Hi, I have recently bought a house in Sheffield (Walkley), which has a cellar I am thinking of converting, but I don't really know much about it or know anyone in the area to ask, so I wonder if you could answer a few questions for me:

1. How much roughly do you think it would add to the value of my property; currently 2 bedrooms (one in the attic), 1 reception room, kitchen/diner, bathroom, damp cellar, bought at 120k in the summer.
2. How much do you think the job should cost? The best quote I have received so far is 6k, which I think is reasonable, but some people think this is too much. The quote includes everything to convert it to a dry storage room using a cavity drain membrane system (no space for a window - so legally cannot call it a proper room)
3. Could you recommend anybody to do the job?
4. What are your experiences with cellar conversions? ie. has the system failed and you've been left with damp, how long did the job take, etc

And just any general extra information would be fantastic, thank you for anyones help in advance.

Having mine done shortly, but will be having a window, walls removed and conservatory (expecting to pay around £30k). I think £6 is reasonable if your damp proofing is adequate.

Hi, just read your post give Craig a call [ PS Builders 07941090814 ] he is honest, reliable and very reasonable cost wise .

Try ab basements they are very nice, were about to start ours when our house flooded last summer, :( , they were very nice and i've heard very good things about the finished job. We live in a standard terrace and the quote was about £16,000. They did some other work for me and i was really happy.

try Premieredampproofing they have been doing basement conversions for years and are members of british school of waterproofing,aswell as fmb and use john newton waterproof membrane www.basementconversions.com

Derek @ Swanbeck windows & conservatories is on 01507 363648 based in Louth, but is fantastically priced, has over 30yrs experience, top quality work, all the appropriate qualifications/ registrations.

He also does other work, building, plastering, damp proofing, bathrooms etc. phone him for a quote.

This guy does allsorts, He's primarily a builder & a very good one, he built a fair few the bungalows in Hoyland a few years ago (late 70s - 80's)


All work is guarenteed,

Give him a bell, he'll give you a free no obligation quote.

We used AB basements a couple of years ago as well and they were good. Think we paid approx 13k

Timberwise are experts in basement waterproofing in Sheffield - they use cavity drain membrane systems along with sump pumps to control the flow of water in the basement. They are major installers for the main manufacturesa and offer long term guarantees ion their work - check their website for further info on basements or call 0800 991100.

Hi, I have recently bought a house in Sheffield (Walkley), which has a cellar I am thinking of converting, but I don't really know much about it or know anyone in the area to ask, so I wonder if you could answer a few questions for me:

1. How much roughly do you think it would add to the value of my property; currently 2 bedrooms (one in the attic), 1 reception room, kitchen/diner, bathroom, damp cellar, bought at 120k in the summer.
2. How much do you think the job should cost? The best quote I have received so far is 6k, which I think is reasonable, but some people think this is too much. The quote includes everything to convert it to a dry storage room using a cavity drain membrane system (no space for a window - so legally cannot call it a proper room)
3. Could you recommend anybody to do the job?
4. What are your experiences with cellar conversions? ie. has the system failed and you've been left with damp, how long did the job take, etc

And just any general extra information would be fantastic, thank you for anyones help in advance.


Hi Jacquie,

To try and answer your questions....

1. This depends on when you get the house valued!! If you are wanting to get the work done and sell your house imminently, then not a lot if anything due to the depression in housing prices across the board at present.
If your house is more a long term project, like 3-5 years + then it will almost certainly add value over and above the cost of the work providing it is done correctly and in according with current building regulations and planning guidelines.

2. Impossible to say accurately without seeing it and as you have not given the size of the room?!
But it doesn't sound exorbitant by any means...often people who don't realise the work involved in jobs 'advise' their friends of the price they 'believe' it should cost!! Very often this is way off the marker even using the average price of 3 quotes from professional outfits.

