Cellar Conversion Perth Scotland (PH1): A basement (or cellar) conversion can change that inhospitable, dark basement into an airy, warm and dry living space while also creating an extra room in your Perth property. Whether you wish to use the extra space as a study, home gym, games room or even change it into a self-contained living area, a basement conversion brings functional space closer to the living area of your house than can be achieved with a loft conversion for instance.
A basement or cellar conversion is also a way to add more value to your home; the highly regarded estate agents Savills have stated it is normally approximately ten to fifteen percent above the value of similar houses in the Perth area. For people with expanding families, who could have already converted their loft for extra bedrooms, a basement conversion offer them a means by which to add that much needed space that is crucial for family living.
Prior to taking the plunge it's worth asking a few questions: 1. Are the costs involved in a basement conversion worth the benefits that you'll gain from it? 2. What is a conversion going to mean with regard to the amount of work necessary and disruption to the home life? 3. How will you pick a building company you can rely on to do a high quality cellar conversion in Perth? 4. For what are you going to use the extra space created?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Perth?
If your property already has a cellar, then you do not need to apply for local authority planning permission if you are simply converting it into a living area, but if you need to dig out the floor to lift the ceiling height then you should double check with your local council. In most instances you are pretty much free to utilise a converted and renovated cellar with very few constraints, but if your home is a listed building, has a shared party wall with a neighbour or is in a conservation area, there are various different regulations that should be adhered to.
One of the main reasons given by homeowners in Perth for converting an existing cellar or basement is to utilise the underused space for something functional. If like lots of other people in Perth you find that space is restricted, this will be a top priority. If you do not need the additional living area for you own benefit, a basement conversion can easily be transformed into a self contained apartment to generate welcome extra income.
To be fair the only limits to your cellar conversion are your imagination and your budget. You could create a pub for entertaining your buddies by building a bar, or maybe you'd prefer a games room or modern home cinema. If you happen to be a home worker a basement conversion can become the perfect home study by providing you with a custom-built space where you're much less likely to be disturbed.
What is Involved?
As already mentioned, local authority planning permission may not be required in many instances, but you certainly will have to get Building Regulations clearance. These Building Regulations, that have to be adhered to by your builders will make sure that your cellar conversion satisfies all the necessary construction guidelines in relation to fire escapes, ceiling height, electrical wiring, water sources, ventilation, damp proofing and health & safety. Before commencing any actual physical work you preferred Perth basement conversion company should deal with these regulations and acquire the necessary documents as an integral part of the construction process.
It doesn't matter if your basement doesn't feel damp nor has any sign of mould; you'll still have to get a suitable damp proof membrane installed to offer a dry, water-resistant area that is suitable for conversion. Your selected cellar conversion specialist in Perth will go through which damp proofing method is most suitable for your property and make sure its installation complies with BS8102 regulations. To put your mind at ease, ask the conversion company if they can provide you with an insurance supported guarantee against damp proof membrane failure and resulting water ingress.
Consult with the construction company regarding the upgrade or installation of the water supply, lighting, insulation, floor surfaces, heating system, electrical installations and ventilation, to to make sure you get the most appropriate products for your specific basement conversion. Under floor heating is increasingly popular in cellar and basement conversions in Perth because it spreads heat evenly and is extremely efficient. It requires very little maintenance once fitted and is a hidden type of heating, which helps save valuable space.
Any electrical rewiring must be carried out by a skilled electrician. Try to use recessed lighting to reduce the worry about ceiling height problems, and with an assortment of inexpensive LED lights avaiable for purchase, your basement can feel airy and bright even in settings which are devoid of natural light.
Two important elements that your builder will discuss with you are how to provide the necessary ventilation and insulation. Insufficient insulation can leave your conversion with possible cold spots which can increase damp. Damp and mould can also be triggered by heightened humidity levels if the standard of ventilation in your conversion is poor.
Finding a Cellar Conversion Specialist in Perth
Before selecting your contractor in Perth, get as many estimates as you can to allow you to compare the different services and prices available. If you feel in any doubt about the credentials of a building contractor it shouldn't be an issue if you ask to see their certificates of accreditation and membership to the appropriate trade associations.
If you are given a preliminary price quote after a site survey it may only cover the basic aspects of your basement conversion, for instance access issues, the floor and damp proofing considerations. Additional consultations will be needed over your own particular necessities, for example adding a kitchen or bathroom, constructing a partition wall to divide up a room, or digging out the current floor to increase room height.
