Cellar Conversion Comber Northern Ireland (BT23): A cellar (or basement) conversion can turn that dark, cheerless basement into an airy, warm and dry useable living space whilst also creating an extra room in your Comber house. Additionally, it brings a fully functioning room nearer to the main living space of your house, which is useful for entertaining, to use as a home gym, a study or perhaps a spare bedroom for elderly relatives.
A cellar or basement conversion is also a good way to add to the value of your home; Savills the estate agents have claimed that it is usually in the region of 10-15% more than the market value of comparable homes in the Comber area. If you've already converted your loft to accommodate your growing family, a cellar conversion allows you to create desirable extra family living space. It's about more than just enhancing your everyday life; such an investment also positions your dwelling competitively in the Comber real estate market.
If you're thinking about doing a basement conversion be sure you have asked yourself these questions before rushing into anything: 1. Are the advantages of a cellar conversion really worth the expense that is involved with doing it? 2. Exactly what are you going to do with the extra space? 3. What is a conversion going to mean with regards to the amount of work required and disturbance to your household? 4. How can you pick a building company that you can depend on to do a professional basement conversion in Comber?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Comber?
In contrast to constructing loft conversions and extensions, a basement conversion doesn't usually need local authority planning permission if you're just turning it into a useable living space, but if you have to do any construction works for example lowering the floor you need to ask your local authorities precisely what is needed. You will however have to check with the local council authorities if you share a party wall (requires different regulations), if you live in a conservation area or if your home is listed.
Among the main reasons given by homeowners in Comber for remodeling a pre-existing basement or cellar is to transform the underused space into something functional. In Comber, where living space is sometimes in short supply, this is the top priority for most people. A cellar conversion can also be employed as a means by which to earn a bit of extra money by turning that largely unused space into a self contained apartment and renting it out.
In all honesty the only limits to what you can do with your cellar conversion are your imagination and your budget. In Comber games rooms, instant pubs and home cinemas are favourite options for the use of a basement conversion, to provide a welcome place to entertain family and pals. Another firm favourite, and perhaps more desirable given recent developments, is the building of a home office or study where you will be able to escape the stressful daily commute and enjoy a place in your house where you are much less likely to be disturbed while working.
What is Involved?
Despite the fact that planning permission may not need to be obtained there are particular Building Regulation approvals that you will certainly require. These regulations give you, and any future owner of your property, the reassurance that the basement conversion conforms to the guidelines and legislation for fire escapes, damp proofing, electrical systems, ventilation, health & safety, water sources and minimum ceiling heights. These regulations and rules should be dealt with as part of the construction process by your Comber cellar conversion company.
Even if there aren't any visible indications of mould or damp in your cellar, it will still need some form of waterproof membrane in order to stay water-resistant and render it suitable for converting. Your preferred basement conversion specialist in Comber will discuss which waterproofing procedure is best for your property and make certain its installation conforms to BS8102 recommendations. To put your mind at ease, ask the building company if they can provide you with an insurance supported warranty to cover damp proof membrane failure and subsequent water ingress.
The ventilation, flooring, insulation, heating system, water sources, electrical installations and lights will probably also need to be installed or upgraded. Increasing in popularity is under-floor heating which disseminates heat evenly around the room and is really efficient in this setting. It requires minimal maintenance once it is installed and is a concealed form of heating, which helps to save precious space.
Only professional electricians must be used to complete any electric rewiring that needs to be undertaken on your conversion. Lighting are usually sunk in to avoid height issues and there are a whole host of low cost and efficient LED light fittings that look amazing and will brighten your cellar conversion to make it seem light and airy.
Ventilation and insulation are two crucial elements that have to be discussed from the planning and design phase. The correct insulation should provide enough protection to stop damp causing cold spots from developing in your conversion. Furthermore poor ventilation can lead to complications, not just from stagnant air, but also by encouraging a build up of humidity which is a big concern where dampness is concerned.
Finding a Cellar Conversion Company in Comber
The judicious approach is to obtain at least three quotes from different building contractors in Comber, to compare service, guarantees and prices for your conversion project. If you've got any concerns about the experience of a building company it should not be an issue if you ask to see their certificates of accreditation and membership of the appropriate trade bodies.
If you receive an initial quotation after an on-site survey it may only apply to the basic aspects of your basement conversion, such as access issues, the floor and waterproofing considerations. During discussions with your contractor you'll be able to incorporate your personal preferences, i.e. you might need an area to be split up, have a bathroom or kitchen installed or increase the ceiling height by excavating the pre-existing floor.
The final quote should contain all necessary building regulation, planning application and party wall agreement paperwork applicable to the Comber area before any actual work is able to begin. It should also be broken down into individual parts of the overall project so you are able to get a better idea of the final price.
