| Do you need more space in your house but want to | | | | Before beginning the conversion a few building |
| avoid the hassles and costs associated with shifting | | | | regulations would have to be complied with. These |
| to a new house? Do you have unused space in your | | | | regulations pertain to issues such as fire escape |
| basement? If you do – there may be a solution. | | | | routes, ventilation, damp proofing, electrical wiring and |
| The best option in this case would be to convert the | | | | water supplies. These issues should be dealt with |
| already existing basement into a space which can be | | | | beforehand. Since the basement is the lowest part of |
| used for your requirements. Converting a basement | | | | the building the ventilation would naturally be either |
| to give more space also increases the value of the | | | | non-existent or very poor. So proper care and design |
| property by a considerable amount. Basement floors | | | | needs to ensure that the basement gets adequate |
| are designed to hold heavy weights so they are ideal | | | | ventilation and lighting. The cellar also needs to be |
| for things such as swimming pools and kitchens, since | | | | waterproofed to prevent seepage and other water |
| not much work will be needed to be done to the | | | | related problems. It is but obvious that the basement |
| floor or the structure of the basement because it will | | | | would be deprived of sunlight. This would make it a |
| already be supporting the weight of the house. | | | | rather cold place, so heating also needs to be taken |
| A basement conversion could lead to a lot of | | | | care of. For the heating, any work involving gas must |
| upheaval for the people already occupying the place. | | | | be done by a Gas Safe registered fitter, or electric |
| If the basement has to be made larger or a new | | | | heaters could be used or you may add radiators to |
| basement has to be made, it would mean digging into | | | | an existing installation if the boiler has sufficient |
| the concrete floor and for safety purposes, the | | | | capacity. |
| residents would have to shift out of the premises. | | | | |