Cellar Conversion Harlow Essex (CM20): Turning an unwelcoming and dark basement into a bright, airy living space is an excellent option for anybody in Harlow looking to generate extra space in their home without the need to build an extension. In addition, it brings a fully functional room closer to the main living areas of your home, which is very useful for hosting parties, to use as a home gym, an office or even a self-contained living space for an elderly relative.
A basement or cellar conversion can also be a smart way to add value your home in Harlow, with Savills indicating that it can increase by ten to fifteen percent above the market value of similar houses nearby. A basement conversion is a great solution for ever growing families who have already utilised their attic for extra bedrooms and need additional space for comfortable family living. Such an investment doesn't just improve your daily living; it also places your dwelling in a stronger competitive position in the the Harlow real estate market.
Before jumping into any basement conversion project, you should ask yourself the following questions: 1. Exactly how much work will need to be carried out on the cellar to convert it into a useable space? 2. How can you steer clear of "cowboy" builders and identify a top notch Harlow company who'll be able to convert the cellar and provide guarantees for all the work that's required? 3. Are the attributes of a cellar conversion really worth the expense that is associated with doing it? 4. Just what do you want to do with the extra space you're going to create with the basement conversion?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Harlow?
If you are only going to refurbish a pre-existing basement without the need to raise the ceiling height, then more often than not you will not need local authority planning permission. In most situations you're free to use a remodeled and converted cellar with very few limitations, however if your property is in a conservation area, shares a party wall with a neighbour or is a listed building, there are different rules that have to be followed.
For most homeowners in Harlow, the reason they wish to have a basement or cellar conversion created in their house is to free up valuable extra living space. If like lots of other people in Harlow you find space is restricted, this can be a major priority. A basement conversion can also be done as a way to earn a bit of extra cash by turning that largely unused space into a self contained flat and charging rent for it.
The final design of your cellar conversion and how it's used are based on what your own imagination can come up with, and what your budget can allow. Maybe you have always dreamt of having a home cinema or games room, or you could put in a bar and "hey presto", an instant pub for you and your friends. If you happen to be a home worker 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 kids and family.
What is Involved?
As has already been mentioned, planning permission may not be necessary in the majority of instances, but you definitely will have to get Building Regulations consent. This will ensure that your new living space follows all the Health and Safety laws and guidelines for ventilation, fire escapes, ceiling height, electrical installations, damp proofing and water supply. These necessary regulations and rules should be handled as an integral part of the construction process by your Harlow basement conversion specialists.
Even if there are no visible signs of mould or damp in your cellar, it will still require some type of waterproof membrane or cementitious tanking in order to remain dry and make it acceptable for conversion. Your selected cellar conversion specialists in Harlow will discuss which damp proofing procedure is most suitable for your home and make certain its installation complies with BS8102 regulations. To put your mind at ease, ask the building company if they can provide you with an insurance supported guarantee against damp proof membrane failure and any subsequent water ingress.
The flooring, lights, electrical installations, insulation, ventilation, heating system and water supply will probably all need to be upgraded or installed from scratch. Under floor heating is increasingly popular in cellar and basement conversions in Harlow as it is efficient and spreads heat evenly. This space saving style of heating is concealed beneath your cellar floor covering and requires a minimal amount of maintenance once installed.
Electrical re-wiring must be left to a skilled tradesperson. Try to make use of recessed lighting fixtures to reduce the concern about height problems, and with a variety of cheap LED light fittings avaiable for purchase, your basement can feel airy and bright even if there is no natural light source.
Two vital elements that your contractor will will want to discuss with you are how to provide the necessary ventilation and insulation. The appropriate insulation should provide sufficient protection to stop damp causing cold spots from occuring in your basement conversion. Damp and mould can also be a consequence of increased humidity levels if the quality of ventilation in your conversion is inadequate.
Selecting a Cellar Conversion Contractor in Harlow
As is the case with all major construction projects, it is best to obtain more than one price quote to give you an opportunity to compare prices from different contractors in Harlow. Ask to see appropriate building trade accreditation and membership certificates, if you are at all in doubt about their expertise or workmanship.
An initial quote may be given following an on-site survey for a basic cellar conversion with waterproofing, flooring and access measures being evaluated. Additional discussions will be needed over your own different prerequisites, i.e. adding a bathroom or kitchen, constructing a partition wall to divide up a room, or excavating the pre-existing floor to improve room height.
