Has anyone here had any experience with cellar conversions? - I am hoping to convert the cellar of my victorian terrace into a kids bedroom/ playroom.

Would be grateful for any tips on dealing with Sheffield City Council building control, or to know if there are any builders anyone would recommend.

I've had 2 companies out and they've told me contradictory things about what's possible, so I'm a bit confused!

Also, has anyone had it done and then sold their house - does it add to the price?

i remember one of my dads mates having a smiilar thing done and the only thing i can remember is that you'll need to have a fire escape put in if its a bedroom, even if its just a window to climb out of.......he was doing his attic so maybe you'll need to entrances/exits to different rooms

i looked into it and the price was extortionate, 10k ish. Decided it wasn't worth it.

There used to be a builder in Gloucester, name of West, who specialised in cellar conversions. I'm not sure where he is now but his wife Rosemary may be able to help.

I have actually just moved into a 1 Bed Flat which has been converted out of a cellar. The company who converted it say it was one of the best they have ever done (pictures have been taken for their advertising). I can find out from the landlord who they are and i would highly reccommend them. (i saw the project from start to finish).



Please PM me with your details and if you want to take a look at this companies work- i'd be happy to show you around and give you all the details.

diana

Originally posted by fionac
Has anyone here had any experience with cellar conversions? - I am hoping to convert the cellar of my victorian terrace into a kids bedroom/ playroom.

Would be grateful for any tips on dealing with Sheffield City Council building control, or to know if there are any builders anyone would recommend.

I've had 2 companies out and they've told me contradictory things about what's possible, so I'm a bit confused!

Also, has anyone had it done and then sold their house - does it add to the price?

I have just done this. If you want a "man that can" PM me and I will pass on his details. You may have a wait though as he is doing more work for me at the moment.

do you mind me asking how much it's cost Bonny?

Well , I'm not totally sure as the labour was £1800 then there was the materials which I can't remember as I just kept handing cash over. Not too much though

I got a pretty good deal as the house next door to us is being renovated and we are on good terms with the company doing it as we let them use our garden and electricity, water etc.

We are now having a full basement conversion and conservatory so will let you know the costings of that.

I have to say though that the work is a very high standard so I reckon we have done quite well price wise.

Good idea and use of space

Originally posted by max
There used to be a builder in Gloucester, name of West, who specialised in cellar conversions. I'm not sure where he is now but his wife Rosemary may be able to help.

You should see his cavity wall insulation...

Whitecliffs are the best.

Whats their number please?

Try 2557522..

They are not the cheapest but have a good reputation

Hello,

We're in a similar position and are looking to 'upgrade' our cellar to something a bit usable etc. This thread was about a year ago, has anybody else out there had good (or bad) experiences with Sheffield companies in this field? Anything pm'd to me would be great.

I've noted Whitecliffes number down, think I saw their add somewhere.

Thanks,

Dave.

Titan

Is the work finished and what was the results and cost

Thanks

There used to be a builder in Gloucester, name of West, who specialised in cellar conversions. I'm not sure where he is now but his wife Rosemary may be able to help.

Bad taste

Mods??

I have been recommended the follwoing company
CellarWorx Ltd (Cellar conversion specialists) Sheffield 2551255

i have just got planning permission for a master suite in my cellar space - ground floor on the back of the house - blackthornes builders did the plans and will be undertaking the work 07866 491964 (andy)

what planning permission is required? I thought that PP was only needed if the exterior aspect was going to be changed due to any work.

Glossop firm called trace basements are good

Most cellars just need building regs I think

sorry, planning was for 3m extension to cellar and two floors above, then conversion of cellar

So do you definately need planning permission then? bugger. Is it a lot of faff? (and does it go out of date? - if they grant permission now and the work doesnt happen for a year or so does that matter?)

If you google for 'Sheffield cellar conversion' you get a company called Cellar seal, who are sheffield based and do cellar conversions (funnilly enough). Has anyone used them and are they any good?

Has anyone here had any experience with cellar conversions? - I am hoping to convert the cellar of my victorian terrace into a kids bedroom/ playroom.

Would be grateful for any tips on dealing with Sheffield City Council building control, or to know if there are any builders anyone would recommend.

I've had 2 companies out and they've told me contradictory things about what's possible, so I'm a bit confused!

Also, has anyone had it done and then sold their house - does it add to the price?

Hi fionac
I had about 18 months ago a double garage partially underground (under the house) converted into an office.

I had it done properly with a drained membrane system (oldroyd) so it cost a bob or two but it was well worth it.

Whatever you do don't go for a tanking slurry as it WILL fail at some point.

We used a sheffield company called Basement Dreams (basementdreams.co.uk) but there are also others in the area. We had no problems with them but as with all building work make sure you specify exactly what you want and think and plan beforehand for things like plumbing, lights, sockets etc.

