric wiring and lights will most likely also need to be installed or upgraded. Underfloor heating is increasingly popular in cellar and basement conversions in Blackheath as it's efficient and spreads heat evenly. It is also hidden beneath your chosen flooring style and needs little upkeep.
Any kind of electric re-wiring must always be done by an accredited electrician. Lighting systems are usually sunk in to avoid height issues and there are a whole host of efficient and low-cost LED light fittings that look fantastic and will brighten your conversion to make it seem light and airy.
There are regulations relating to adequate ventilation and insulation to basement and cellar conversions and your contractor will want to discuss the different options with you in the early stages. Potential cold spots and damp can appear if your cellar conversion is not effectively insulated. Mould and damp can also be triggered by heightened humidity levels if the quality of ventilation in your conversion is substandard.
Selecting a Basement Conversion Company in Blackheath
As is the case with all major building projects, it is advisable to get more than one quotation to allow you the opportunity to assess prices from different companies in Blackheath. Ask if you can see relevant trade accreditation and membership certificates, if you've got any doubts about their expertise or workmanship.
An initial estimate may be given after a site survey for a standard basement conversion with waterproofing, flooring and access elements being evaluated. Additional discussions will be needed over your own particular requirements, for instance making a partition wall to separate a room, installing a bathroom or kitchen or digging out the pre-existing floor to increase room height.
You will sign off on a final price with a definitive quotation for all work to be carried out which includes all of the required paperwork pertaining to the Blackheath area for the planning laws, party wall agreements and building regulation applications. The final quotation should also provide a breakdown of the individual parts of the conversion to furnish you with an accurate idea of the costs involved in every stage.
With such a lot of things to consider, a reliable cellar conversion company should be able to provide answers to any concerns you may have and also suggesting methods by which to introduce more natural daylight by the installation of light wells or opening up the stairway. This is also the best time to consult with a fully qualified electrician regarding the installation of additional wiring for lighting, electrical sockets, computing and entertainment.
Contingent on your planned use of your cellar conversion it pays think seriously about the width and height of your entry points. Your elaborate design might be based on your dream of turning your cellar into a designer bar, home gym or games room, but if access is limited how will the equipment get down there?
Whatever you eventually plan to do with your cellar or basement conversion you will want it to remain warm and dry in all weather conditions. In order for this to be readily accomplished, you will need a reliable company with the necessary membership and accreditation of a professional building body.
Watch out for Blackheath building companies who are registered members of the FMB (Federation of Master Builders) and if you are at all doubtful you can ask the FMB if they're really on their list of approved members. If you wish to check up on a company's past performance you can look to see if it is a part of the respected TrustMark scheme. TrustMark is a helpful scheme that enjoys the full support of the government and was set up by the Trading Standards Authority.
Fortunately the overwhelming majority of companies who undertake basement conversions in the Blackheath area are highly qualified and trustworthy construction workers. A trustworthy building company will assist you in any way possible to give you proof of their credibility, and respond in a fair manner so as to build trust and a unified working relationship.
Cellar and Basement Conversion Surveys
If you have a basement or cellar in your property in Blackheath, it can be easily converted into a functional living area. The first step that must be taken is to ensure that your basement is suitable for converting, and so as to do this you must organise a professional survey of your basement/cellar area.
A below-ground constructions qualified surveyor will take note of the planned usage of your new space whilst undertaking a complete survey survey. This allows them to establish exactly what measures need to be implemented to legally and safely convert your cellar.
There will be a detailed inspection of ceiling, floor and wall construction, as well as allowing for the requirements for plumbing, ventilation and electricity. There are particular British Standards guidelines and building regulations concerning cellar conversions which your surveyor will also have to consider. These are going to include stuff like fire escapes, damp proofing and ceiling height, and also if there are any party wall agreements that need consideration. (Tags: Basement Conversion Surveys Blackheath, Cellar Conversion Survey Blackheath, Cellar Conversion Surveys Blackheath).
Basement Planning Permission - Do I Need It?
If you already have a cellar below your house, and are curious about whether you'll require planning permission for a basement conversion in Blackheath, the answer is "probably not". The reason is that this will normally be considered to be a simple "change of use". If you have to increase the overall volume of your property by digging out the cellar floor to lift the height of the ceiling, you might then need to have planning permission, because it's going to be viewed as a type of extension. If you're not altering your home's external appearance to any significant degree, this should not be a huge concern and permission will nearly always be granted. Any genuine basement conversion specialist in Blackheath should be able to give you all of the relevant information regarding this, or if uncertain get hold of your local planning department. For much more details pop along to the planning portal here.
Basement Conversion Tasks Blackheath
Your local Blackheath cellar conversion specialist can provide an extensive variety of tasks and services, and in addition to what has previously been covered here they will be able to do low ceiling basement conversions Blackheath, timber preservation, basement conversion, basement floor repair, commercial basement conversions, cellar excavation Blackheath, budget basement conversion Blackheath, cellar conversions, sprayed concrete, cellar surveys in Blackheath, basement conversion planning permission, cellar refurbishment Blackheath, wine cellar installation, woodworm treatment, cellar damp proofing, condensation control, cellar conversion design, basement damp proofing, cellar conversion ideas, low ceiling cellar conversion Blackheath, small cellar conversion in Blackheath, black mould removal, cellar conversion, basement flooding solutions, waterproof membranes in Blackheath, cementitious tanking in Blackheath, basement waterproofing, basement surveys, and more. This is on no account a comprehensive list of what is provided by somebody doing cellar conversion. Blackheath specialists will be happy to inform you of their whole range of basement conversion services if you call them. You could perhaps go to this QUOTE FORM and fill out your details, if you have additional Blackheath cellar conversion requirements that you need but cannot find here.
Other Useful Trades and Services in Blackheath West Midlands: Needless to say, whenever you are doing home improvements in Blackheath, West Midlands, you will probably need all kinds of different tradesmen and as well as a basement conversion specialist in Blackheath, West Midlands, you could also need cellar waterproofing in Blackheath, black mould removal in Blackheath, waste removal in Blackheath, damp proofing in Blackheath, an electrician in Blackheath, loft conversion in Blackheath, cellar surveys in Blackheath, a home extension in Blackheath, timber preservation in Blackheath, a plasterer in Blackheath, a tiler in Blackheath, basement flooding solutions in Blackheath, a plumber in Blackheath, a painter & decorator in Blackheath, a carpenter in Blackheath, condensation control in Blackheath, a builder in Blackheath, SKIP HIRE in Blackheath, and other different Blackheath tradesmen.
Cellar Conversion Near Blackheath
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