Does your property have a basement that’s suitable for conversion? This can be a huge project, so it’s worth checking whether it’s right for your home.
Whether you want to create an extra bedroom, living area or home office, a basement conversion can make use of otherwise wasted space. Before you start, you need to consider some of the key factors and whether your property passes the test.
Is There Sufficient Access?
What’s the head height in your basement? And is there a way to access the new space to integrate it with your existing living areas? To install a staircase you need a minimum 2m head height. The height of the basement itself must be a minimum of 2.4m.
If your project involves construction work, you’ll need adequate access for builders to deliver materials and take away waste. Solving access issues can make the difference between a successful basement conversion London property buyers will want to invest in and a failed project.
Are the Neighbours On-Side?
You’ll be required to have a party wall agreement from your neighbours if you live in a semi-detached or terraced property. But for the project to run as smoothly as possible, you need the neighbours on board. Be honest about what the conversion entails and the potential disruption.
Fail to convince them and they can challenge any planning permission applications, meaning your project will never get off the ground.
What Property Do You Live In?
When it comes to creating a successful basement conversion London homeowners can benefit from, it pays to have an older property. Many Victorian houses already have basement rooms, making conversion considerably easier and less disruptive.
However, some older properties may require underpinning if their foundations are too shallow, which can really push your budget. And some new properties built on raft foundations composed of concrete slabs are not suitable for basement conversions at all.
What’s the Garden Like?
The geology and topology of your garden can have a big impact on whether a basement conversion is viable. You’ll need to know the soil type in order to make decisions about construction methods and how your basement is waterproofed. If there’s a high water table, then making progress can be costly and sometimes physically impossible.
If your garden has different levels, however, you may be able to exploit them to create easy access to ventilation and direct light.
What About Drainage?
Getting the waterproofing and drainage is absolutely critical to create a successful basement conversion London homeowners can use without worrying about damp. Your foul drainage is likely to be above basement level so will need to be collected in a sump and pumped into the mains drains.
You’ll also need to protect your basement against damp and groundwater with proper waterproofing. If you think your project is realistic, find a reputable basement conversion company that offers waterproofing solutions that suit your property. If your property satisfies all the requirements, then you’re ready to add valuable space to your home.