Cellar Conversion Canterbury

According to the estate agents Savills, a converted basement can also add between ten and fifteen percent to the value of your house. For people with expanding families, who could have already converted their attic for extra bedrooms, a basement conversion offer them a means by which to add that much needed extra space which is vitally important for comfortable family life. Such an investment doesn't just improve your daily life; it also places your dwelling in a stronger competitive position in the the real estate market.

Prior to taking the plunge it's worthwhile to ask a few questions: 1. What sort of costs are involved and what positive advantages can be gained from a basement conversion? 2. Just what do you want to do with the additional space you are going to achieve with the conversion? 3. Just how much work will need to be carried out on the cellar to turn it into a functional area? 4. How can you track down a local Canterbury based cellar conversion company that is dependable and reliable?

If your property has already got a basement, you won't have to submit an application for planning permission if you're only converting it into a living space, but if you have to excavate the floor to elevate the height of the ceiling then you should check with your local council first. There are various different protocols if your house shares a party wall with a neighbour, is in a conservation area or is listed, however in the majority of cases you are free to use the area as a living area with very few restrictions.

For a lot of people in Canterbury, the reason they want to have a cellar or basement conversion created in their house is to make use of valuable extra living space. This is particularly true where space is restricted such as in many parts of Canterbury. If you do not actually need the additional living space for you own use, a cellar conversion can easily be turned into a self contained unit to bring in some welcome extra income.

The final design of your cellar conversion and its uses are dependent on what your imagination comes up with, and what your budget allows. Perhaps you have always dreamt of a home cinema or games room, or you could always put in a bar and "hey presto", an instant pub for you and your buddies. If you are somebody who works from home a basement conversion can create the ideal home study by providing you with a custom-built space where you are much less inclined to be disturbed by children and family.

What is Involved?

Although local authority planning permission may not have to be acquired there are particular Building Regulation approvals that you will need. These Building Regulations, which have to be followed by your builders will ensure that your cellar conversion satisfies all the necessary construction guidelines and health and safety laws. Fortunately your Canterbury cellar conversion company will be able to deal with all of these rules and regulations as part of the construction process.

To make certain your basement conversion stays dry and warm throughout its life, a damp proof membrane or cementitious tanking will have to be installed even if there are no visible indications of damp or water ingress. Your chosen basement conversion specialist in Canterbury will discuss which damp proofing technique is most suitable for your project and ensure it is installed according to BS8102 guidelines. For peace of mind, ask the construction company if they can provide you with an insurance protected warranty to cover water ingress due to the possible failure of the damp proof membrane.

The installation or upgrading of water sources, floor surfaces, lights, electrical installations, ventilation, heating and insulation will all have to be discussed with your preferred contractor. Increasing in popularity is under-floor heating which circulates heat evenly around the space and is extremely efficient. Additionally it is concealed beneath your selected flooring style and needs very little upkeep.

Any sort of electric re-wiring must be completed by an experienced electrician. Efficient and low cost LED light fittings can be recessed into the ceiling to provide the maximum possible ceiling to floor height and make sure that your basement conversion has a natural, bright feel.

There are regulations relating to adequate ventilation and insulation to basement conversions and your builder will want to discuss the various options with you in the early stages. The appropriate insulation ought to provide sufficient protection to stop damp from cold spots occuring in your basement conversion. Substandard ventilation can also bring about a constant build up of humidity which can easily cause issues with mould and damp.

As is the case with all major construction projects, it's best to obtain more than one price quote to give you the opportunity to evaluate different company's prices. Ask to see appropriate building trade membership and accreditation certificates, if you've got any concerns about their expertise.

After an on-site survey you might be given a preliminary quote which evaluates the standard cost of your conversion, covering elements such as floors, access and damp proofing. Follow up conversations with the builders should look to provide clarification of your requirements, i.e. the installation of a toilet or kitchen in a separate room or increasing the height of your cellar by the excavating of the existing floor.

