Cellar Conversion Waltham Abbey Essex (EN9): An excellent way to generate useable living space in your property in Waltham Abbey without having to resort to building an extension or converting a loft, is to change that dark, inhospitable space beneath your home into an airy, bright room with a cellar (or basement) conversion. Having extra living space closer to the more frequently used areas of the house can give you more opportunity for creating a home gym, entertaining friends or creating a "granny annex" for elderly relatives.
A cellar or basement conversion is also a way to add to the value of your property; Savills state that it is generally approximately 10-15% more than the market value of comparable properties in the Waltham Abbey area. For folks with growing families, who could have already previously converted loft space for additional bedrooms, a cellar conversion offer them a means by which to add that much needed extra space which is crucial for comfortable family life.
Before starting any basement conversion project, you ought to ask yourself these important questions: 1. Is the expense involved in a cellar conversion really worth the benefits that you gain from it? 2. Precisely what do you hope to achieve with the additional space created with the conversion? 3. What degree of work is necessary to convert your basement or cellar? 4. How do you pick out a builder you can count on to do a quality basement conversion in Waltham Abbey?
Why Pick a Cellar Conversion in Waltham Abbey?
In contrast to constructing loft conversions and extensions, a cellar conversion does not normally require local authority planning permission if you are simply turning it into a useable living space, however if it is necessary to do any construction works such as lowering the floor you must ask the local authorities precisely what is required. You will however have to check with the local authorities if you live in a conservation area, if your house is listed or if you share a party wall (requires different rules).
The capacity to free up extra, valuable living space in their home is the top reason that many homeowners in Waltham Abbey intend to have a cellar conversion. If like many other folks in Waltham Abbey you find space is limited, this can be a big plus. If you do not actually need the additional living area for you own benefit, a cellar conversion can easily be turned into a self contained apartment to earn some welcome extra cash.
The final style of a cellar conversion and the uses it can be put to are dependent on what your own imagination comes up with, and what your spending budget will allow. Perhaps you've always dreamt of a home cinema or games room, or you could install a bar and "hey presto", an instant pub for you and your mates. With recent developments and the opportunities for working at home, converting your cellar into a comfortable and isolated office space, where you're much less likely to be interrupted, might be just the thing to get you out of that stressful daily commute.
What is Involved?
Although planning permission might not have to be obtained there are specific Building Regulation clearances you will require. This will make sure that your new living area follows all the Health & Safety legislation and recommendations for ventilation, electrical installations, water supply, fire escapes, damp proofing and minimum ceiling heights. Luckily your Waltham Abbey cellar conversion specialists will be glad to deal with all of these rules and regulations as an integral part of the build process.
It doesn't matter if your cellar doesn't feel damp nor has any sign of mould; you will still need to have a suitable waterproof membrane or cementitious tanking installed to offer a dry, watertight area which is suitable for conversion. Any damp proofing technique that you decide to use must abide by the BS8102 guidelines which your Waltham Abbey builder must follow. Should the membrane fail at some point down the road then a credible basement conversion company should be willing to provide you with an insurance supported guarantee of their work, giving you the necessary peace of mind.
The installation or upgrading of ventilation, insulation, flooring, water sources, heating, lights and electrical installations will all need to be talked over with your preferred conversion company. Underfloor heating is increasingly popular in cellar and basement conversions in Waltham Abbey because it spreads heat evenly and is very efficient. It needs little maintenance once fitted and is a concealed form of heating, which is an added bonus in saving space.
A fully qualified electrician must be used to complete all electrical re-wiring and testing on your cellar conversion project. Try to make use of recessed (sunken) lighting to reduce concerns about height problems, and with a wide variety of low cost Led lamps available to buy, your cellar can feel bright and airy even where natural light is lacking.
There are rules and regulations regarding adequate insulation and ventilation to basement conversions and your contractor will want to discuss the various options. Inappropriate insulation leaves your conversion with cold spots which may increase the potential for dampness. Likewise inadequate ventilation can cause problems, not only from stale air, but also by allowing increased humidity which also is a leading concern where dampness is involved.
