Whilst a loft conversion is an easy way to create an additional room and add value a basement conversion is a great solution to a lack of everyday living space. Instead of spending a disproportionate amount of money to move home why not create a basement?

A basement conversion can substantially increase the floor space, not to mention the value, of your property and with the addition of a few specific design features a basement will give your home the “wow factor”.

Whether you want to convert an existing cellar or excavate a completely new basement we have the knowledge and expertise to transform a traditionally ignored area of your home into a larger integral part of your everyday living space. You can create a bigger kitchen, home office, media room , home theatre, games room, gym/spa complex, utility room or a children’s play room. With the value of London floor space at a premium the addition of a useable basement area provides a useable and flexible addition to your home.

How is it built?

We understand that the thought of excavations under your home can be daunting. What follows is a summary of how we construct our basements:

The first step is to construct a protective hoarding around the front of your property to protect the area and keep the front of your home clean and tidy. We then excavate a section of the earth next to one of the exterior walls of the property. A small area of the brickwork below the ground level is then removed from the wall. A rolled steel joist (RSJ) is then fitted to carry the load of the wall above the access hole. This area can be used for the removal of soil and debris from the basement during its construction.

To maintain the structural integrity of your property and allow works to take place, we use a tried and tested method of underpinning to reinforce the foundations of the house. This involves the excavation of alternate areas of ground throughout the basement; reinforced concrete is then shuttered and poured under the existing foundations. Once this has set, the process is then repeated on the adjacent section, this is supervised by the appointed structural engineer and the building control officer will check the work as it proceeds. Once the process is completed the floor level can be lowered to the new level of the foundations, which allows for a comfortable head height in your new living space (normally a minimum of 2.4m).

We use a sealed waterproofing membrane system. The membrane allows dampness behind the membrane to move in all directions unhindered leaving a dry damp-free interior to your basement. Because the membrane systems are only fitted by certified, supplier-approved teams, they come with an extensive manufacturers guarantee.

Most of our basement have a twin sump and pump system. Any water ingress that develops behind the studded membrane will be channelled into the sump chamber, which holds a self contained pump that delivers the water to ground level to be disposed of through the main drainage system. This system also utilises a back-up pump which automatically takes over should a failure occur to the primary pump, with both pumps retaining battery back-up in case of a power cut.

Call us for a free quotation on your proposed basement project on 0203 376 9006