An accurate quote from a local Harlow cellar conversion specialist needs to contain any necessary building regulation applications, party wall agreements and planning laws required before work can begin. The final quotation should also give a job-by-job breakdown of the individual parts of the cellar conversion to give you a true idea of the costs involved at each stage.
With such a diversity of stuff to consider, a professional cellar conversion specialist will be able to provide solutions to any concerns you might have and also advising on methods by which to improve natural light by opening up the stairway or the installation of light wells. They'll also be able to advise how best to adapt the cellar and electrical wiring for additional electrical sockets, lighting, entertainment systems and computer networks you need.
Contingent on your planned use of your conversion it would pay you to think seriously about the height and width of your access points. Your design might be based on turning your cellar into a designer bar, gym or pool room, but if the access isn't suitable how will you get the equipment down there?
Keeping your cellar warm and free from damp is a priority against whatever the British weather can throw at it. For this you need your conversion specialist to be qualified and backed up by membership and accreditation to professional trade bodies.
A Federation of Master Builders membership and accreditation by your Harlow conversion specialist illustrates their reliability and professionalism in the building industry. If you would like to check out a conversion company's previous performance you can see if it is a part of the TrustMark scheme. TrustMark is a scheme that enjoys full support from the government and was created by Trading Standards.
Fortunately a large majority of companies who undertake basement conversions in the Harlow area are highly qualified and trustworthy building and construction workers. A competent company will assist you in any possible way to provide proof of their reliability, and provide all the necessary information in order to develop trust and a unified working relationship.
In places like Brays Grove, Tye Green, Newhall, Halls Green, Old Harlow, Temple Fields, Gilston, Nazeing, Bush Fair, Church Langley, Roydon, Matching Tye, and others near to Harlow, these vital basement conversions are still largely accessible for those people who need them. Locally based Harlow basement conversion specialists will likely have the dialling code 01279 and the postcode CM20. Checking this can guarantee you access local providers of cellar conversion. Harlow homeowners can benefit from these and numerous other comparable services.
Basement Planning Permission - Do I Need It?
If your home in Harlow already has a cellar that is currently being used as storage or something similar, and you want to convert it into a livable space, it's going to be regarded as "change of use" and you won't need to apply for planning permission from your local authority. If you have to increase the volume of the property by digging out the cellar floor to raise the ceiling height, you could then need to have planning permission, as it's going to be treated as a sort of extension. In most cases planning permission is hardly ever refused, provided that the external appearance of your property is not going to be changed to any serious degree. If you're in any doubt you'll need to speak to your local planning office or get your Harlow basement conversion company to get the information on your behalf. For more info pop along to the planning portal here.
Basement Tanking Harlow
Basement tanking is the term used to describe the process of waterproofing basements and cellars against damp and water penetration. Applying a special waterproof coating to the basement's floor and walls is necessary for this work. To maintain a dry and functional basement, this coating prevents the infiltration of moisture by creating a waterproof barrier.
The preparation of the surfaces to be treated, is generally the first step in the basement tanking process. This includes cleaning the floors and walls, removing any existing paint or plaster, and repairing any damage or cracks. As soon as the surfaces are ready, multiple layers of the waterproof coating is applied, to provide comprehensive protection against water ingress.
A property in Harlow can be transformed through basement tanking, which increases its value and usability. By converting a waterproofed, dry basement, you can create extra living space, such as a gym, a home entertainment centre, a bedroom or an office. Preventing damp and mould, basement tanking maintains a much healthier indoor environment and protects the well-being of the building structure and its occupants. (Tags: Basement Tanking Harlow)
Design Consultation and Planning
Essential to the process of transforming a cellar into a usable living space are design and planning consultation. If you want to create a guest room, home office, or cozy den that is optimised for the available space, working with a professional designer is advisable.
Identifying your needs and goals for the space is the initial step in design and planning consultation. When planning the project, it's important to factor in things such as insulation, ventilation and lighting, and necessary electrical or plumbing work.
Taking into account factors like windows, access points and ceiling height, a designer can help determine the optimal layout for the space. The selection of fittings, furnishings and finishes that create a harmonious look and feel can be aided by a designer.
It's necessary to factor in the project's timeline, budget, and required approvals and permits during the planning stage. With the assistance of a professional and careful planning, you can convert your cellar into a stunning and practical living area that caters to your every need.
