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BA S E M E N TS & C O N V E R S I O N S GU I D E
DEEP DESIGNS How the latest thinking in basement construction combines stunning design with innovative space and keeps the planning authority onside.
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here’s an obscure law that says “whatever the size of your home, you always need more room”. In the search for extra space many Londoners dig down, rather than trade up. Building a basement can be the perfect solution in the space race. You might have an aging parent who needs to be nearby. Perhaps you want room for a nanny or au pair. Maybe you’re running a home business and need an office. Or it’s recreational: a gym, a pool, a wine cellar or a cinema. Whatever the reason, extra space can change your family’s life and lifestyle. Cranbrook Basements has been designing and constructing basements for many years. It has vast experience of meeting and overcoming challenges that seem daunting to the homeowner: there’s always a solution, whether to planning or technical problems. It’s true that, with many contractors, building basements doesn’t make good neighbours. That’s one reason why Local Authorities are considering planning policy changes for basement construction. Cranbrook has always operated a good neighbour policy and worked 2 MARCH2014
to the highest construction standards, which gives Cranbrook a high reputation with planning authorities. If you’re faced with either expanding or moving (with the cost, disruption and stress involved) but worry that planning permission for a basement might be a hurdle, consult experts like Cranbrook to see what’s possible within planning policies. Cranbrook’s architectural and design team works closely with clients, developing creative and original features for new living space, optimising the use of space and doing it in a planning authorityfriendly way. Statutory and technical matters are also addressed. A Party Wall Agreement is essential if your property adjoins another. Constructional details are provided to adjoining property owners; their Chartered Structural Engineer can check them. Soil investigation including – if needed – trial excavation and laboratory analysis makes sure that proposals meet British Standards and Building Regulations. What can you do with a basement? Provided planning requirements are satisfied, the sky is the limit!
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26-28 Hammersmith Grove London W6 7BA Swimming pool 6 Wine cellar 6 Family room 6 Gymnasium 6 Guest suite 6 Spa 6 Cinema 6 Kitchen
www.cranbrook.co.uk 0800 525 883 Free no obligation initial design survey, feasibility advice, quotation and 3D visualisation
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For The Latest In Conversions
LOOK DOWN
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hen it comes to thinking about the style of the basement, you will need to carefully consider the architectural detailing of the existing property. Replicating all the period features of the exiting house can look horribly pastiche if it is not done thoughtfully. There might be a beautifully detailed cornice or period tiled floors there, but out of context on a new basement they could look very out of place. It’s often best to leave that style behind and embrace the modern in the basement rather than attempting a fake match. A solid oak or walnut staircase with glass balustrades, very simple doors and square-profile molding can elegantly signal your entrance to a very different space and establish a new character. The basement hallway is an important part of the design as it sets the scene for the whole floor, but it is often overlooked. Ultimately, when you arrive you don’t want to feel as if you are in a basement! Consider angling the staircase so that you arrive into the centre of the hallway rather than facing an end wall, use glass balustrading to allow maximum light and visual space, and at all costs avoid a design which features a long thin tunnel for a corridor with doors leading off it. Depending on the architecture of the house, you may be able to introduce a angled wall to the hallway to create the impression of increasing space, while floor-to-ceiling glass panels move light around
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and create an interesting feature in the hall, leading the eye into the next room.
Living spaces and bedrooms need to be adjacent to a light well so they can have windows or external doors for natural light and ventilation, so they tend to be the front and/or back of the basement, where it is possible to dig a lightwell. The footprint of a typical Victorian terraced house is long and narrow so they tend not to have space at the side of the property for a light well. Semi-detached or detached houses can benefit from additional lightwells to the sides of the property. Ancillary rooms less needy of natural light, such as laundry rooms, shower rooms, plant rooms and storage areas, as well as staircases, are usually best placed in the middle of the basement. Basements are incredibly versatile additions to traditional homes and can add significant value, but you should always visit completely basements of the company you are considering working with so you can agree exactly what you do and don’t like, and know what you can expect to achieve with them. Images and words courtesy of of The Oxford & London Building Consultancy Ltd and BasementWorks Ltd
Choosing a top-end basement company should not be for those who don’t need to ask about the cost. Based upon our most popular bespoke basement designs, our basement packages offer outstanding quality at fixed prices.* Whether you are looking to increase your living space with a cinema room, playroom, study, or gym, or you need extra bedrooms for your family or a nanny, we offer a complete design and build package at a price you can rely on. If you’re considering a basement you’ll have a few questions in mind already. Call us today and let us provide you with the answers. You can also register on our website for an invitation to our next basement open evening at a recently completed project.
