Basement Renovation 

Extending, adding or renovating a basement or cellar can add some serious extra living space to your home without drastically modifying the outside.

Many people dream of having more space for family time and entertaining, and increasingly homeowners are achieving this by using their cellar as a liveable space underneath their property.

Loft spaces are great as they’re at the top of your home so lend themselves particularly to being extra bedrooms or bathrooms, whereas a basement is located much nearer your central living space so actually offer a much larger variety of uses.

What uses can a Basement have?

Basements are great for creating another lounge or dining area. You could even make it into a big new play room for the kids or an entertainment room complete with comfy sofas and a pool table. It’s also a really handy place for a utility room or an extra downstairs loo, as well as additional storage which frees up room on the floor above. Your basement could even have its very own entrance which would make it a self-contained unit, perfect for a home office or even to take in lodgers.
Don’t forget though, if you decide to convert your basement into a separate dwelling, you will need to gain the specific consent from your local council’s planning department.

Do I need Planning Permission to renovate my basement or cellar?

A straightforward renovation of a basement or cellar into a living space does not require planning permission. However, lowering the floor of a cellar to maximise the ceiling height is considered as extension work so planning permission may then come into play. Visit the government’s planning portal for more information.

Building Regulations and Basements

To make sure your new basement can lawfully be used as living space, it must meet the building code of practice by having adequate levels of insulation. It also must have usable emergency exits and the correct minimum head height. This might mean that steel structural supports are required.

The Party Wall Act

If the renovation of your basement affects a party wall for example if the wall will need to be underpinned, lengthened or rebuilt, or if excavation work is needed close to a Party Wall then your neighbours on the other side must be told before work can start. These are all things we can assist you with.

Ready to get started on your basement conversion? Speak to the expert team at R&B Builders today by calling 07796 557206 or 01865 391313 or drop us an email – [email protected].