Cellar Conversion Soham Cambridgeshire (CB7): A basement conversion can turn that uninviting, dark basement into an airy, dry and warm useable living space while also generating extra room in your Soham home. Having an extra room closer to the more used areas of your house can provide you with greater opportunities for creating a home gym, entertaining friends or creating a "granny annex" for elderly relatives.
According to Savills the estate agents, a converted basement can also add somewhere between 10-15% to the market price of your house. For householders with growing families, who might have previously converted their loft for additional bedrooms, a cellar conversion provides them with a means by which to add that much needed extra space which is all important for comfortable family life. It's about more than just enhancing your daily life; this investment also positions your property competitively in the Soham real estate market.
Should you be looking into a cellar conversion make certain you have asked yourself these important questions before commencing: 1. How can you stay clear of shoddy builders and find an established Soham company who is able to convert your cellar and provide warranties for all the work that's involved? 2. Are the costs associated with a cellar conversion worth the rewards that you gain from it? 3. Precisely what use do you want to make of the additional space you will be able to create with the basement conversion? 4. What will a conversion mean with regards to the amount of work necessary and the disturbance to your home?
Why Choose a Cellar Conversion in Soham?
If you are just going to renovate a pre-existing basement without the need to raise the ceiling height, then generally speaking you will not need local authority planning permission. You will however have to check with the local authorities if you share a party wall (requires different rules), if you live in a conservation area or if your home is listed.
One of the main reasons given by householders in Soham for converting a pre-existing basement is to utilise the unused space for something practical. This is particularly true where living space is restricted such as in many parts of Soham. A cellar conversion can also be used as a way to earn a bit of extra cash by changing that largely unused space into a self contained apartment and putting it up for rent.
Actually the things you can do with a cellar conversion are only limited by your own imagination.....and your budget of course. You could make it into an instant pub for your buddies by building a bar, or perhaps you'd prefer a games room or modern home cinema. If you happen to be a home worker a cellar conversion can become the perfect home office by giving you a bespoke space where you are less likely to be disturbed.
What is Involved?
As mentioned previously, local authority planning permission might not be needed in many cases, but you definitely will need to have Building Regulations consent. These regulations give you, and any future purchaser of your house, the assurance that your cellar conversion complies with the legislation and recommendations for electrical installations, minimum ceiling heights, ventilation, health and safety, fire escapes, damp proofing and water supply. These necessary regulations and rules should be dealt with as part of the construction process by your Soham basement conversion company.
To ensure your basement conversion stays warm and dry through the course of its life, a waterproof membrane or cementitious tanking will need to be applied even if there are no visible signs of dampness or water ingress. Your Soham cellar conversion specialist will help you to decide which procedure is best for your particular cellar conversion and also make certain it abides by the recommendations set down by the British Standards BS8102 regulations. In the event that the membrane fails at some time in the future then an experienced company should be able to provide you with an insurance protected warranty of their work, giving you the peace of mind you require.
The lights, water supply, electric wiring, ventilation, heating, floor surfaces and insulation will most likely all have to be installed or upgraded. Underfloor heating is increasingly popular in cellar and basement conversions in Soham as it spreads heat evenly and is extremely efficient in this setting. It calls for little upkeep once fitted and is a hidden sort of heating, which is an added bonus in saving space.
A fully qualified electrician must be called in to undertake all electrical rewiring and testing on your basement conversion project. Try to look for sunken (recessed) lighting fixtures to reduce the concern about height issues, and with a variety of different cheap Led lamps avaiable for purchase, your basement can feel airy and bright even where natural light is inadequate.
Insulation and ventilation are vital issues which must be dealt with from the design and planning phase. Insufficient insulation can leave your cellar conversion with cold spots which may increase the potential for damp. Damp and mould can also be brought on by increased humidity levels if the level of ventilation in your conversion is inadequate.
Finding a Cellar Conversion Specialist in Soham
As with all major building projects, it's best to get more than one estimate to give you the opportunity to assess different contractor's prices. Ask to see relevant trade accreditation and membership certificates, if you have any doubts about their expertise or workmanship.
Following an on-site survey you might be given an initial quote which assesses the standard cost of your conversion, and covers things like flooring, waterproofing and access. Follow up discussions with the building firm should look to provide clarification about your specific requirements, i.e. increasing the height of your cellar by the digging out of the existing floor, or the installation of a toilet or kitchen in a separate room.
A definitive quotation from a locally based Soham basement conversion specialist needs to include any necessary party wall agreements, building regulation applications and planning laws required before work can begin. It should also be broken down into independent sections of the overall project so that you are able to get a better perception of the eventual price.
A decent contractor should be able to offer guidance and advice on all of these matters and recommend methods by which to improve natural light to brighten the area by opening up stairways or installing light wells. This is also the right time to consult with a certified electrician regarding the installation of extra wiring for lighting, plug sockets, entertainment and computer networks.
If your access to the basement is restricted it may have to be adapted depending on what use you have in mind for your basement conversion. Your elaborate design may be based on transforming your cellar conversion into a mock pub, snooker room or home gym, but if the access isn't suitable how will the equipment get down there?
Keeping your cellar free from damp and warm is a priority against whatever the Soham weather can throw at it. In order for this to be readily accomplished, you need a reliable cellar conversion company with the appropriate membership and accreditation of a trade body.
