With land at a premium and in high density areas where it’s difficult to extend outwards a basement conversion can offer the best solution for creating extra room once you ’ve explored the possibilities of maximising space elsewhere within the property.
Basement conversions can be expensive so it’s wise to only consider this option if you plan to stay living in the property for some time – you’ll need to assess your home’s suitability for this type of project and ideally your house will already have an existing cellar or basement.
"Basement conversions are sometimes the only option for urban dwellings where land is at a premium..."
Extend Downwards
If you’re planning to create a new subterranean area or you’re considering lowering an existing floor to create more headroom you’ll undoubtedly need to underpin the foundations. Extending the foundations in this way can be expensive but it is vital to ensure stability for the entire structure.
Converting a basement is an incredibly specialised job, hiring a professional company, such as Extra Room, is essential and it is advisable that this working relationship begins from the outset of the project. As with any build you’ll need to use an architectural designer to create plans and oversee the build and we’re perfectly placed to help here thanks to our comprehensive design and build service.
“One problem that is sometimes difficult to overcome is the limited natural light that is available in a basement – if possible consider cutting a slope into your garden to allow natural light into the converted basement...”
Basement Conversions in London
Upward expansion is strictly regulated by planning laws within the capital and in the past five years Kensington and Chelsea alone has seen over 800 planning applications for basements with only 10 percent rejected and most applicants resubmitting almost immediately.
“Once you’ve explored the possibilities of maximising space elsewhere within the property your only option may be to go down and add a basement level...”
The key to obtaining planning permission is to proportion your planned basement conversion to the size of the property. The maximum accepted size is around 25 percent of the above-ground level floor space, natural light and headroom in the new basement area are vital – the use of sun pipes and lightwells to bounce light down to the basement will make it usable after all there is little point converting if your new basement feels as dark and dingy as the original cellar.
For any help you might need to realise your basement conversion dreams contact Extra Room – we’ll be happy to give you the low down...
