EXAMPLES OF BASEMENTS WE HAVE BROUGHT TO LIFE
The Sewing Room
This cellar in the Ribble Valley had flooded several times and when storm Eva arrived, around Christmas 2015, there was around 3ft of water in the cellar. The lady of the house had for some time wanted a dedicated space to use as a sewing/craft room -somewhere to be able to escape and indulge in her hobby, without having to tidy everything away each time.
With a history of flooding in the cellar they were very cautious to say the least! Could the cellar be converted into the perfect room without it flooding again? Are you sure? Are you willing to take the job on? Well yes – that’s what we do – we start with an unusable unpleasant basement or cellar and transform it.
We removed the existing stone flagged floor, laid a new concrete slab, and installed a cavity drainage membrane system. A concealed accessible sump pump, complete with battery back up pump to safeguard against the loss of mains electricity, was installed in a purpose made sump chamber. Once the waterproofing works were complete, we constructed the ‘room within’ in full compliance with the building regulations.
To say our clients are pleased with the result is perhaps a little understated.
A Stunning Transformation
This is what can be achieved from any dark damp basement. We have the expertise and vision to help you create something special – a place where you will want to spend time relaxing or working or even playing. On this occasion we exceeded the customers expectations so much that this project has become more than the entertaining space they wanted – to being their favourite room in their home. Their existing lounge has been turned into a dining room, the original dining room into a spare bedroom.
We are proud of what we create – you can be proud too!
A Home Gymnasium
Our clients wanted the benefit of a home gym.
There was insufficient head room to facilitate the equipment they wanted i.e. a treadmill and a cross trainer. Unfortunately the existing foundations did not extend deep enough to allow simple excavation. Under the guidance of a structural engineer we were able to construct a “well” which allowed the equipment to be accommodated as can be seen from the pictures below.
A solid southern yellow pine staircase with LED lights above the strings and hand built mirrored cupboards built into the alcoves compliment the overall ambience of the new gym.
The newly constructed light well is finished sympathetically with natural stone copings.
Your basement can be anything you want – we can help you achieve your dream conversion.
Work, Rest & Play
This basement in a private house in Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire comprised 4 rooms totalling some 62 square metres of floor area. One room was partially used but had a distinctive damp odour. Another was a fuel store for coal/logs and housed the central heating boiler. The other two smaller rooms were storage areas. There were areas of the basement which were subject to periodic ground water seepage which restricted the use of the basement.
The client wanted to convert the entire basement into habitable living space comprising a large family/games room, a guest bedroom, a small play room for their child, a sewing/crafts room and workstation for computers etc.
Once the stone flagged floor was lifted and excavation had started it soon became apparent just how much water was present. It is quite easy therefore to appreciate the importance of using a true specialist to carry out your basement conversion.
We can create your dream conversion to a professional standard at a competitive price without compromising quality.
A Guest Suite
This basement in Lytham St Annes was particularly unpleasant especially as there was a lot of fungal growth (Dry Rot) present. In this situation it is important to eradicate the Dry Rot before commencing the conversion works. Our brief was to form a guest bedroom with en-suite shower room and entrance to the front garden, along with a study/sitting room and separate store room.
As with all our basement conversion works the waterproofing is carried out to B.S.8102 and the building works are carried out to full building regulation approval with a certificate of compliance issued by the local authority on completion.
The fully tiled en-suite was constructed with a central outward opening door, minimising the space taken from the bedroom. Inside there is a shower/w.c./ wash hand basin and heated chrome towel rail.
To maximise storage space, without taking further floor area with free standing wardrobes, we were able to construct hanging space and shelving by utilising the alcoves around the chimney. These are concealed by full height sliding mirrored doors which accentuate the light flooding in from the fully gazed door to the front garden. Even the engineered hardwood beech flooring adds a feeling of warmth. All these design details contribute to a light and airy ambience.
The study/sitting room has ample shelving for books, again built within the chimney alcoves, and a hand built desk for the computer work station with additional shelving above. The upvc double glazed, tilt and turn window provides natural light, ventilation, and an additional means of escape in the event of a fire.
We have gained considerable experience in making the best use of the available space in these under utilised basements.
We pride ourselves in the quality of our work and look forward to the challenge of exceeding your expectations.
The Annexe
Our task here was to create an annexe to compliment the substantial accommodation above which was also being completely refurbished.
Our clients wanted a lounge, bedroom with walk in wardrobe, shower room and study. To provide more natural light 2 additional windows were installed – one in the bay of the lounge and one more in the bedroom, along with excavating a light well to run along the whole of the front elevation. The light well was fitted with a complimentary balustrade.
A New Apartment
This project started of as a “we just want it to be dry. We don’t really need the space but it just keeps flooding and if we do put anything down there it just gets ruined”.
You can see from the pictures the amount of water in the basement. When we started work on site we had to pump out almost 400mm (16 inches of water).
Once we had finished the waterproofing works and the basement was dry with no unpleasant odours our clients had a change of mind and the project evolved into “can you create a one bedroom apartment with shower room, lounge/kitchenette and separate entrance with steps to the side garden”.
Of course the answer was yes. They now have a fully self contained apartment with full planning permission and building regulation approval. In addition they have rented the apartment out which is repaying their investment.
As you can see the possibilities are endless. If you’re not sure what to create in your basement then why not have a feasibility study undertaken. I’m sure between us we can wet your appetite.