* Some conditions apply, please ask for details.
020 8877 0555 www.basementworks.co.uk
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THE PERFECT SOLUTION TO YOUR SPACE NEEDS
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stablished in 2008, Estbury Basements have become one of the leading basement companies operating in and around the London area. Their growth and success has largely been down to their specialist knowledge and experience coupled with their personal client approach. The company has, and continues to be built largely on referrals and recommendations from past and present clients.
Estbury Basements was formed initially, when their owners were reconnected through a mutual friend some 6 years ago after not seeing each other for over 15 years. They originally met at school 20 years earlier! Danny had been working in basements the entire time and Richard had a building company that was looking to capitalise on the ever-increasing demand for basements. It made perfect sense to combine their knowledge and expertise. The idea was to create a company that could compete with the largest out there but strip it back, lose the sales staff and big offices and offering the clients a direct and personable approach without compromising on the workmanship and final finish. This meant that they could offer an excellent service for a very competitive price, which very soon propelled them into the company they are today. Still applying those rules as their foundation, Estbury Basements have built up a great team around them, including a full design department consisting of a highly experienced Architect, Engineer and Interior designer, all with proven backgrounds in basement designs.
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In addition to this they also have a very specialist and knowledgeable site management and personnel team but managing all the while to keep a close-knit team, they have resisted the urge to grow further and risk losing touch with their clients. Estbury Basements are proud of their highly experienced construction team and have a designated fit-out arm for the perfect finish. 2014 has seen the launch of their new division that caters just for waterproofing and specializes in transforming cellars into usable spaces. They can either offer a full bespoke turnkey service taking you through the planning stage, design, construction and fit-out through to hand over or manage each section separately. Either way they are confident they can help you transform your home Danny and Richard have seen a tremendous growth over the past few years in basement requirements due to the increasing cost of properties limiting the options to relocate so the demand for basements has never been greater. Please feel free to call Estbury Basements for a free no obligation consultation. Either Richard or Danny will be at the initial meeting and you will have constant contact with them throughout the whole process for complete piece of mind. Tel: 0844 357 9420 info@estbury.com www.estburybasements.com
BA S E M E N TS & C O N V E R S I O N S GU I D E
Going up in the World The Benefits of Having A Loft Conversion
The most obvious benefit of having a loft conversion is adding space to your home. In fact there are many reasons why people choose to have their loft converted.
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oft conversions have been shown to add around 20% on top of your property’s value, according to the latest Housing Market Research. This can add up to somewhere in the range of £15,000 - £35,000. The value of your property will increase no matter what you use the converted space for. This can be useful as the loft is often out of the way of the rest of the house. In order to get the most benefit from your loft conversion, carefully work out the costs to make sure that these do not add up to more than the conversion will be adding to the value of your property. Ideas for Your Converted Loft Loft conversions are created for many different purposes… Home Office…a loft conversion can be perfect for creating that home office. It is important to have a quiet space when working, and a loft will provide this. A Loft Bedroom… Perhaps the most common use of a loft conversion, also popular in creating a unique master bedroom away from the rest of the house. Loft bedrooms are one of the easiest conversions, and will require electricity though not much else. 8 MARCH2014
Bathroom… When creating a master bedroom you may choose to add in an luxury en-suite bathroom. This is also popular, though requires more work due to the plumbing involved and installation. The main issue will be the sewage from the toilet, which an expert can help you to work out. You should also get advice on whether your boiler will be adequate for a bath or shower. A Play Room... If you have children, this is an excellent use of the space. Just make sure the access to the loft is safe for your children to use. This shouldn’t be too difficult, as there are many great stairway options now available for converted lofts. Stages of your Loft Conversion You may be thinking of a DIY loft conversion, though it is a lot easier and safer to call in the experts. Do you really know how to make your conversion structurally sound? Can you waterproof your dormer? Do you know if your boiler needs to be upgraded for plumbing in the loft? How to install a staircase? All of these can have a huge impact on health and safety, which experts can deal with safely and more conveniently.
