Will The party wall act apply to my cellar conversion?

5 days ago 17 comments

If you are to insert beams into the party wall or alter the foundations by introducing underpinning then the “Party Wall Act” will certainly apply. You therefore need to follow the act and make sure that you serve the notice two months prior to commencement of the works. We would always recommend that you discuss your proposed works with any of your affected neighbours prior to formally serving the notice to comply with the act. This keeps things on more informal basis and quite often concerns can be expressed and resolved in a far friendlier atmosphere where agreement is more likely to be reached amicably.

• 

Will I need planning permission for a cellar conversion

3 days ago 9 comments

A cellar conversion is a change of use from a storage area to a habitable living space and does not usually require planning permission. If you had to carry out major excavations to the existing cellar floor you may be deemed to be increasing the size of your property (not unlike an extension). Most extensions and alterations can however be undertaken under Permitted Development – rights that were introduced on the 1st October 2008 (use the link provided on this website to view what is now allowable under Permitted Development).

We would always recommend that you discuss any alternations to your property with your local planning office to check whether or not planning permission is required. We would also recommend that you check your deeds to ensure that there are no covenants placing restrictions on your property

Will I need building regulations for my cellar conversion

2 hours ago 1 comments

Yes. You will need building regulations when changing from a storage area to a habitable space. The building regulations are statutory minimum construction guidelines that ensure buildings are safe, hygienic and energy efficient. If you were not changing the use of the cellar then your work would be excluded from requiring building regulations.

• 

Trial holes and drain investigation

2 hours ago 1 comments

When considering a cellar conversion you need to have the minimum two meters head room from the finished ceiling from the finished floor. Your cellar floor will need to be insulated and waterproofed, so we would recommend the introduction of trial holes to ascertain the size and depth of the existing foundation bearing strata. You will then be in a position to evaluate how far you will need to excavate (if any) and if any underpinning will be required to obtain the minimum ceiling height.

It is also important to determine if any drains need to be moved or relocated as this can be a costly exercise.

• 

My cellar is always dry so do I need to protect my cellar by waterproofing?

2 hours ago 1 comments

Do not be fooled by nature! Just because your cellar always appears dry and has been dry over the years, this doesn’t mean that it will always remain dry. A drain could be diverted or building works in the area could affect the drainage or water table levels. You should always provide waterproofing protection.

• 

Is a cellar conversion right for you?

2 hours ago 1 comments

If you are one of the lucky few who live in an older style, Victorian type property you could be sitting on the answer to your own dilemma.
Basement cellars are like gold dust and can be a very economical way of gaining valuable extra living space, along with increasing the value, without altering the exterior of your property. People can become used to thinking of a cellar as a damp and dirty environment usually used for storage and clutter. It is however far easier than you may have first thought to waterproof and convert such areas into bright, clean and warm habitable spaces within your home. Cellar conversions can also be used for additional bedrooms but more often than not they are used for areas such as:

Studies, gym’s, kitchens with dining areas, personal wine bars for entertaining friends, personal cinema rooms, home entertainment rooms, bathrooms with w.c., personal office space and on one recent application a recording studio!
The cellar can be an ideal place to relocate the central heating boiler from upstairs releasing valuable habitable above ground space. Loft conversions are usually used as additional bedrooms due to the very nature of their position in your property.

How long does a cellar conversion usually take?

2 hours ago 1 comments

A cellar conversion carried out by specialists can be undertaken from start to completion in between 4 – 6 weeks, depending on the actual size of the contract. The work is carried out from under the existing property so inconvenience caused to the household is usually kept to a minimum.

Different types of waterproofing

2 hours ago 1 comments

Cavity drain membranes provide an alternative to conventional cementations tanking systems which work by holding water back. Cavity drain membranes work on a principle of allowing water to penetrate the structure, but controlling it in the air gap and diverting it to a suitable drainage point. This system does not allow pressure to be built up against the internal construction and the gap behind the membrane allows the structure to breathe and to some extent dry out. This method of waterproofing allows decoration and floor finishes to be completed almost immediately without long drying out periods.