Finding a Basement Conversion Specialist in Waltham Abbey
Before choosing your contractor in Waltham Abbey, obtain as many estimates as you can to enable you to compare the different prices and services available to you. Ask if you can see appropriate trade membership and accreditation certificates, if you are at all in doubt about their working standards.
An initial price quote may be provided at the end of an on-site survey for a basic cellar conversion with flooring, access and damp proofing considerations being evaluated. Through discussion with your builder you'll be able to incorporate your personal needs, for instance you might need an area to be divided, have a kitchen or bathroom installed or increase the ceiling height by digging out the current floor.
You will sign off on a final price with a definitive quote for all work to be completed which includes all the appropriate paperwork applicable to the Waltham Abbey area for the planning laws, building regulation applications and party wall agreements. It is also better if it is broken down into individual sections of the overall project so you can get a better idea of the eventual price.
With such a lot of stuff to think about, any self-respecting cellar conversion company will be able to provide answers to any queries you may have as well as offer ways in which to introduce more natural light by the installation of light wells or opening up stairways. This is also the right time to check with a fully qualified electrician about the installation of additional electrical wiring for electrical sockets, lighting, computing and entertainment.
Access to your cellar is extremely important as subject to how you wish to use your newly created living area could mean the entrances need to be adapted. There's no point in planning for a fully equipped games room, gymnasium or bar if you can hardly get down a narrow stairway while carrying a mug of coffee.
It's crystal clear that regardless of what you want to convert your cellar into, you will want it to stay warm and dry in winter and summer. For this to occur you need your conversion specialist to be certified and endorsed by accreditation and membership to professional building associations.
A Federation of Master Builders (FMB) membership and accreditation by your Waltham Abbey conversion specialist shows their professionalism and reliability in the building trade. Yet another good way to check up on a contractor's credibility is to see if it's listed on the Trustmark website. This is a Trading Standards supervised scheme and it is endorsed by the government.
The majority of basement conversion companies in the Waltham Abbey area are legitimate and genuine businesses with a trained and qualified workforce. A genuine conversion company will understand the doubts of the public, due to a small minority of dishonest traders, and will try everything they can to verify their trustworthiness in a friendly and responsible way.
Cellar Tanking
Before tanking your cellar in Waltham Abbey, you should make sure that all joints, cracks and loose materials are removed. Then, apply a layer of breathable rendering. After applying a second coat, check the tanking for signs of seeping and you should add a salt inhibitor if necessary. These steps are essential to tank your basement and prevent damp patches in the future.
Tanking your cellar in Waltham Abbey can be pretty expensive. The cost will be dependent on the dimensions of your cellar, the kind of substrate, and the extent of damp. A reliable damp proofing expert in Waltham Abbey will visit your home and provide a customised quote. If you're uncertain about whether tanking is right for your basement, ask a damp expert to assess its suitability.
Tanking is a process where waterproof cement is applied to basement ceilings, floors and walls. It prevents water from seeping into these surfaces and makes them watertight permanently. Since basement walls are usually below ground level, water from the surrounding ground can permeate the walls and carry salts to the basement. Therefore, the tanking slurry is created specifically to eliminate these problems and create a waterproof barrier.
Home Cinema Conversions
The notion of transforming a cellar conversion into a home cinema is an idea which has been growing in popularity in recent years. This is naturally a great choice for people who love watching movies or box sets. With a general lack of daylight and an inclination to be dark, a basement or cellar is an awesome place for a movie theatre. Even more important, this sort of addition to your home delivers extra social space where your whole family can gather together and hang out in a relaxed atmosphere.
Planning Permission for Cellar Conversions
If you've already got a basement below your home, and are wondering whether or not you'll need to have planning permission from your local authority for a basement conversion in Waltham Abbey, the answer is "probably not". The reason is that this will normally be considered as a simple "change of use". If you have to increase the total volume of your house by digging up the cellar floor to lift the height of the ceiling, you may then need planning permission, as it's going to be viewed as similar to an extension. If you're not transforming your home's external appearance to any serious degree, this won't be a huge concern and permission will almost always be approved. If you are at all doubtful you'll need to speak to your local planning department or get your Waltham Abbey basement conversion specialist to get the information on your behalf. A brief visit to the planning portal will provide most of the information and details you'll need - click here.
