Is it a big job?

• How to create a basement room
• How much will a basement cost?
• Do I need planning permission?
• Who should do the work?
• Is it a big job?
• How to use your basement space
• Useful contacts

Building a basement conversion is a big job and it can take anywhere from 1 to 12 months to finish.

If you don’t have an existing cellar, the new basement will have to be dug out and a support put in place. You’ll have to pump water out of newly dug out cellars and existing ones if they’re damp.

The new room will usually then have to be waterproofed either by using a membrane or, for very damp spaces, a permanent drainage system whereby water is constantly pumped away. The whole process is called tanking.

You'll also need to install central heating or underfloor heating.

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