Cellar Conversion Brackley Northamptonshire (NN13): Changing a dark, dusty and unwelcoming cellar into an airy, bright living space is a great option for anybody in Brackley wanting to create more space in their property without the need to build an extension. Whether you wish to use the extra space as a games room, home gym, bar or even turn it into a separate flat, a basement conversion brings functional space closer to the living area of your property than can be achieved for example with a loft conversion.
According to Savills the property agents, a converted cellar (or basement) can also add between ten and fifteen percent to the value of your property. A basement conversion permits you to generate additional family living space, which if you've already previously converted an attic into bedrooms, is an important and useful improvement to your home.
Before rushing into anything it's worthwhile to ask two or three questions: 1. Just what do you want to do with the added space you can achieve with your basement conversion? 2. Are the advantages of a basement conversion worth the expense that is associated with accomplishing it? 3. How much work will need to be done on the cellar to convert it into a useable area? 4. How can you find a local Brackley basement conversion firm that is professional and dependable?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Brackley?
If your home already has a cellar, there's no need to apply for planning permission if you're simply converting it into a living area, but if you have to excavate the floor to raise the height of the ceiling then you first need to check with your local council planning department. In most instances you're pretty much free to utilise a remodeled and converted cellar with few limitations, but if your home is inside a conservation area, is a listed building or has a shared party wall with a neighbour, there are different rules that must be followed.
For many homeowners in Brackley, the reason they want to have a cellar or basement conversion done in their property is to free up priceless living space. In Brackley, where space can often be at a premium, this is the main priority for most folks. A basement conversion can also be employed as a means by which to generate income by changing that previously unused area into a self contained apartment and charging rent for it.
The final layout of a cellar conversion and what it's used for are based on what your own imagination can come up with, and what your spending budget will allow. In Brackley games rooms, bars and home cinemas are favourite choices for a cellar conversion, to provide a comfortable space to entertain family and mates. If you happen to be a home worker a cellar conversion can create the perfect home office by giving you a tailor-made space where you are less likely to be disturbed.
What is Involved?
As mentioned previously, planning permission might not be necessary in the majority of cases, however you certainly will have to get Building Regulations clearance. These important regulations give you, and any future buyer of your home, the reassurance that your cellar conversion complies with the recommendations and laws for electrical installations, ventilation, minimum ceiling heights, damp proofing, health and safety, fire escapes and water supply. These necessary regulations and rules should be handled as an integral part of the construction process by your Brackley basement conversion company.
To ensure your basement conversion stays dry and warm throughout its life, a cementitious tanking or waterproof membrane will need to be laid even if there are no visible signs of water ingress or dampness. Your selected basement conversion specialist in Brackley will go through which damp proofing procedure is most suitable for your home and ensure its installation conforms to BS8102 guidelines. For peace of mind, ask the conversion company if they can provide you with an insurance protected guarantee against water ingress due to water proof membrane failure.
The upgrading or installation of insulation, heating system, flooring, water supply, ventilation, electrical installations and lighting will also need to be discussed with your preferred builder. Under floor heating is increasingly popular in cellar and basement conversions in Brackley as it's efficient and spreads heat evenly. Also, it is concealed beneath your selected flooring and calls for a minimal amount of upkeep.
Electric installations must be left to a competent tradesman. Look for recessed lighting systems to reduce the concern about ceiling height issues, and with a variety of different cheap Led lamps available on the market, your basement can feel bright and airy even if there is no natural light source.
Two important elements that your contractor will discuss with you are ways to provide the necessary insulation and ventilation. Substandard insulation can leave your cellar conversion with cold spots which could increase damp. Mould and damp can also be the result of heightened humidity levels if the ventilation in your basement conversion is substandard.
Picking a Cellar Conversion Company in Brackley
As is the case with all construction projects, it is best to get more than one price quote to allow you the chance to assess different contractor's prices. Ask if you can see appropriate trade membership and accreditation certificates, if you feel in any doubt about their working standards.
A preliminary quotation could be given after an on-site survey for a basic cellar conversion with waterproofing, flooring and access measures being assessed. Follow up calls from the building company should provide some clarification of your requirements, for instance the installation of a kitchen or toilet in a separate room or increasing the ceiling height of your cellar by the digging out of the existing floor.