Coming Soon:
Low ceiling cellar conversions (article 1743).
Family & Friends
Getting recommendations from friends and family members is invariably extremely helpful whenever you're looking for a builder for your project or undertaking in Harlow. These personal references can be one of the most effective ways to weed out inferior builders and companies that have poor reputations, and help you to identify a tradesperson who is a suitable fit for what you need.
Getting the feedback of a friend or family member also means that you can determine whether anything went wrong, how rapidly problems were rectified, and what the builder's attitude was like. Furthermore you can get some insights into the reliability and time keeping of the contractor concerned. You can get a perception of how accurate was the initial quotation compared to the final price charged. which is usually hard to get from the contractors themselves unless they offer a guaranteed price promise.
Since your friends and family members are individuals you know and can trust in relation to their advice, they ought to be your first point of reference. It's likely that they've had a disappointing experience, if they're hesitant to talk about a specific contractor or company. You may face a situation where some people will be perfectly happy to recommend a decent quality builder, less inclined to mention a lousy one, and rather than 'malign' a a far from perfect business they've had dealings with previously, they might even offer a different company instead.
Information, Help and Social Media
With a brief search on the internet you will be able to read plenty of invaluable articles on basement conversions, basement conversion designs and cellar conversions - we noticed this engaging one on the ultimate guide to cellar remodeling head here. To keep up to date with the most recent cellar conversion trends on social websites, check this out. Head here to learn about cellar remodeling - before, during and after. To find recommended and approved cellar conversion companies in Harlow you could pay a visit to Trustmark of the FMB. The dedicated Wikipedia "basement" page is the spot to head to for information regarding drainage issues, the uses for cellars and basements, the different variations of cellar, structural & design factors and basement finishings and culture.
Cellar Conversion Tasks Harlow
There is a range of work that can be accomplished by your local Harlow basement conversion specialist including the installation of basement staircases, low ceiling basement conversions Harlow, woodworm treaments, cellar rendering, PIV (positive input ventilation), basement waterproofing, low ceiling cellar conversion Harlow, condensation control Harlow, basement damp proofing, wine cellar installation, basement conversions, domestic cellar conversion in Harlow, cementitious tanking, budget basement conversion Harlow, sump pump installation, basement remodeling, basement conversion underpinning in Harlow, small cellar conversions, basement floor repair Harlow, condensation control, cellar conversions, cellar conversion quotes, black mould removal, basement tanking Harlow, basement conversion in Harlow, cellar surveys, waterproof membranes, basement flooring, and more. This is in no way an all-embracing list of what is available from a builder doing cellar conversion. Harlow providers will will be happy to update you with their full range of basement conversion services if you get in touch with them. If there is something basement related, which you need but can't find mentioned here, you could always go to this QUOTE FORM and fill out your details.
Basement Conversion Near Harlow
Also find: Bush Fair cellar conversion, Temple Fields cellar conversion, Old Harlow cellar conversion, Church Langley cellar conversion, Roydon cellar conversion, Halls Green cellar conversion, Gilston cellar conversion, Nazeing cellar conversion, Newhall cellar conversion, Tye Green cellar conversion, Brays Grove cellar conversion, Matching Tye cellar conversions and more. The majority of these villages and towns are serviced by companies who do cellar conversion. Harlow householders can get basement conversion quotations by clicking here.
Basement Conversion Services Harlow
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Other Useful Trades in Harlow Essex: Needless to say, when you're doing home renovations in Harlow, Essex, you will probably be in need of all types of different tradespeople and along with a cellar conversion specialist in Harlow, Essex, you might also need cellar waterproofing in Harlow, a painter & decorator in Harlow, SKIP HIRE in Harlow, an electrician in Harlow, a flooring specialist in Harlow, a joiner in Harlow, home improvements in Harlow, a renderer in Harlow, a bricklayer/stonemason in Harlow, a loft conversion specialist in Harlow, timber preservation in Harlow, condensation control in Harlow, black mould removal in Harlow, damp proofing in Harlow, garage conversion in Harlow, a builder in Harlow, a plumber in Harlow, basement surveys in Harlow, and other different Harlow tradesmen.
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To find out local Harlow info take a look here
Basement conversions in CM20 area, and dialling code 01279.
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