I have no experience of Sheffield Building Control as ours was with Doncaster. I have to say I had no problems at all with them. If you take on a reputable builder then you shouldn't need to concern yourself with building control - the building company should do that for you as they know the regs.

From what I know, the main building control items for a basement are:
1. Fire escape
2. Damp protection
3. Ventilation
4. Insulation
5. Headroom

Like someone else said on the forum, fire escape is usually just a window big enough to climb out of. Damp protection is obvious - they want to make sure that the room will not be unhealthy or uninhabitable so proper damp protection is a must. Ventilation goes with damp protection - you will have to have something like an automatic humidity fan to expel any excessive moist air. Insulation is obvious again but they will want to see or specify the level of insulation to the floor, walls and ceiling (high density foam such as kingspan for instance) and you may also need fireproof plasterboards for the ceiling etc to slow down the progress of any fire in the basement from getting into the main part of the house. Headroom is again obvious - you need to be able to stand up in it!

As you can see above, with insulation to floor and ceiling plus whatever base has to be put down first, headroom could be an issue if you don't already hav e 2m+. The solution then is to dig down a bit, and if needed underpin the foundations, but that then gets costly.

When we did ours we put in underfloor heating linked to our existing boiler and rad system. I wasn't sure it would work well but the system we got was designed for just that scenario and works wonderfully. The room is always just the right temperature and is even thoughout with no cold spots, and kids can sit on the (wooden) floor and be nice and comfy.

If you deal with Building Control my main tip is to start off humble. They are the experts and let them believe it. Accept what they say (within reason) and they should be on your side and very helpful. If you go in as a know it all, all guns blazing and won't accept their input then you'll be onto a rough ride. Imagine it's your driving examiner and it's your first test!

Most basement conversions don't need planning (as they are inside and almost invisible) but they definitely will need building control.

One tip - if you do your basement without building control, when you try to sell it will show up and you will probably not be able to sell your property so your money will have gone down the drain. Not worth it for the sake of a couple of hundred quid.

If you want any more advice or info, send me a PM - I'm happy to answer your questions.

Cheers

Dear Fionac,
if you haven't contacted anybody else yet maybe you should email sam from cellarworx ltd - address is info@cellarworx.com


ta

So do you definately need planning permission then? bugger. Is it a lot of faff? (and does it go out of date? - if they grant permission now and the work doesnt happen for a year or so does that matter?)

If you google for 'Sheffield cellar conversion' you get a company called Cellar seal, who are sheffield based and do cellar conversions (funnilly enough). Has anyone used them and are they any good?

I thought that had been explained. No, you only need planning permission for changes that will affect the exterior view of the property.

You should see his cavity wall insulation...

was going to make some comment about living on cromwell street but thought it would be tasteless.

We had our cellar 'tanked' in 2001 to cure the damp problems in it. The work was done by Premiere Damp Proofing UK (0800 542 3982), and has been well worth it.

It was a system called Newton Lath, which essentially lined the walls and floor in a kind of hard bubble-wrap. The idea is that any moisture in the walls can still seep out, but can't get into the room through the plastic membrane, instead trickling down the inside of it, and under the floor to a sump, where it can gather and be pumped out of the cellar to a drain. That way, there is not build-up of hydrostatic pressure, which is what causes some other types of seal to crack.

We're only using the cellar for storage, so just left the walls lined with the plastic, and had a chipboard floor put in. But the system itself is designed to have battens attached to it for plasterboard.

The problem is often the headroom. Our cellar would not have made a properly habitable room without removing the old floor slabs and digging down to create enough height.

Can anyone tell me whether all the regulations such as ceiling height etc apply if the cellar is converted to a usable room (e.g. an office or playroom) but not specifically a bedroom?

hiya I am kasim - A- Z Building Facility - small company that offers reasonsable prices - we have evidence of work carried out -
we cover - tiling, bathroom fitting, kitchen, plastering, and joiner/plummbing work
- if you would like to contact me on 07828813015 or 07882317021 or email kschaud0@hotmail.com
_ Our quality of work speaks for itself -ring for free QUOTE

i looked into it and the price was extortiante, 10k ish. Decided it wasn't worth it.

the reason why we bought the house we did was because the double cellar had been completely finished. We got the receipt with all the paperwork with the house and it cost the woman who did it well over £10K but its worth it imo. our small terrace is now usable from the cellar to the attic room and giving us two extra rooms (an office & games room)

I know this an old thread but I'm looking at converting a basement room. Some people on the thread are recommending cellerworx but it looks as if they have been a dormant company with last accounts filed 2006 (not sure how reputable the source is - see below)

source - http://bizzy.info/uk/companies/cellar_worx_limited/co_no/05263178/

Try Bo, the finish is superb! His number is: 07906168660.

