Major Projects Basement Conversions

Date Published:

28/05/2008

If your home is terraced or semi-detached you'll need consent from your neighbours before work can proceed. This will be via a party wall agreement, and you will have to pay for a surveyor to allay any fears about subsidence or damage to shared foundations.

As with all structural work, you will need buildings regulations consent but won't generally need planning permission unless adding a light well, which will change the building's external appearance, or creating new habitable space. To be on the safe side, always check with your local planning department in case such permission is required.

Design Considerations

A well-designed basement should feel like it's always been part of your home, and blend in with the existing structure. 'Consider how you will connect the different areas of your home,' advises Hugo Tugman, founder of Architect Your Home.

'For example, creating an internal balcony on the ground floor can really connect the whole house and add real drama to a space. And pay close attention to lighting, which will dictate the quality of the end result. The art is to create the impression of being above ground, so excavate light wells outside to allow windows to be installed at a good level, and consider creating a semi sunken terrace at the rear of the basement. Using glazed doors can create a lovely open effect'.

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