Small Cellar Conversion
Even an existing small cellar can be converted into a functional space with the right design, and a reputable Waltham Abbey cellar conversion company should be able to create the perfect new room just for you. Perhaps it could become a utility room and somewhere to keep your washing machine and tumble dryer hidden away and free up valuable storage space in your kitchen.
Maybe you could do with a place to work from home; even a small room can be used effectively as an office with tailor-made furniture made and installed by a specialist company. Why not turn your modest cellar space into a music or reading room, making it somewhere to escape from the stress of daily life. All that you need is lighting, a comfy chair or sofa, and somewhere to store your music or books. You're limited only by the capacity of imagination for what you can do with a small basement conversion in Waltham Abbey. (Tags: Small Cellar Conversion Waltham Abbey, Small Basement Conversions Waltham Abbey, Small Basement Conversion Ideas Waltham Abbey).
The Installation of a Wine Cellar
A number of basement conversion specialists in the Waltham Abbey area provide wine cellar installation services. A custom wine cellar planning, design and installation that caters to the property owner's specific requirements and preferences can be provided by these specialists. Wine cellars not only provide storage for wine bottles but also make certain that the wine is preserved and ages properly.
A professional wine cellar installation can include features such as temperature and humidity control, proper ventilation and insulation to make sure that the wine is stored in the best possible conditions. Professional wine cellar installation also involves visual considerations, with specialists offering advice on decoration, lighting and shelving to create an inviting and practical wine storage area.
Wine cellar specialists also offer support and maintenance services to make sure that the wine cellar remains in optimal condition and that the wine collection is correctly stored and preserved.
Basement Waterproofing Waltham Abbey
Waterproofing is one of the most critical things to consider when you are planning to carry out a basement conversion. Investing a small fortune on converting your cellar and then discovering that it's still mouldy and damp is not a scenario that you want to endure in a hurry. This is precisely why you need to find a trusted cellar conversion firm in Waltham Abbey to undertake the project. There are essentially two main ways by which an existing underground cellar can be waterproofed. The ingress of water into the basement can either be rerouted into a drainage channel using waterproof membranes, from where it is noiselessly pumped from the building, or it can be impeded by cementitious tanking, applied as a slurry type mixture. basement waterproofing services are also available in Sewardstonebury, Sewardstone, Upshire, Nazeing, High Beach, Holdbrook North, Holdbrook South, Enfield Lock, Wormley, Gilwell Hill, and and of course in Waltham Abbey.
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Building regulations compliance - article 213.
Basement Conversion Near Waltham Abbey
Also find: Upshire cellar conversion, Holdbrook South cellar conversion, High Beach cellar conversion, Nazeing cellar conversion, Sewardstonebury cellar conversion, Wormley cellar conversion, Gilwell Hill cellar conversion, Sewardstone cellar conversion, Holdbrook North cellar conversion, Enfield Lock cellar conversions and more. All of these places are serviced by companies doing cellar conversion. Waltham Abbey home and property owners can get cellar conversion quotes by clicking here.
Basement Conversion Tasks Waltham Abbey
There is a range of work that can be carried out by your local Waltham Abbey basement conversion specialist including domestic basement conversions, basement conversion estimates, cementitious tanking in Waltham Abbey, damp proofing, small basement conversions in Waltham Abbey, basement tanking, basement plumbing, positive input ventilation Waltham Abbey, small cellar conversion, basement flooding solutions, basement conversion, waterproof membranes, condensation control in Waltham Abbey, budget cellar conversion Waltham Abbey, cellar conversion quotes, cellar refurbishment, low ceiling basement conversions Waltham Abbey, budget basement conversion Waltham Abbey, woodworm treaments, cellar rendering, cellar floor restoration Waltham Abbey, basement waterproofing, cellar conversion, wine cellar installation, cellar flooring, basement conversions, cellar soundproofing, basement conversion design, and lots more. This is on no account an all-embracing list of what's offered by somebody doing cellar conversion. Waltham Abbey professionals will inform you about their whole range of basement conversion services. You can CLICK HERE and complete our quote form, if there are some other Waltham Abbey cellar conversion requirements that you require but don't see here.
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