Basements
Basements
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Basement Conversions
What is a Basement Conversion and How Does It Work?
A basement conversion is a change of use of an existing below-ground area that does not require planning permission. Reducing the floor level of a cellar or building a new basement, on the other hand, would increase the volume of your home and so be considered an extension, requiring planning permission.
What Are the Advantages of Basement Conversion?
A basement or cellar conversion, unlike loft conversions at the top of the house, where the option for adding more space is frequently limited, is significantly more flexible, allowing homeowners to create a variety of interesting alternatives.
Everyone has their vision for a basement conversion; some want to add an extra room to their home, while others are more ambitious and want to construct a lavish space such as a theatre or gym.
If you’re selling your home, the ability to create such high-quality places can often speed up the selling process and dramatically improve the value of your home. The cost of the conversion concerning the property value will determine whether or not converting a basement is financially feasible. In high-value places it is financially advantageous to extend your property underground, so enhancing the property value.
If a basement conversion is being considered in a lower-priced location, thorough research and analysis are required to verify that the increase in property value will outweigh the expense of the conversion.
Consider whether you want to convert your basement for practical reasons or to boost the value of your property. It may be for both of these reasons.
The majority of real estate brokers agree that a basement conversion will increase the value of a home by 10% to 15%. The cost per square metre of a basement is also influenced by the location in which you reside, as well as aspects such as accessibility and natural light potential.
Additionally, transforming your basement into an extra bedroom is a terrific method to enhance passive income while increasing house value from a rental standpoint.
Permissions for Basement Conversions
The good news is that, unlike outward house additions, most basement conversions do not require planning approval because you are simply altering the interior of your home and not the exterior in any manner. Planning clearance may be necessary if you want to add windows or a new entry to the house.
What Are the Basement Conversion Building Regulations?
Building Regulations apply to any cellar conversion that is intended to be used as a dwelling space. These rules are in place to guarantee that buildings are safe, sanitary, and energy-efficient. Ventilation, adequate fire escape methods, wiring, ceiling height, and, perhaps most importantly, waterproofing are all requirements for a basement extension.
Building Regulations do not apply to the renovation of an existing habitable basement or the repair of a cellar that does not require a change of use.
Agreement on Party Walls for Basement Conversion
A party walls agreement is a legal framework that resolves and prevents disputes over the party walls that separate one property from another. This act was passed in 1996, and before the basement conversion can begin, you must speak with the owner of the adjacent building.
Do Basement Conversions Require the Help of a Professional?
We strongly advise you to use a fully qualified company to complete any basement conversion job. Fully qualified surveyors and technicians can provide the finest solution for your home while also adhering to the most recent BS standards (BS8102).
All of the work done by the pros comes with a long-term guarantee, so you can rest assured that your home is in good hands.
Basement Conversion Cost: Is It Worth It?
Do you want to get the most out of your property? Basement conversions enable property owners to convert their basements into dry, usable living or working areas. This page will explain what is involved and how it can improve the property’s value. If you’re considering a cellar or basement conversion, you’ve come to the right place.
Is it beneficial to convert a basement? The basic answer is yes in the vast majority of circumstances. Properties with damp basements sell for less than those with waterproofed basements in the same type and location. When it comes to selling your home, having more living or storage space is always a bonus, and in most cases, the expense of converting your basement is less than the additional value it adds to your home.
Any water intrusion into a structure has the potential to rot timbers and deteriorate the structure’s internal fabric. Water penetration into a basement area can lead to degradation in the ground floor joists and flooring, as well as a musty odour in the property’s ground floor rooms.
When you’ve decided to add storage or living space to your basement or cellar, you’ll want to hire a competent waterproofing company to do the job. The system must be specified and installed under British Standard BS 8102 ((2009), which covers the protection of below-ground structures from groundwater). Our surveyors are CSSW (Certified Surveyor for Structural Waterproofing) certified and will specify the appropriate system for the site conditions. Our fully trained technicians will install the specified system, and upon completion of the entire system, we will issue our 10-year structural waterproofing guarantee, which is fully transferable to any new owner. A supplementary insurance-backed guarantee can be arranged in addition to Richardson and Starling’s 10-year guarantee for your peace of mind.
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What is damp?
Damp is a common problem, that properties across the UK will suffer from at some stage. If untreated, damp can be extremely damaging to the structure and fabric of your home.
If you are unsure what causes structural dampness, it is the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building. Dampness is caused by either the result of penetration from outside or damp created within the property.
Why does damp occur?
A high proportion of damp problems in buildings is caused by penetrating damp and rising damp. In most cases, dampness is caused by defects or damage to a building like defective roof coverings, render or rainwater gutters and downpipes.
Where can dampness be found?
Dampness can be found anywhere in a building and can affect all types of properties, old and new. It is important that when dampness is suspected you get an accurate diagnosis to determine the type of damp and the cause of the problem.
How can I identify dampness?
At Damp Proofing Specialists, we use a wide range of instruments and techniques in conjunction with our experience to investigate and identify the presence of excessive moisture in buildings. It is important that a professional surveyor assesses your property to determine what is causing the damp.
Is my property damp proof?
It is vital that your property has a damp proofed structure that will protect the building from problems such as penetrating damp, rising damp and below ground damp.
A Damp Proofing system is a moisture control barrier that can be applied to walls, floors and the structure to prevent moisture from passing into the interior living spaces. Damp issues in buildings is extremely common in the UK and damp remedial treatment is one of the most common property care repairs.
What is damp proofing membrane?
The ground below your floor should have a damp-proof membrane to stop damp coming from the ground and a damp-proof membrane can be applied to the internal side of an external wall to stop damp getting to your plaster and decoration. These membranes are also used on wall areas that are below ground level that can be affected by penetrating damp from the ground.
Why remove plaster during damp proofing?
Plaster must be removed during the damp proofing process as rising damp coming from the ground not only brings moisture but also brings hygroscopic salts, nitrates, and chlorides.
Hygroscopic salts attract moisture from the atmosphere. These salts will contaminate the plaster inside the property and even after a remedial DPC has been inserted the salt contaminated plaster can still become damp. It is vital that contaminated plaster is stripped and replaced during the treatment.