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Thinking about adding a basement space to my flat - needs some advice please

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  • ok thanks @Section62 - that is definitely a lot of food for thought and perhaps the rationale needs rethinking. 

    Thanks @Emmia - The flow and layout of my home isn't really the issue i'm trying to highlight, and is by no means a hodgepodge as i mentioned, i find this word degrading. I want to increase the physical living area, and include another space that is unique, which (i think) should in-turn increase the value. That said, i won't do it at the expense and risk of something else so its finding that balance which i think has become clear enough here !:)


  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,668 Forumite
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    Shaun1000 said:
    ok thanks @Section62 - that is definitely a lot of food for thought and perhaps the rationale needs rethinking. 

    Thanks @Emmia - The flow and layout of my home isn't really the issue i'm trying to highlight, and is by no means a hodgepodge as i mentioned, i find this word degrading. I want to increase the physical living area, and include another space that is unique, which (i think) should in-turn increase the value. That said, i won't do it at the expense and risk of something else so its finding that balance which i think has become clear enough here !:)


    Sorry you find hodgepodge degrading, that wasn't my intention. 

    I suspect you'll find that the costs of building the basement may outweigh the potential price uplift you may get as a result of doing it - a windowless room does have limited uses and I'm not sure people will pay £50k + more for a cinema room, gym, wine cellar etc... and a pool (with the associated costs of running that) may also not be desirable to purchasers. 

    I think the space in the flat would also need to be considered in terms of layout so the whole property would flow - your basement could otherwise feel like a bit of an add on,  disconnected from the rest of the property 

    I think if your intention is to add value for resale then you should also think about who might buy it, and what property you'd be competing against at that point.
  • Albermarle
    Albermarle Posts: 27,909 Forumite
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    Emmia said:
    An Architect may also be able to suggest an alternative to remove/reduce the hodgepodge of existing rooms and give you a more workable home, without the basement excavation.
    Maybe the architect could have some ideas about using the already available space under the floor, without major works being needed. Such as creating access to it for storage. Like having a loft but underneath. 
  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 9,850 Forumite
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    Shaun1000 said:

    Thanks Emmia - The flow and layout of my home isn't really the issue i'm trying to highlight, and is by no means a hodgepodge as i mentioned, i find this word degrading. I want to increase the physical living area, and include another space that is unique, which (i think) should in-turn increase the value. That said, i won't do it at the expense and risk of something else so its finding that balance which i think has become clear enough here !:)

    You can't really separate the two.  Firstly the feasibility of extending downwards from a construction point of view depends largely on how the existing structure is constructed, and the access you have to different parts of it.  Secondly, having a means of getting to/from the basement (e.g. stairs) will mean giving up some space on the ground floor.  If you had to give up 20% of your lounge or master bedroom to fit stairs in then the devaluing effect of that loss may outweigh the net benefit from the extra floor.  Equally if the only place for stairs meant they had to be accessed via the bathroom then from a practical point of view it probably won't work very well.  A good architect will need to consider the entire layout of the property to give you the best solution.

    "Hodgepodge" (aka 'Hotchpotch') when applied to a building isn't supposed to be degrading - it is a term commonly used in architecture to describe a building which has come into being in an unplanned or uncoordinated way.  And that matters in cases like yours as it can make adding a basement an order of magnitude harder than for a nice simple 'box'.  It is understandable you love your home, but if you go ahead with this project you may find it necessary to detach slightly - a whole range of professionals will be trashing various parts of it (some of them literally doing so) in which case if you find 'hodgepodge' degrading then some of what you'll be seeing later on may be very traumatic.
  • Eldi_Dos
    Eldi_Dos Posts: 2,145 Forumite
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    Out of curiosity if de-watering is required where would it be dis-charged and would there be any fees paid to water board or council.
  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 9,850 Forumite
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    Eldi_Dos said:
    Out of curiosity if de-watering is required where would it be dis-charged and would there be any fees paid to water board or council.
    It would need treating (mainly for removal of suspended solids) and could then possibly be discharged to the river, or possibly to a foul public sewer.  The former possibly needing a permit from the Environment Agency, the latter needing permission from the sewerage undertaker.

    The proximity of the river means relatively high inflows could be expected.

    Also the former use raises the possibility of contamination with oil or fuels (unless the site has been remediated in the past) so the discharge requirements may be limited by that.
  • naf123
    naf123 Posts: 1,708 Forumite
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    How high is your ceiling ? If it's very high , perhaps consider lowering the floor and make a mezzanine. Again a very good technical expertise is needed due to damp and structure 
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 18,011 Forumite
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    Creating a basement is not a DIY job.  The stories we see occasionally about houses collapsing during construction of basements are mostly by supposedly experienced builders who got it horribly wrong.  This might be of interest https://www.labcwarranty.co.uk/technical-blog/10-basement-conversion-costs-you-may-need-to-consider   https://www.myjobquote.co.uk/costs/basement-conversion


  • markin
    markin Posts: 3,860 Forumite
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    How deep would you need to dig, just 2ft? is the floor already 3-4ft high from outside levels for flooding protection?

    How many rooms and sqm would it be?
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