A reputable company can offer recommendations to resolve all of your worries including ways in which to improve natural light to your cellar conversion by the use of light wells or opening up the staircase. If you need new electrical wiring for additional electrical sockets, lighting or computing and home entertainment systems these will all be addressed now.
If your access to the basement is restricted it may have to be adapted subject to what you have planned for your conversion. There is little point in planning for a fully equipped gym, pool room or bar if you can just about manage to get down a narrow flight of stairs while carrying a mug of coffee.
It's crystal clear that no matter what you decide to convert your cellar into, you will need it to remain dry and warm in summer and winter. Employing a trustworthy cellar conversion specialist with membership, accreditation and guarantees from the construction and building trade bodies will enable this to be accomplished and put your mind at rest.
Search for Comber cellar conversion companies that are members of the FMB (Federation of Master Builders) and if you have any doubts you can always ask the FMB that they're actually on their approved members list. Another smart way to check up on a firm's trustworthiness is to see if it's included on the Trustmark website. This is a Trading Standards Authority run scheme and it's approved by the government.
The majority of cellar conversion companies in the Comber area are legitimate and genuine businesses with a highly qualified workforce. A genuine company will assist you in any way to give you evidence of their integrity, and provide all the necessary information in order to build trust and a harmonious working relationship.
Householders based in Balloo, Crossnacreevy, Lisbane, Ballygowan, Carrowdore, Killinchy, Millisle, Moneyreach, Dundonald, Saintfield, Greyabbey, or other locations outside Comber are also able to access such basement conversion services, and take full advantage of the convenience they provide. Local Comber basement conversion specialists will likely have the telephone code 028 and the postcode BT23. Checking this out can guarantee you access locally based providers of cellar conversion. Comber householders are able to benefit from these and various other comparable services. To to make enquiries and obtain cellar conversion quotations, click on the "Quote" banner.
Cellar Tanking Comber
Before tanking your cellar in Comber, you should make certain that all loose materials, joints and cracks are removed. Then, apply a coating of breathable render. After applying a second coat, check the tanking for signs of seeping and you should add a salt inhibitor as appropriate. These steps are essential to tank your cellar and prevent damp patches in the future.
Tanking your basement in Comber can be quite expensive. The cost will depend on the dimensions of your cellar, the type of substrate, and the extent of dampness. An experienced damp proof specialist in Comber will visit your house and provide a bespoke quote. If you're uncertain about whether tanking is the right thing your basement, ask a damp expert to assess its suitability.
Tanking is a process where waterproof cement is applied to cellar ceilings, walls and floors. It prevents water from seeping into these surfaces and makes them permanently watertight. As cellar walls are usually below ground level, water from the surrounding soil can pass through the walls and carry salts to the basement. Therefore, the tanking slurry is created specifically to eliminate these problems and create a watertight barrier.
Basement Waterproofing Comber
Just about the most vital element of a cellar conversion is waterproofing your existing basement. Shelling out a fortune on converting your basement and then discovering that it is still mouldy and damp isn't a scenario that you want to go through in a hurry. This is why you need to find a professional basement conversion firm in Comber to undertake the work. Essentially there are two main ways by which an underground cellar can be waterproofed. Water can be prevented from getting into a basement by either stopping its incursion using a water impermeable cementitious tanking material which is put on as a semi-liquid slurry, or through the use of waterproof membranes which redirect water into a cavity and then sucked out with a sump pump.
Basement Planning Permission - Do I Need It?
If you've already got a basement beneath your house, and are curious about whether or not you will need to have planning permission from your local authority for a basement conversion in Comber, the likely answer is "probably not". This will typically be regarded as a straightforward "change of use". If you have to increase the overall volume of the house by digging out the basement floor to improve the ceiling height, you might need planning permission, since it's going to be treated more like an extension. Permission will almost always be approved, provided that you aren't altering your home's exterior to any great degree. Your chosen cellar conversion specialist in Comber will be able to get this information for you, or you can speak to your local authority planning department. For much more details and information head over to the planning portal here.
Basement Conversion Surveys
If you've got a cellar or basement in your property in Comber, it can be easily converted into a useful living space. A professional survey is necessary to determine if your cellar/basement is suitable for converting, before any physical work is undertaken.
Taking note of the planned usage of the space in question, the surveyor, who will be qualified in below-ground constructions, will conduct an in-depth survey of your cellar. This will allow them to establish exactly what measures need to be taken to legally and safely do a conversion on your cellar.
The structure of your cellar will be examined, and the demands for adequate ventilation, water drainage and electricity installation will be taken into account. Building regulations and British Standards requirements specifically target basement and cellar conversions, and your surveyor will address each requirement that is relevant. These will include factors like fire escapes, damp proofing and ceiling height, and if there are any party wall agreements which need to be considered. If you are looking to have a basement conversion survey in Comber, there are several authorised surveyors in the region who'll be able to conduct this for you.
