Basement /Cellar conversion

[cinque]

I am looking to convert an exsisting cellar into a habitable space for the kids to play in (well......maybe a cinema room with wine cellar for me!).

It is dry and in fairly good condition, just cobwebs and dirt and lots and lots of wine. Space is approx. 55ft x 40ft separated into one large room and two smaller narrower ones.

Have spoke to planning and they advised me that as long as i stay within the footprint of the house, i should only require Building Regs.

Budget will dictate whether or not i excavate and make the space 2-3 times larger, or leave as is, and just convert the current space into a liveable area.

I have done the basic searches regarding the different types of tanking and have an architect pal coming round to offer his opinion.

If anyone has experience of this type of building or could offer me a recommendation in the home counties or N London area, i would be most grateful.

[mhill]

Just be sensible. employ a knowledgeable builder and theres no need to pay the council a wedge for nothing!!

[Busamav]

mhill said:

Just be sensible. employ a knowledgeable builder and theres no need to pay the council a wedge for nothing!!

He is going to HAVE to pay the council for Building Regs fees ,

unless he engages an approved inspector , which for such a project is almost sure to be a lot more .

[B17NNS]

As Busamav said, if you want what is deemed to be a 'habitable space' you need to conform to building regulations. This means the build or conversion will be inspected at various stages to ensure it conforms to current building regulations. BCO's are generally knowledgeable friendly types who want the same thing that you do - a good job done. Their fees are very reasonable too. It might cost a few £k more to go down the proper route but well worth it as if you come to sell, the basement can actually be marketed and sold as part of the house rather than just a cellar.

[cinque]

Agreed

Not a problem with building inspectors in my area. Keen to use them.

From previous experience they are a decent bunch and gave me good ideas and solutions when i used them last.

Tanking technology seems to be updating and improving all the time, hence my willingness to use a specialist company to undertake this work.

Any recommendations of firms please let me know.

[silverthorn2151]

mhill said:

Just be sensible. employ a knowledgeable builder and theres no need to pay the council a wedge for nothing!!

This is rubbish advice. If you are just going to sweep the cobwebs away and paint it, then fine, away you go. The building regulations are there for a reason and your local building control officer will be happy to help. They are all much more switched on and user friendly now.

We tend to use approved inspectors but that's for all sorts of reasons and on commercial property.

If you are going to do something, do it right. It's cheaper in the long run.

[B17NNS]

cinque said:

From previous experience they are a decent bunch and gave me good ideas and solutions when i used them last.

I'm struggling to think of one occasion where the involvement of a BCO has not resulted in a more streamlined aproach to an issue or a cost saving for me.

In Staffs the guys generally see the regs as a very good guide but are open to alternative suggestions and are accomodating to the real world implementation of them.

[herbialfa]

BCO's have came a long way.

I'm now in partnership with my local Building Control Office meaning I have chosen 1 officer to deal with all my applications throughout England/ Wales thus streamlining the approval turnaround.

All at no extra cost!

Do the job proper and get Full Approval and a completion certificate!

As said before when you come to sell........