Frequently Asked Questions

A basement conversion can usually boost your home's value, but the exact increase depends on factors like local property prices, basement size, and its quality. In high-value areas like Central London, the increase can surpass conversion costs. Even in lower-value areas, it can be cost-effective compared to moving due to expenses like stamp duty and agent fees.

Basements are versatile spaces! In homes, they can become studios, gyms, or even bedrooms. They make great recreational areas, you can even include swimming pools! Basements can also be constructed to provide underground access to basement garages, kitchens areas and access to rear gardens. In businesses, they're great for storage, parking, or shops.

Not always, but it's crucial to balance heating and ventilation to avoid condensation issues. If you need Grade 3 dryness under the Ciria 139 Levels of Dryness document, you can't have any dampness, so you might need humidity control like ventilation, dehumidifiers, or air conditioning. If you are creating a new basement under the garden or a underground bunker you will need separate, additional air control.

By using techniques known as ‘tanking’, effective insulation and anti-condensation methods, we ensure that your basement will not be damp.

‘Tanking a basement’ means applying special coatings or materials to keep water out, so your basement stays dry and usable. It's like giving your basement a protective shield against moisture and dampness.

You’ll require permissions if you plan to dig up land for a basement or modify a light well in a way that changes the building's external structure. You don’t require planning permission to convert an existing basement to a living space, as it is a ‘change of use’.

It depends! Contact us for a quote to best suit your needs, desires and requirements.

Yes! Subterranean living can be a great idea, with loads of positives.

It depends on your planning permission and usage, if the basement is converted for habitation then yes, it does and can be included as Square footage in the living areas of the property.

There are many products on the market today for basement insulation, the UK local building control has a governing body that regulates various aspects of construction. Insulation is one of the controls and is worked out from the heat loss of the structure, when a basement is constructed, insulation is concealed in the wall and floor areas and in the roof or ceiling of the basement.

We recommend a minimum of 2.3 metres or more, this is an ideal floor to ceiling height in a habitable area. The more height you have the more the basement will cost as you will be required to dig out more ground to achieve the additional head room.

Yes, if you require a bathroom, kitchen or shower in your new basement this will require additional drainage. Normally a chamber is installed and the waste is re-directed to the existing system via a pumped chamber. In many cases, once you dig down it is possible that you may hit service water, we recommend a surface water chamber which again is pumped out via a pumped chamber.