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An architect or surveyor will be required in order to determine the loads that will be placed in the building to make sure that your property is still structurally sounds. This is extremely important in all building and planning regulations, so will be required on top of your builder. Not all loft conversions will need planning permission, but you will always need to check this for sure before going ahead. Even if you do not need planning permission, you will still need to comply with building regulations which will include inspections. It is much easier to check regulations before starting work – which will also save you money by avoiding problems down the line.
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Converting a loft is a cost-effective way to extend your living space while investing in your home. We’ll guide you through the basics of your loft or attic conversion, as well as technical aspects such as lighting and energy supplies. FOLD
The best thing is to shop around before going ahead with the conversion, as this will help you find the best quote and service in a loft conversion company, get them to give you a cost agreement, as well as an agreement of certain dates that points of work will be completed.
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You will need to be able to reach your loft easily once it has been converted, and your loft conversion company will help you determine your options when it comes to stairs. They should comply with fire regulations, and may need to be altered if used by small children. Most loft conversions take a few months to complete, and the planning stages can be even longer if you need planning permission. Inspections may need to be carried out, and you may need to get an agreement if the work disrupts your neighbours. The building work itself should take around 1 or 2 months to complete, but get an agreement on certain building stages from your loft conversion company.
See us at the show
STAND 1N101 email: sales@centrallondonloft.co.uk www.centrallondonloft.co.uk
BA S E M E N TS & C O N V E R S I O N S GU I D E
Homeowners LOVE LOFT CONVERSIONS Last year loft conversion company, Econoloft, which has worked across London and the South East for over 40 years, saw an 18% growth in sales compared to 2013, as more homeowners than ever convert their loft and improve rather than move.
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or most cramped families living in Greater London their primary concern is gaining additional living space and the most popular reason for a loft conversion remains a master ensuite as homeowners look to gain more room. Becke Livesey from Econoloft said: “We convert hundreds of lofts every year and our typical customers will be the family who love where they live but find as the family unit grows, the family home shrinks! Their first instinct is to buy a something bigger but moving from a two to a three bedroom home or from a three to a four bedroom house can push the mortgage into another price bracket altogether and that all important extra room can cost £100,000 plus.”
And it’s not just homeowners that recognise the advantages of a loft conversion - Econoloft has also seen a spike in the number of property investors using loft conversions to add value to a property before they re-sell. Raymond Gavin has been investing in the London property market for some time, buying properties, renovating them and selling them on. Until recently he had been nervous about using a loft conversion to improve his properties.
Another popular reason for a loft conversion is to make space for live in help like an au pair. Becke adds: “Childcare payments in London can be the equivalent or more of a mortgage which is why employing an au pair can be much more cost effective. The au pair however, will need her own room and our customers have discovered that having a loft conversion to make room for an au pair will often work out cheaper than paying for several years of nursery fees!”
“Econoloft installed a double bedroom and ensuite in the attic and because of my experience in the construction industry; we decided it would be more cost effective if they took the conversion to shell fit out rather than completion.”
Whatever the reason for your loft conversion, it will not only meet your family’s needs now but is also an investment for the future. Becke said: “Adding more space to a London home will without doubt add value to your property which is why it makes sense to improve rather than move.
“The loft conversion is a fabulous return on investment,” he said. “The space has made a huge difference to the layout of the whole property and has pushed it into another price bracket completely.”
...and investors are catching on too!
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“I was under the impression that a loft conversion would be a difficult and lengthy process,” he said. “But I decided one three bedroomed terraced house in particular was just crying out for a conversion.
He spent £23,000 on the conversion which he says added over £40,000 of profit to the final price of the house.
For more information about an Econoloft loft conversion call 0800 269 765 or email sales@econoloft.co.uk
Econoloft is one of the country’s most respected loft conversion companies and as a family business established for over 40 years, it is considered by many as the loft conversion authority.
