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Pondering on moving Kitchen to Cellar

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Its a small terraced house.This would increase my lounge space considerably.I have some cash available.Has anyone done this please?What is the approximate TOTAL cost??Have you done this to your property??The advantages are obvious...but are there any pitfalls please??
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Comments

  • la531983
    la531983 Posts: 3,098 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    An obvious pitfall is when you sell the house nobody wants their kitchen to be in the cellar. 
  • la531983 said:
    An obvious pitfall is when you sell the house nobody wants their kitchen to be in the cellar. 
    It might be better than in the lounge lol.This is a big thing up North I reckon??Ive seen it done really well ??   
  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,627 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Ventilation, fire exit risks - keeping the area dry (cellars tend to be noted for their humidity/moisture levels - cooking tends to increase moisture levels).

    Also, loss of storage space.

    Is your kitchen bigger than your lounge (could you swap them) Or do you have one of those kitchen/lounge/diner in a single room arrangements.
  • la531983
    la531983 Posts: 3,098 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    la531983 said:
    An obvious pitfall is when you sell the house nobody wants their kitchen to be in the cellar. 
    It might be better than in the lounge lol.This is a big thing up North I reckon??Ive seen it done really well ??   
    Suppose it depends I guess. But some people won't want the kitchen in the cellar. Sure you will find a seller who will though. 

    Personally I wouldn't want to be carting food up and down stairs,  so depends if you are putting a dining room table down there too. 
  • Emmia said:
    Ventilation, fire exit risks - keeping the area dry (cellars tend to be noted for their humidity/moisture levels - cooking tends to increase moisture levels).

    Also, loss of storage space.

    Is your kitchen bigger than your lounge (could you swap them) Or do you have one of those kitchen/lounge/diner in a single room arrangements.
    Thank You...some good points there...your last sentence is correct !!  
  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,627 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 23 September 2023 at 8:48AM
    la531983 said:
    la531983 said:
    An obvious pitfall is when you sell the house nobody wants their kitchen to be in the cellar. 
    It might be better than in the lounge lol.This is a big thing up North I reckon??Ive seen it done really well ??   
    Suppose it depends I guess. But some people won't want the kitchen in the cellar. Sure you will find a seller who will though. 

    Personally I wouldn't want to be carting food up and down stairs,  so depends if you are putting a dining room table down there too. 
    To add, I think those that have done it well, are more basement conversations, rather than just plonking some kitchen units in the cellar, with tanking the walls, digging the floor out for height (does the cellar have the headroom) and (fundamentally) plumbing all considerations - i suspect you're talking tens of thousands costwise.

    Although this isn't necessarily the biggest consideration, would the change affect (increase) the price of your property?
  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,627 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 23 September 2023 at 8:52AM
    Emmia said:
    Ventilation, fire exit risks - keeping the area dry (cellars tend to be noted for their humidity/moisture levels - cooking tends to increase moisture levels).

    Also, loss of storage space.

    Is your kitchen bigger than your lounge (could you swap them) Or do you have one of those kitchen/lounge/diner in a single room arrangements.
    Thank You...some good points there...your last sentence is correct !!  
    Is your property freehold or leasehold?

    If it's leasehold, then you'll need permission from the freeholder, and I suspect this will add a fair whack on to the cost.
  • Emmia said:
    Emmia said:
    Ventilation, fire exit risks - keeping the area dry (cellars tend to be noted for their humidity/moisture levels - cooking tends to increase moisture levels).

    Also, loss of storage space.

    Is your kitchen bigger than your lounge (could you swap them) Or do you have one of those kitchen/lounge/diner in a single room arrangements.
    Thank You...some good points there...your last sentence is correct !!  
    Is your property freehold or leasehold?

    If it's leasehold, then you'll need permission from the freeholder, and I suspect this will add a fair whack on to the cost.
    Freehold...I can do what I like ?? 
  • Emmia said:
    la531983 said:
    la531983 said:
    An obvious pitfall is when you sell the house nobody wants their kitchen to be in the cellar. 
    It might be better than in the lounge lol.This is a big thing up North I reckon??Ive seen it done really well ??   
    Suppose it depends I guess. But some people won't want the kitchen in the cellar. Sure you will find a seller who will though. 

    Personally I wouldn't want to be carting food up and down stairs,  so depends if you are putting a dining room table down there too. 
    To add, I think those that have done it well, are more basement conversations, rather than just plonking some kitchen units in the cellar, with tanking the walls, digging the floor out for height (does the cellar have the headroom) and (fundamentally) plumbing all considerations - i suspect you're talking tens of thousands costwise.

    Although this isn't necessarily the biggest consideration, would the change affect (increase) the price of your property?
    Its my last home.....I'm 65.Headroom is 2.5 metrres. 
  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,627 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Emmia said:
    Emmia said:
    Ventilation, fire exit risks - keeping the area dry (cellars tend to be noted for their humidity/moisture levels - cooking tends to increase moisture levels).

    Also, loss of storage space.

    Is your kitchen bigger than your lounge (could you swap them) Or do you have one of those kitchen/lounge/diner in a single room arrangements.
    Thank You...some good points there...your last sentence is correct !!  
    Is your property freehold or leasehold?

    If it's leasehold, then you'll need permission from the freeholder, and I suspect this will add a fair whack on to the cost.
    Freehold...I can do what I like ?? 
    You should check with your council, as there may be other regulations you need to comply with- an example of council requirements...

    https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20375/building_regulations/1067/extensions_and_conversions/5
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