Cellar conversion

BeardedWonder

We have  cellar in our Edwardian 3 bed semi which is currently an unattractive dumping ground. Looking to convert it into something a bit more habitable:  living room, toilet/cloakroom and a bit of storage.

Wasn't expecting this to be cheap by any means but the couple  of quotes in are more than I thought. Guess this might be the cost of things given inflation and increase in material cost. Just want to get 2nd opinions in case the builders are chancing their luck..

Quotes are from   specialist cellar conversion companies with good reputation in the area (Manchester)

The cellar is 1 main chamber, 1 smaller 1 with height approx 1.9m. Concrete floor directly on the ground

Work includes:

- damp proofing to BSI grade 3

- removal of floor, excavate and replacing with insulated floor

-  removal of stud wall

- Oldroyd Xv membrane to walls

- drainage

- replacing existing stairwell

- creation of cloakroom and toilet

- electrics

- plumbing

Cost is £33k (inc VAT).

We've had a 2nd quote which was a more ambitious spec: in addition to the above they would do an underbuild and create a full bathroom including shower, not just a cloakroom. Sounds great but that came to a total cost of £57k.

prices might be a sign of the times.. thoughts welcome.

Doozergirl

Doesn't surprise me at all. 

A cellar conversion has never really been a value for money way of extending a property unless you're in London. 

It's hugely risky.  I'd extend anything before a cellar.  As a building company we simply
made a decision that it's
not worth the potential
hassle.  I want to be able to provide a genuine guarantee of quality.  

BeardedWonder

Only option for more space is loft or cellar conversion, we've got no way of extending. The alternative is moving, and similar houses in the area with an extra bedroom cost around £100k to £125k before you look at the costs of moving.

FreeBear

My main concern with a cellar conversion (aside from the damp) is emergency exit in case of fire. Then there is ventilation and natural light - Both are difficult, though not impossible to solve (fans, sun tubes).

Depending on which part of the country you are in, radon may also be an issue.

Doozergirl

BeardedWonder said:

Only option for more space is loft or cellar conversion, we've got no way of extending. The alternative is moving, and similar houses in the area with an extra bedroom cost around £100k to £125k before you look at the costs of moving.

Then the answer is loft first.  It's a LOT cheaper and far more reliable.  

Doozergirl

FreeBear said:

My main concern with a cellar conversion (aside from the damp) is emergency exit in case of fire. Then there is ventilation and natural light - Both are difficult, though not impossible to solve (fans, sun tubes).

Depending on which part of the country you are in, radon may also be an issue.

You need all of those for building regs, so you need to create a light well for an appropriate escape window.