Print this pageBASEMENT CONVERSION
If you've got an unused cellar or basement, you could transform your home by turning it into an additional habitable space. And increase the value of the property into the bargain. Traditionally cellars and basements were often left as rather damp, dingy spaces and not completed to the same level of finish as the rest of the house.
But to convert them into warm dry habitable accommodation, rooms below ground level need to be given special treatment to keep out moisture from the surrounding ground.
Especially so in low lying areas of the country or where water tables are higher than normal.
Peter Cox can offer a full project management package from design to completion including:
- Designs and plans
- Local Authority approvals (if needed)
- Waterproofing system to walls and floor (guaranteed for 10 years*)
- Flooring - cement screed or chipboard
- Plastering or dry lining to the walls and ceiling
- Partition walls if required
- Electrics
- Plumbing
All except finished flooring (wood floors, vinyl or carpeting), soft furnishings, light fittings and decorations
* This guarantee only applies to waterproofing systems installed in accordance with the current British Standard BS 8102. We recommend nothing less for residential basement conversions.
Peter Cox use two alternative methods for waterproofing the walls and floor:
- A multi coat sand and cement render with special waterproof additives designed to withstand the water pressure from outside.
- A dry lining cavity drainage membrane system designed to channel any moisture into a sump and pump system and then safely away out of the building. With this system the guarantee is conditional upon the pump being serviced annually.
Each system has its advantages and our surveyor will advise which is best suited to your property.
Once the waterproof structure has been created, the room is either plastered or dry lined, the floor structure laid, partitions added where required and electrical and plumbing connections made.
All this is co-ordinated under the one contract.
I'm sure that businesses come and go in your trade but your Company has been in existence for a long time. My recent experience demonstrates why this is the case.
Our 30 year guarantee had almost expired when we recently discovered woodworm infestation in the previously treated roofing joists. I understood why you wanted to charge the refundable fee for the survey and took the risk in requesting it. However, I anticipated that you would attempt to "wriggle" out of the guarantee and was ready for an argument with your surveyor. My cynicism was totally unfounded. Your surveyor efficiently identified the problem and confirmed that the area would be re-treated - I didn't have to say anything. Your operative subsequently did the treatment work efficiently and with a high standard of housekeeping. In both cases, they were friendly and courteous.