Installing a Sump Pump
The installation of a sump pump is a key preventative measure for protecting your property against water damage. A sump pump is a tool that assists in the removal of water that has accumulated in crawl spaces or basements. The importance of this cannot be overstated as excess water can give rise to mould, structural damage, and various other issues. The process of installation usually requires excavation of a pit in the cellar or crawl space's lowest point and then placing the sump pump inside. Next, the pump is connected to a discharge pipe that channels the water away from the house. The installation of a battery backup system by householders may be preferred to maintain the pump's functioning during power cuts or other emergency situations. For efficient water management in the home, it is essential to have an experienced professional install a sump pump to ensure proper placement and setup. Installing a sump pump is a smart investment in safeguarding a property against water damage in the long term.
Cellar Excavation Comber
The process of creating space for a cellar conversion by removing rock, dirt, and other debris is called cellar excavation. Careful planning and execution are required for this complex and challenging process. The specific methods used for cellar excavation will vary according to the soil conditions, the depth of the cellar and the availability of equipment.
The open-cut method is one of the most common techniques that is used for cellar excavation in Comber. A trench is dug around the perimeter of the cellar area in this method. The trench is then deepened and widened until the desired depth is reached. The site is then emptied of the excavated material.
Another common approach to cellar excavation is the top-down method. The basement walls are the first step in this method. The area between the cellar walls is then cleared of the excavated material, which is then removed. Urban areas with limited excavation space are often where this approach is employed.
The method used for excavation must be appropriate for the soil conditions involved. Loose or sandy soil may necessitate a wall-supporting excavation technique. This could involve anchors, bracing, or a combination of the two.
After the excavation process is complete, the cellar walls, foundation, and floor are diligently constructed, forming the foundation for the building's substructure. Ensuring the basement's integrity against moisture intrusion and proper drainage is the culminating step in basement construction.
Experienced professionals alone are qualified to carry out the substantial undertaking of basement excavation. Excavating a cellar is fraught with risks like structural damage to the property, soil instability, groundwater flooding, and the possibility of injuries or fatalities among workers. (10712 - Basement Excavation Comber)
Cellar Conversion Near Comber
Also find: Crossnacreevy cellar conversion, Moneyreach cellar conversion, Carrowdore cellar conversion, Ballygowan cellar conversion, Saintfield cellar conversion, Lisbane cellar conversion, Balloo cellar conversion, Greyabbey cellar conversion, Dundonald cellar conversion, Millisle cellar conversion, Killinchy cellar conversion and more. There are building contractors who do cellar conversion in most of these towns and villages. These seasoned professionals can convert your basement into an inviting and functional living space, thanks to their wealth of know-how and expertise. If you're dreaming of a cosy basement lounge, an extra bedroom or a home office, these experts can make your dreams come to life. Local property owners can get cellar conversion estimates by going here.
Basement Conversion Tasks Comber
Things such as commercial basement conversions, sump pumps, cellar excavation, waterproof membranes, basement conversion ideas, basement surveys, cellar conversion planning permission, wine cellar installation, sprayed concrete, cellar surveys, basement tanking, basement flooring in Comber, basement refurbishment, domestic basement conversion Comber, basement rendering, woodworm treatment, basement soundproofing, basement waterproofing, small cellar conversions, cellar conversions, PIV (positive input ventilation), basement lighting, basement conversion quotes, bonded sheet membranes, low ceiling basement conversions Comber, cellar damp proofing in Comber, cementitious tanking, cellar conversion underpinning in Comber are just a taste of the wide range of tasks and services that your local Comber cellar conversion specialist can deliver. Listed are just a small portion of the duties that are performed by a builder doing cellar conversion. Comber companies who are operating in the local area will keep you abreast of the entire range of cellar conversion services that are offered. If there's something basement related, which you need but do not see listed here, you could always go to this QUOTE FORM and fill in your details.
Other Useful Services and Trades in Comber Northern Ireland: Of course, whenever you happen to be doing home remodeling in Comber, Northern Ireland, you'll likely need all sorts of different tradespeople and as well as a cellar conversion specialist in Comber, Northern Ireland, you may additionally need damp proofing in Comber, a bricklayer in Comber, timber preservation in Comber, condensation control in Comber, an electrician in Comber, black mould removal in Comber, SKIP HIRE in Comber, a home extension in Comber, a painter & decorator in Comber, a carpenter in Comber, a plasterer in Comber, a plumber in Comber, loft conversion in Comber, basement surveys in Comber, basement waterproofing in Comber, a building contractor in Comber, a flooring specialist in Comber, waste removal in Comber, and other different Comber tradesmen.
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