How does a basement conversion compare to a loft conversion?
When it comes to adding space to your home without sacrificing garden space, there are two options; expand upwards into the attic, or expand down into the cellar. But how do the two compare?
Often times terraced houses in Sheffield and the surrounding South Yorkshire area already have a subterranean space which either consists of a single cellar under one of the ground floor rooms, or a double basement expanding the full ground-floor footprint of the property. So on this basis the cost of a cellar conversion is comparable to that of a loft conversion.
“Converting a cellar can result in an 18% boost in the overall value of your home.”
— For South Yorkshire properties, Plumplot, 2023
How much does it cost to convert a basement?
A common question people ask themselves before they commit to tackling a major home improvement is whether or not the project is a good investment. Converting your cellar can make sense in some cases. In monetary terms converting your basement can result in up to an 18% boost to the overall value of your home, and is often more cost effective than moving to a larger property if additional living space is the primary concern. Or the additional space could be used to bring in a regular rental income. However, with weighting the expense of the project compared to the plus points does depend upon your particular situation.
Common things to consider with your cellar conversion
Damp
The presence of water courses, poor ventilation, and many other factors can result in a damp and uninviting basement over time, so it’s important to get the basics right in the first instance:
- In terms of both materials and expertise, you really do get what you pay for
- Do some research into potential future implications of climate change in your area
- Consider if any changes to property-wide heating and ventilation systems could be beneficial
Lighting
Design is everything when getting the right amount of light into the basement conversion for a homely feel. Some points to think about include:
- Space usage should be considered eg media rooms don’t require high levels of natural light
- Having a simple open-plan layout will allow light to penetrate further into the space
- Skylights and glazed roofing can reduce dark spots
Planning
Planning permission may not be required for conversions where no structural changes are required, however planning permission will be required if:
- You wish to remove structural walls to create an open-plan space
- You need to excavate further to provide adequate headroom
- You live in a listed property or conservation area