Basements, the facts to know

When walking down the residential streets of Fulham, you will come across multiple basement conversions in their construction stage or finished. Basements are a great way to add square footage to your property and therefore increase your property’s value. This article will introduce you to the pricing of a basement conversion and some design tips to think about when you are in the planning stages.

Prices for basement work differ all over the country, and this article is about London.

Our published rates for basement work are on the cost calculator, by specification tier. On top of the construction figure you need to think about VAT at 20 per cent and professional fees. Most of the cost is the excavation, the underpinning of the existing foundations and the waterproofing, which is why a basement is dearer than an extension above ground.

One should also take into consideration that with home renovations, issues can arise and the cost could be more than expected.

A lot of London terraces take a basement of around 4m by 9m, which is 36 square metres. Take the construction rate for that area off the calculator, then add VAT at 20 per cent and professional fees at 10 to 15 per cent of the construction figure. That arithmetic, not a headline rate, is the number to budget against.

Remember that party walls also have to be in place before any work is started on your basement. This can take time and costs money, so take it into account.

It is always good to get a professional architect and quantity surveyor in to work on your individual project as every house is different and professionals will be your first contact. At NU Projects we take the stress out of the whole process by doing everything from start to finish. It is a lot easier sticking with one contractor than having many.

Basement finishes

It is important to think about key factors like lighting when creating your basement plan. Save the brightest spots in your basements for your main socialising areas. Natural light will draw people in. If you are placing a bedroom in the basement, place this at the front or the back perimeter in order to have a window egress. Building control will also want a means of escape from a bedroom below ground, which in practice means a window into a lightwell.

The darker rooms, in the central area of your basement can be used for such activities as a cinema room, a gym, a children’s playroom, a utility room or a wine cellar.

Downlights and LEDs are a sound choice. With basement ceilings not being as high as your ceiling above ground level, normally at around 2.5 metres, you don’t want lights that hang down and take up important head space. If you want decorative lighting, think about wall pendants or floor lamps: still super chic and add a bit of glamour.

Natural light will always be lacking, so think about wall colours that will be welcoming and warming.

Use bright contrasting fabrics to add personality to your room. Rugs, decorative curtains, or wall fabrics instead of paint and wallpaper can really make a room with no natural light feel cosy and comfortable.

A basement adds to the value of the house and gives the family the space without moving out of the street. If you are thinking about one and want a quote or some advice, tell us about the house, or call us on 020 7731 6841.