The final quotation should contain all necessary planning application, party wall agreement and building regulation paperwork applicable to the Perth area before any actual building work is able to commence. It should also be broken down into independent parts of the overall conversion project so you are able to get a better perception of the final price.
With such a diversity of stuff to consider, a reliable basement conversion specialist should be able to offer solutions to any questions you may have as well as advising on imaginative ways that you may be able to improve natural daylight by opening up stairs or the installation of light wells. This is also the time to speak to a fully qualified electrician regarding the installation of additional wiring for lighting, electrical sockets, home entertainment and computing.
If your access to the cellar is restricted it might have to be adapted subject to what use you have in mind for your conversion. Your design may be based on transforming your cellar into a gymnasium, games room or designer bar, but if access is limited how will you get the equipment down there?
Whatever it is that you eventually decide to do with your conversion you'll want it to remain warm and dry in all weathers. Employing a reliable basement conversion company with membership, accreditation and guarantees from the building and construction trade bodies will allow this to be accomplished and put your mind at rest.
A FMB (Federation of Master Builders) accreditation and membership by your Perth builder indicates their reliability in the building trade. You are able to check out how well a construction company has performed on previous jobs by going to the TrustMark website and seeing the dependability figures it has achieved. This is a beneficial scheme run by by the Trading Standards Authority with support from the government.
The majority of building companies in Perth are genuine and legitimate businesses with highly qualified tradespeople. A genuine company acknowledges the doubts of the public, caused by a small minority of unethical "cowboys", and will try everything in their power to confirm their integrity in a friendly and responsible way.
The Importance of Waterproofing
One of the most critical elements of a basement conversion is waterproofing your existing cellar. Discovering that your newly created space is damp and mouldy 12 months after carrying out your conversion is surely something you want to avoid. This is the main reason why it's essential to hire a highly professional conversion team in Perth to handle the project. There are fundamentally 2 methods that can be used for waterproofing an underground cellar. Water can be curbed from seeping into your cellar by either barring its inflow using a water impermeable cementitious tanking material that is applied as a semi-liquid slurry, or by the use of waterproof membranes which reroute water into a cavity and then sucked out with a sump pump. (Tags: Basement Waterproofing Perth, Cellar Waterproofing Perth, Waterproofing Cellars Perth)
Basement/Cellar Conversion Surveys
Converting a basement or cellar into extra living space is a project that many householders in Perth will consider sooner or later. You will need to have a professional survey carried out to make sure that your basement is actually suitable for converting.
A below-ground constructions qualified surveyor will take into account the planned use of the new space whilst carrying out the survey. This will allow them to establish exactly what measures must be implemented to legally and safely convert your basement.
There'll be a comprehensive inspection of floor, ceiling and wall construction, as well as making an allowance for the demands for plumbing, electricity and ventilation. British Standards guidelines and building regulations specifically target basement conversions, and your professional surveyor will address each requirement that is relevant. These regulations include stuff like fire escapes, party wall agreements and minimum ceiling heights, along with levels of damp and waterproofing.
Home Cinema Conversions Perth
As we have previously mentioned, there are a whole host of different ways in which you can use a cellar conversion in Perth, but one choice that is growing a lot more popular is to transform a cellar into a home cinema or movie theatre. For folks who really enjoy watching movies or box sets a home cinema is the perfect choice. Since basements are usually dark due to the lack of natural light they are an ideal setting for a cinema. Additionally, this is going to develop a bit of extra social space to your home and be a useful place where members of your family can come together and spend quality time.
Cellar Conversion Near Perth
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Basement Conversion Tasks Perth
The selection of tasks that can be carried out by your local basement conversion specialist are varied and wide, and will normally include things like budget basement conversion Perth, waterproof membranes, cellar conversion Perth, cellar lighting, basement conversion planning permission, basement rendering, basement excavation, basement conversion, cellar waterproofing, basement conversions Perth, cellar underpinning, black mould removal, basement waterproofing Perth, basement remodeling, budget cellar conversion Perth, cellar surveys, commercial cellar conversion, damp proofing, condensation control, cellar plumbing, low ceiling basement conversions Perth, wine cellar installation, domestic cellar conversion, basement conversion quotes, basement refurbishment in Perth, cellar floor repair & restoration, basement conversion ideas, cellar flooring in Perth, and others not mentioned. With regards to what's available, this is in no way an all-embracing list of what can be provided by someone doing cellar conversion. Perth professionals offering these types of basement conversion services, will provide a full-blown list if you need one. If there is something cellar related, that you need but can't find mentioned here, you can go to this QUOTE FORM and tell us what you need.
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