3. Feel free to pm me for further information

4. From a professional standpoint, if the job is done correctly then their should be none of the issues you have outlined. However if corners are cut and best practice/guidelines not followed, then it is almost inevitable that problems may occur down the road. Job time depends entirely on the size of the basement and the extent of the work done.


As general advice to anyone proposing a basement conversion, I would say to consider finished ceiling height as a priority before getting anyone to do the work.

You should aim to get a minimum headroom of 2.1 meters.
Building Regulations don't stipulate numbers for this unless its at the top of a set of stairs or classed as an exit or fire escape (eg/ has a doorway to the outside)

edit// just seen your original post date, but have left this info for anyone else who may be contemplating a basement conversion.

Hi, I have recently bought a house in Sheffield (Walkley), which has a cellar I am thinking of converting, but I don't really know much about it or know anyone in the area to ask, so I wonder if you could answer a few questions for me:

1. How much roughly do you think it would add to the value of my property; currently 2 bedrooms (one in the attic), 1 reception room, kitchen/diner, bathroom, damp cellar, bought at 120k in the summer.
2. How much do you think the job should cost? The best quote I have received so far is 6k, which I think is reasonable, but some people think this is too much. The quote includes everything to convert it to a dry storage room using a cavity drain membrane system (no space for a window - so legally cannot call it a proper room)
3. Could you recommend anybody to do the job?
4. What are your experiences with cellar conversions? ie. has the system failed and you've been left with damp, how long did the job take, etc

And just any general extra information would be fantastic, thank you for anyones help in advance.


i do cellar conversions and specialise in all types of conversions in sheffield rotherham barnsley and doncaster i guarntee to beat any quote and give free inspections and quotes. i am fsb registered federation of master builders all my conversions come with a guarntee for 25 years and deigned through to completion my number is 07908818697 (gareth) give me a call and will gladly come and have a look at it for you most big companies charge ridiculous amounts and like i said i always guarntee to beat any quote you receive

Having mine done shortly, but will be having a window, walls removed and conservatory (expecting to pay around £30k). I think £6 is reasonable if your damp proofing is adequate.

who gave you that quote thats mad!!!!!
i woulldnt even charge half of that if u have not had this done yet my number is 07908818697 and specialise in all cellar conversions in sheffield, rotherham, barnsley and doncaster i am fsb registered (federation of master builders) i give 25 years guarantee on all my conversions and guarntee to beat any quote you receive with a fre inspection and quote i will gladly come have a look and quote you on the work. gareth

We used AB Basements around 6 years ago. They were very good, reasonably priced and very very tidy. Couldn't fault the work or the attention to detail. Tried to get them back for another conversion last year but they were too busy so we employed another builder. Just as reasonably priced but the floor let water in. The builder did return and sorted the problem but left a real mess for us to deal with and didn't finish off nearly as well as AB. I would definately recommend them, even if you have to wait for them to become available.

Hi, I have recently bought a house in Sheffield (Walkley), which has a cellar I am thinking of converting, but I don't really know much about it or know anyone in the area to ask, so I wonder if you could answer a few questions for me:

1. How much roughly do you think it would add to the value of my property; currently 2 bedrooms (one in the attic), 1 reception room, kitchen/diner, bathroom, damp cellar, bought at 120k in the summer.
2. How much do you think the job should cost? The best quote I have received so far is 6k, which I think is reasonable, but some people think this is too much. The quote includes everything to convert it to a dry storage room using a cavity drain membrane system (no space for a window - so legally cannot call it a proper room)
3. Could you recommend anybody to do the job?
4. What are your experiences with cellar conversions? ie. has the system failed and you've been left with damp, how long did the job take, etc

And just any general extra information would be fantastic, thank you for anyones help in advance.

You should be paying about that much for the waterproofing alone. you need to make sure that there is an adequate sump and pump system with underfloor drainage. If you cannot afford £12 - £13k for the whole thing you should either be doing most of the work yourself or don't bother. Certainly don't compromise on the waterproofing!