An exact quotation from a nearby Canterbury basement conversion specialist should include any appropriate planning laws, party wall agreements and building regulation applications required before work can begin. So as to get a better idea of the costs involved with each phase of the work, you need to ensure the final quotation also includes a full breakdown of each part of the project.

In Canterbury, a proficient builder can offer expert suggestions and advice on a range of factors, such as methods to increase natural light in your conversion. Options like light wells installation or staircase alterations can be proposed to brighten the area. Furthermore, should your cellar conversion need new electrical work for additional sockets, lighting, or computing and entertainment systems, these requirements will be addressed at this point. The builder's skill ensures every detail is thoughtfully planned and implemented, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your conversion. Such meticulous planning is crucial for integrating modern features while preserving the conversion's original character and style.

Depending on how you plan to use your cellar conversion it would pay you to think seriously about the width and height of your entry points. Your fancy design might be based on turning your cellar conversion into a snooker room, designer bar or gym, but if the access isn't suitable how will you get the equipment down there?

It's crystal clear that regardless of what you choose to convert your cellar into, you'll want it to remain dry and warm at all times of the year. For this to occur you need your cellar conversion company to be certified and endorsed by accreditation and membership to professional building associations.

Search for Canterbury conversion companies that are signed up members of the FMB (Federation of Master Builders) and if you're at all doubtful you can always ask the FMB to check if they're really on their list of approved members. If you wish to check a conversion company's past performance you can look to see if it is included in the respected TrustMark scheme. This is a helpful scheme founded by Trading Standards with approval from the government.

There are many legitimate and dependable builders in Canterbury who will be able to help you convert your cellar with the assistance of a highly qualified and trained workforce within the building trade. However it takes only a small number of unethical companies to create distrust, and a professional company will recognise your concerns and help allay your worries in any way possible.

Needless to say, it's not just in the town of Canterbury itself where you can access basement conversions but also in Lower Hardres, Tyler Hill, Littlebourne, Hoath, Chartham, Bridge, Aylesham, Fordwich, Bekesbourne, Chilham, Broadoak, Chartham Hatch, Blean, Rough Common, Harbledown, and other nearby towns and villages. Locally based Canterbury basement conversion specialists will probably have the postcode CT1 and the telephone code 01227. Verifying this will make sure that you're accessing local providers of cellar conversion. Canterbury householders can utilise these and lots of other comparable services. Click on the "Quote" banner to obtain quotes for cellar conversion.

Basement Planning Permission - Do I Need It?

If you already have a basement below your home, and are concerned about whether you will require planning permission for a basement conversion in Canterbury, the answer is "probably not". This will usually be considered to be a simple "change of use". If you have to expand the volume of the house by digging up the cellar floor to lift the ceiling height, you could then need to have planning permission, since it will be treated as similar to an extension. If you aren't changing your property's external appearance to any significant degree, this shouldn't be an issue and your planning application will almost always be granted. If you are at all doubtful you'll need to communicate with your local planning office or get your Canterbury cellar conversion company to get the information on your behalf.

Cellar/Basement Conversion Surveys Canterbury

A lot of households in Canterbury will think about converting their basement or cellar into an additional living area at some point in time. A professional survey is needed to see if your particular cellar/basement is actually suitable for conversion, before any work is started.

As soon as the surveyor, who will be certified in underground construction, understands the planned usage of the converted space he or she will be able to carry out a detailed survey. This will allow them to establish exactly what measures must be taken to safely and legally do a conversion on your basement.

There will be a full evaluation of floor, wall and ceiling construction, as well as allowing for the demands for ventilation, electricity and drainage. British Standards guidelines and building regulations are specific where basement and cellar conversions take place, and your surveyor will address each stipulation that is relevant. Such regulations include factors like minimum ceiling heights, fire escapes and party wall agreements, and standards of damp and waterproofing. If you need a cellar conversion survey in Canterbury, there are several accredited surveyors in the region who will be happy to do this for you.