Look for Soham building companies who are members of the FMB (Federation of Master Builders) and if you've got any doubts you can ask the FMB to check if they're actually on their list of approved members. You can check up on how well a building company has performed in past times by accessing the TrustMark website and looking at the integrity figures it has attained. TrustMark is a scheme that enjoys full endorsement of the government and was set up by Trading Standards.
It is a fact that a large majority of companies who work on cellar conversions in Soham are trustworthy with highly qualified construction workers. A genuine building company will help you in any way to give you evidence of their reliability, and respond in a fair manner so as to build trust and a beneficial working relationship.
Also, you won't need to stress if you happen to live someplace outside of Soham, since these basement conversion services are available in Freckenham, Wicken, Snailwell, Red Lodge, West Row, Downfields, Stretham, Witchford, Isleham, Exning, Wilburton, Reach and other adjacent places. Locally based Soham cellar conversion specialists will probably have the telephone code 01353 and the postcode CB7. Verifying this can make certain that you're accessing locally based providers of cellar conversion. Soham home and business owners are able to benefit from these and numerous other similar services. By clicking on the "Quote" banner you can get basement conversion price quotes from local providers.
Cellar Planning Permission - Do I Need It?
If you've already got a basement below your home, and are curious about whether or not you will need to have planning permission for a basement conversion in Soham, the likely answer is "probably not". This will usually be considered to be a simple "change of use". If your current cellar space doesn't have enough height to accomplish what you want with it, you will need to dig out the floor, in which case planning permission will most likely be necessary, because you're increasing the total volume of the house. Generally permission is seldom refused, assuming that the exterior of your house is not going to be altered to any serious extent. Any quality cellar conversion specialist in Soham should be able to give you all of the relevant information in regards to this, or if uncertain contact your local authority planning division. For more information head over to the planning portal here.
Small Cellar Conversion Soham
Even small cellars or basements can be converted into functional spaces with the appropriate design, and a competent Soham basement conversion company will be able to create the perfect new room just for you. Perhaps it could be turned into a utility area and a place to keep your washing machine out of sight and free up valuable storage space in your kitchen.
You do not need a lot of space to create a new home office, and purpose built office furniture can be constructed in even the tiniest of cellar conversions in Soham. Your modest basement could easily be converted into a peaceful oasis, where you can forget the pressures of work and listen to relaxing music or enjoy a decent book. With subtle lighting, comfortable seating and some storage you'll have everything you need to chill out and while away a few hours. The usage and design possibilities are varied for even the smallest basement space in Soham. (Tags: Small Basement Conversion Ideas Soham, Small Cellar Conversions Soham, Small Basement Conversion Soham).
Basement and Cellar Conversion Surveys
At some point in time most homeowners in Soham with a cellar or basement will consider converting it into a space that can be lived in. The first step in this process is to ensure that your basement is actually suitable for converting, and so as to do this you must arrange a professional survey of your cellar/basement area.
A below-ground constructions qualified surveyor will take note of the planned usage of your new space whilst carrying out a complete survey survey. This enables them to check just what procedures need to be followed to legally and safely do a conversion on your cellar as per your requirements.
The structure of your basement or cellar will be inspected, and the demands for ventilation, electricity and plumbing will be considered. British Standards requirements and building regulations specifically target cellar conversions, and your certified surveyor will deal with each requirement that is relevant. These regulations include party wall agreements, fire escapes and minimum ceiling heights, and standards of damp proofing and water resistance. If you're planning to go ahead with a cellar conversion and need to get a cellar conversion survey in Soham, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a qualified surveyor to carry out this for you. You local Soham cellar conversion company will no doubt arrange this on your behalf. (Tags: Basement Conversion Surveys Soham, Cellar Conversion Surveys Soham, Cellar Surveys Soham).
Basement Conversion Near Soham
Also find: Wilburton cellar conversion, Red Lodge cellar conversion, Witchford cellar conversion, Snailwell cellar conversion, Downfields cellar conversion, Exning cellar conversion, West Row cellar conversion, Isleham cellar conversion, Wicken cellar conversion, Reach cellar conversion, Freckenham cellar conversion, Stretham cellar conversion and more. Cellar conversion services are widely available in most of these towns and areas. Transforming your cellar into a welcoming and functional living area is well within the capabilities of these seasoned professionals, who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. These experts are adept at making your imagined snug basement lounge, additional bedroom or home office a tangible reality. By simply clicking here, cellar conversion quotes are accessible to local property owners.
Basement Conversion Tasks Soham
The selection of tasks that can be accomplished by your local cellar conversion specialist are wide and varied, and will usually include stuff like basement conversion underpinning, basement conversion estimates Soham, low ceiling basement conversions Soham, domestic cellar conversions, cellar remodeling Soham, condensation control, cellar waterproofing in Soham, basement lighting, bonded sheet membranes in Soham, basement electrics, waterproof membranes, basement waterproofing, basement refurbishment, structural waterproofing Soham, positive input ventilation (PIV), cementitious tanking, cellar conversions, basement soundproofing Soham, commercial basement conversions, timber preservation, cellar conversion ideas in Soham, basement conversion, cellar conversion quotes Soham, small cellar conversions Soham, cellar conversion, sump pumps, basement remodeling Soham, cellar rendering, and others unlisted. With regards to what's available, this is by no means a comprehensive list of what can be provided by somebody doing cellar conversion. Soham providers who are operating in the area will will be happy to update you with the entire range of basement conversion services which are offered. If there's 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.
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