I know this an old thread but I'm looking at converting a basement room. Some people on the thread are recommending cellerworx but it looks as if they have been a dormant company with last accounts filed 2006 (not sure how reputable the source is - see below)



Check companies house website
They were dissolved 31/03/2009

Basement Dreams in Sheffield are still going.
You can get the guys number from his website.
Search for Basement Dreams on google

We do this type of work.

Sent you a pm.

Rob
Springvale Building
07950 352 719

We carry out this type of work visit our website
< www.stoneoaksdevelopments.co.uk > or visit us on GOGLE < stoneoaks developments> for more information on us . We cover all aspects of property refurbishment, all by our own in house team. FREE QUOTATIONS & NO HASSLE
or please give me a call on 07866972102, THANKS IAN

Basement Dreams in Sheffield are still going.
You can get the guys number from his website.
Search for Basement Dreams on google

I can vouch for Basement Dreams. They were able to provide a Building Code compliant solution whereas other basement companies couldn't.

I just had Shaun over a few months ago for an annual check up, so I know they're still very much in business.

You're welcome to visit if you want to have a look at what he's done to my basement.

Has anyone here had any experience with cellar conversions? - I am hoping to convert the cellar of my victorian terrace into a kids bedroom/ playroom.

Would be grateful for any tips on dealing with Sheffield City Council building control, or to know if there are any builders anyone would recommend.

I've had 2 companies out and they've told me contradictory things about what's possible, so I'm a bit confused!

Also, has anyone had it done and then sold their house - does it add to the price?

Hi, Phone Rob from Springvale Building and Lanscaping. He is honest and very experienced, He'll be brilliant. his No is 07950352719. Tell him Cath gave you his No.

Has anyone here had any experience with cellar conversions? - I am hoping to convert the cellar of my victorian terrace into a kids bedroom/ playroom.

Would be grateful for any tips on dealing with Sheffield City Council building control, or to know if there are any builders anyone would recommend.

I've had 2 companies out and they've told me contradictory things about what's possible, so I'm a bit confused!

Also, has anyone had it done and then sold their house - does it add to the price?

hi i hope you get everything sorted and if you do and you require a carpet fitter here are my details

i fit carpet @ £1.50 per sq meter
fitting of gripper/underlay/carpet @ £2 per sq meter

i can supply carpet, door bars, gripper & underlay for trade prices

i do have a minimum fitting charge of £30
and there is an additional charge of £20 to bathroom, landing, stair and hallway area's due to the extra time and skill involved

unlike most fitting services i only charge per sq meter for the size of your ROOM and not per sq meter for the size of the CARPET
so not only are my fitting prices cheap there fair.

all fitting is done to a high standard, and also includes FREE hoovering in all area's fitted

for more info call me on 07949721737
or take a look at our website but please note the website is new and still under construction

thanks jamie from Diamond Services VGC

Hi.
We have just finished one celler conversation on shorrow street. It looks very nice. The owner wants to use it as a playroom.
We charged £4000 pounds for evrything (lobouer and material). The reason why we charged £4000 pounds is headroom. We had to dig 2 feet down and then put the concrete down...I will be more than happy to show you this job.

We also do renovations, extensions and new builds as we are team of 10 experiance builders...

For free advice and no obligation quotes please contact me on 07939936647.

Thanks

Elan

4 grand, that's less than 50% of the normal cost, is that fully tanked, with drainage pumps and the like?

We used Oldroyd Xv membrane(oldroyd Xv system). It was not big room as yours. Size of room was 10x13feet.

Elan

You know how big my cellar is? Have you been stalking me?

Hi, you should try MCH Property Services, they are very professional builders covering all aspects of building and installation work of all kinds, kitchen/bathrooms installed, renovations, roofing and plastering too, they have a fantastic reputation in South Yorkshire, even the smallest jobs they take extreme pride in, I had tons of work done by them, have a look at their website – mchpropertyservices.co.uk or call Mark on 07778806752

Please take this hint to stop spamming your details around the forum WOODFLOORCE. If you wish to advertise then take out a listing in the Business Directory.

Hi.
We have just finished one celler conversation on shorrow street. It looks very nice. The owner wants to use it as a playroom.
We charged £4000 pounds for evrything (lobouer and material). The reason why we charged £4000 pounds is headroom. We had to dig 2 feet down and then put the concrete down...I will be more than happy to show you this job.

We also do renovations, extensions and new builds as we are team of 10 experiance builders...

For free advice and no obligation quotes please contact me on 07939936647.

Thanks

Elan

2 feet down, how much above the footings was that? Not having a go but shouldn't there be circa 18 inches of brickwork below the new floor?