The Importance of Waterproofing

One of the most critical aspects of a cellar conversion is waterproofing your existing basement. You surely do not want to spend all that cash converting your basement or cellar, only to discover that the space you've created is damp and mouldy. This is precisely why it's essential to use a highly experienced conversion team in Canterbury to manage the project. There are basically two methods that can be used for waterproofing an underground cellar. Moisture can be checked from getting into your cellar by either impeding its ingress using a water impermeable cementitious tanking material that's put on as a wet slurry, or by installing waterproof membranes which reroute water into a cavity and then pumped out.

Cellar Excavation Canterbury

Cellar excavation is the process of digging and expanding the lower levels of a building, with the purpose of extending an existing cellar space or creating a new one. A complex construction procedure is employed to increase storage or living areas and enhance property value. Handling the excavation are competent specialists who ensure correct support systems, waterproofing and structural integrity. Cellar excavations offer valuable opportunities to convert underused spaces into habitable and functional areas, thereby enhancing the property's overall appeal and utility. Successful cellar excavation projects require careful planning and strict compliance with safety standards. (78787 - Basement Excavation Canterbury)

Family & Friends

It is invariably extremely useful to ask whether friends and family members have any recommendations when searching for a builder for your project or undertaking in Canterbury. Word of mouth referrals are generally the most effective way identify someone who's suitable for your requirements, and can equally weed out an inferior builder or a company with an awful service record.

Getting the feedback of an acquaintance or family member also means that you can find out if anything went wrong, how speedily faults were put right, and what the contractor's attitude was like. Additionally you can get first hand experience of the time keeping and reliability of the builder involved. You can get a notion of how precise was the initial quote when compared to the final price. which can often be hard to get from the contractors themselves unless they offer a guaranteed price promise.

You can depend on your friends and relatives to be truthful and honest, so they should be your first point of reference in regards to advice. If they have had an unsatisfactory experience in dealing with a particular contractor or building company, you may well discover that they'll not want to chat about them. It's frequently the case that a lot of people will be perfectly willing to speak about a decent quality contractor and less likely to talk about a mediocre one. They might even endorse an alternative company, rather than 'slag off' a below par one that they have dealt with.

Basement Conversion Tasks Canterbury

Your selected Canterbury basement conversion company will be able to help you with most conversion related tasks, such as black mould removal in Canterbury, basement lighting, cellar conversion quotes, basement surveys, small basement conversion, waterproof membranes in Canterbury, structural waterproofing Canterbury, basement underpinning, sump pumps, basement remodeling, bonded sheet membranes in Canterbury, basement rendering, domestic basement conversion, cellar conversion, cellar flooring, timber preservation, cellar conversions, positive input ventilation, cellar waterproofing, woodworm treaments, basement conversion quotes, cellar remodeling, basement electrics Canterbury, cellar conversion planning permission, basement waterproofing and more. These are just an example of the activities that are conducted by people specialising in cellar conversion. Canterbury professionals will be happy to tell you about their whole range of services.

Basement Conversion Near Canterbury

Also find: Hoath cellar conversion, Aylesham cellar conversion, Bekesbourne cellar conversion, Bridge cellar conversion, Lower Hardres cellar conversion, Fordwich cellar conversion, Chartham cellar conversion, Chilham cellar conversion, Blean cellar conversion, Harbledown cellar conversion, Littlebourne cellar conversion, Rough Common cellar conversion, Tyler Hill cellar conversion, Broadoak cellar conversion, Chartham Hatch cellar conversion and more. There are building contractors who do cellar conversion in almost all of these localities. Bringing a wealth of know-how and expertise to the table, these seasoned professionals are well-equipped to convert your cellar into an inviting and functional living space. For those imagining a snug basement lounge, a home cinema or an additional bedroom, these specialists are capable of turning such dreams into reality. By clicking here, local householders can obtain cellar conversion price quotes. So, why not get started on your cellar conversion project today!

Cellar Conversion Services Canterbury

Basement Conversion in Canterbury

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Basement conversions in CT1 area, and dialling code 01227.

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