Cellar Conversion

halia

We are looking at a hosue which has a cellar and wondered about the possibility of making it even more useable.

Currently its 12 x 9 foot, very dry, with stairs leading down to it from the garden. Its only got a head height of 5'8" which is why its only okay for storage at the moment. We'd like to be able to use it as a workshop but would need an additional 2 ft of head height for that to be feasible.

Anyone any idea of costs? Is it just a matter of digging down and sorting a new damp proof floor out? Its incredibly dry at the moment and used for general storage and a kids playroom/den so I don't think it needs to be tanked but would this change if you dug down?

There is electric power down there but its a bit bodged up so I'd want to make sure that was Okay. Ideally if we could get a sink in there too (cold water tap only would be fine) that woudl be great.

jrangi

First thing I would do is speak to the neighbours, or see if it is obvious that conversions have occurs (i.e. windows).

With regards to the work, are you sure you need 2 ft? that is an awful lot of work and will involve many skips. Plus you will need to a specialist if going down that far to make sure the structure is sound.