There are many ways of extending the living space in your house. Most people, when faced with the need to extend, will go up into the loft, or out into the garden. But what if you have already exhausted those options or you don’t want to lose valuable garden space? The answer that many householders are now turning to is to engage a firm of basement builders to extend their property downwards.
Convert or build
If you have an older property that already benefits from a basement or cellar, you may be able to turn it into extra living space relatively easily. Even if you aren’t starting from this position, it’s now possible to add a new basement to properties that don’t have one.
If you have an existing basement you probably don’t need planning permission in order to turn it into a habitable space. If your home is listed or is in a conservation area, however, permission is still likely to be needed.
Even if you don’t need planning permission, you still need to be aware of the rules and regulations that have to be met in order to create a habitable basement. The building regulations are there to ensure that any basement is safe and energy efficient. If your property is not detached you will also need to be aware of the Party Wall Act which ensures neighbouring properties aren’t damaged. A good firm of basement builders should be able to advise you on all of these things.
What can you use it for?
The are many possible uses for a basement. Often people choose to devote it to leisure purposes like a gym or a home cinema. It can also make a great den for teenagers or a snug to relax in away from the hurly-burly of the household.
Basements are also popular with people who need an office or space to work from home. It can also be a good room for hobbies like crafting or building a model railway. If properly planned the lack of natural light needn’t be a problem. Modern lighting is very efficient or you can choose innovative solutions like light pipes to bring in daylight.
Alternatively, in larger properties, you can choose to turn the basement into a self-contained unit with its own entrance. This is great if you need space for an elderly relative or you could create a basement flat to rent out to create extra income.
Any basement extension is likely to add value to your property when you come to sell it on too. A local estate agent should be able to tell you how much difference having a habitable basement will make to the selling price. This can help you to decide whether carrying out a conversion is going to be a cost-effective option.