You should agree on a final price with an exact quotation for all work to be carried out including all of the necessary documents pertaining to the Brackley area for the planning laws, building regulation applications and party wall agreements. It should also be broken down into individual sections of the overall conversion project so you can get a better perception of the eventual price.
If you're concerned about how you can get more natural daylight into your conversion, your chosen builder will be able to offer recommendations such as opening up staircases or the use of light wells, and will also take care of any other worries you might have. This is also the best time to speak to a fully qualified electrician about the installation of additional wiring for lighting, electrical sockets, computing and home entertainment.
Dependant upon how you plan to use your basement conversion it would pay you to think seriously about the width and height of your entry points. Your fancy design may be based on transforming your cellar conversion into a home gym, snooker room or bar, but if the access isn't suitable how will you get the equipment down there?
Whatever it is that you plan to do with your conversion you'll want it to stay warm and dry in all weathers. If this is going to be readily guaranteed and achieved, you'll need a reputable conversion specialist with the appropriate membership and accreditation of a professional building association.
A Federation of Master Builders membership and accreditation by your Brackley building company demonstrates their reliability and professionalism in the building trade. You are able to check how well a building company has performed in the past by visiting the TrustMark website and looking at the dependability figures it has accomplished. This is a scheme run by by the Trading Standards Authority with endorsement from the UK government.
Happily the overwhelming majority of building contractors who carry out basement conversions in the Brackley area are highly qualified and trustworthy building and construction workers. A competent conversion company will help you in any possible way to give you proof of their credibility, and provide all the necessary information so as to develop trust and a unified working relationship.
Cellar Tanking Brackley
Before tanking your cellar in Brackley, you should make certain that all loose materials, cracks and joints are removed. Then, apply a coating of breathable rendering. After applying a second coat, check the tanking for signs of seeping and add a salt inhibitor as appropriate. These steps are essential when tanking your basement to prevent future damp patches.
Tanking your cellar in Brackley can be pretty expensive. The cost will be dependent on the dimensions of your cellar, the kind of substrate, and the extent of dampness. A professional damp proof specialist in Brackley will visit your house and provide a bespoke quote. If you're uncertain about whether tanking is the right thing your cellar, ask a damp proofing specialist to determine its suitability.
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.
Tanking is a process where waterproof cement is applied to basement floors, walls and ceilings. It prevents water from seeping into the walls and makes them watertight permanently. As basement walls are normally below ground level, water from the surrounding terrain can permeate the walls and carry salts to the basement. Therefore, the tanking slurry is created specifically to overcome these issues and create a watertight barrier. (Tags: Cellar Tanking Brackley, Basement Tanking Brackley, Cemetitious Tanking Brackley, Cellar Water Proofing Brackley)
Home Cinema Conversions
Of all the different ideas about what to do with a basement conversion in Brackley, one of the most popular at present is to transform it into a home cinema or home entertainment centre. This is of course a perfect option for people who love nothing more than watching box sets or movies. A basement or cellar is a wonderful setting for a home cinema, being normally dark and having a lack of natural daylight. In addition, this is going to develop some extra social space in your home and be a useful place where friends and family can gather together and hang out. (Tags: Home Cinema Conversions Brackley, Basement Home Cinemas Brackley, Home Entertainment Conversions Brackley)
Basement Conversion Tasks Brackley
Most likely you arrived here hunting for basic basement conversion, yet your local Brackley cellar conversion specialist can provide a wide array of additional tasks and services, and these could include cementitious tanking Brackley, bonded sheet membranes, budget cellar conversion Brackley, structural waterproofing, cellar conversions, basement remodeling, basement waterproofing, basement flooding solutions, cellar damp proofing, basement damp proofing, damp proofing, cellar waterproofing, woodworm treaments, basement underpinning, cellar conversion ideas, basement soundproofing in Brackley, domestic cellar conversion, commercial cellar conversion, basement electrics, low ceiling cellar conversion Brackley, cellar excavation, cellar remodeling, cellar surveys, cellar conversion quotations, cellar tanking in Brackley, timber preservation, small cellar conversion, basement conversions, and more. This is simply a taste of what you can expect from someone doing cellar conversion. Brackley professionals will be more than happy to provide a full list of cellar conversion services when requested. You could always click HERE and submit our simple quote form, if you've got basement conversion requirements in Brackley, that you cannot find here.
Cellar Conversion Near Brackley
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