PLEASE NOTE: Planning permission rules relaxed 1st October 2008
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INSURANCE BACKED GUARANTEES & DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME AS STANDARD WITH EVERY CONVERSION
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Dream homes from down under
EVER CONSIDERED WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO TURN YOUR HOME INTO YOUR DREAM HOME? REBECCA RICHARDSON HAD. SHE AND HER HUSBAND JAMES LOVED THEIR FAMILY HOME, BUT LONGED FOR A LITTLE MORE SPACE, SO BEGAN TO EXPLORE THEIR OPTIONS. “We contemplated moving, but the estate agent said ‘you have a fantastic house in a great location, you would be mad to move’,” Rebecca explains. They suggested we spoke to Qualitas about a basement conversion, which we didn’t think was an option because our house had concrete foundations”. It turned out the building did have a lot of concrete in the foundations, but not the concrete raft that would have made extending downwards impossible. So Rebecca met with Nick Woodworth and Jonathan Woodcock to discuss the project. She loved their can-do attitude and shortly afterwards work began to add two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a cinema room, a cloakroom, a utility room and a wine cellar to the property. Qualitas were also recommended to Camilla Johnson when she and her husband Julian Banks decided to convert their basement and reconfigure the ground floor of their house. As an interior designer, Camilla knew exactly what she wanted to achieve and was delighted to find a company who really understood her ideas. Camilla says: “I had a vision of what I wanted and of the three companies we spoke to, Qualitas had the best understanding of that. “Once we agreed the project, they managed the entire process from obtaining planning permission to managing the build.” The noise, dust and stress associated with extending can put people off,
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but the realities of having the basement converted were far less impactful than Camilla had anticipated. “The whole time they worked on the basement they didn’t come into the house. So it didn’t seem to upset anyone and didn’t really interfere with our lives. When they did knock through to the ground floor they installed our existing kitchen in one of the bedrooms, so we were able to use that instead.” Rebecca was also thrilled that disruption was kept to a minimum throughout the project and is adamant that any upheaval was well worth it for the results. “Most building work has its problems, but Qualitas were direct and honest and not fazed by any set-backs,” continues Rebecca. “We love our new basement. We often watch movies as a family in our new cinema room, it’s created a real family space.” Camilla credits Qualitas’s focus on the finer points for helping to bring her vision to life. “I really admired their impressive attention to detail and the standard of their work,” Camilla adds. “I knew exactly what I wanted and am very particular about quality and finish and the result was exactly what I visualised. “I’m happy to recommend them to anyone looking to transform their home,” she concludes. Qualitas provide a one-stop solution for basement conversions, extensions, new builds and architectural services. Call 020 8432 5120 or visit www.qualitasconstruction.com
Building for your Future Designing and Creating your Perfect Family Home
www.qualitasconstruction.com info@qualitasconstruction.com Tel: 020 8432 1520
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EXTENDING MORE THAN A HELPING HAND
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itting at home staring at the wall. You’re wondering where it all went. The floor space, the emptiness, the size. When you moved in nobody told you the baby would grow into a never stationary, room clogging, toy collecting, space eater. Why no warning on the length of the in-laws’ visits? Remote working seemed so convenient back then but a desk at the office now feels like an escape. You continue to stare. That wall seems ever so close. Much nearer than it used to. If only you could move it. It may seem like a daunting prospect taking on such a project but with MyLondonExtensions you would be guided every step of the way. Making dream homes come true is what they do. By keeping your worst nightmares at bay. They provide a full service from start to finish: architect provision, planning guidance, building control, party wall consultancy, interior design. Whatever it is you need for your revamped home, MyLondonExtensions provide it. Specialising in basement conversions, kitchen extensions and loft conversions, they are the right choice to make your house a bigger home. It’s a huge undertaking turning the place upside down just to get it all just right. Must perfection be painful? A contractor that not only leads, but also listens makes all the difference. At MyLondonEx14 MARCH2014
tensions they have years of experience of turning things around on track and on budget. From your initial idea to notepad scribble to 3-D model to happy reality, their team of professionals are there to support you in every way. Be it functionalism or fantasy, MyLondonExtensions know how to make your home the home it should be. Some extensions are built out of necessity - that extra bedroom for the newborn. Or just for the wow factor a change can bring, a games room you’ve always wanted or the dream kitchen you thought you could never have. Whatever the reason, nothing is out of reach. They can take you there. Solving your problems and overcoming obstacles is fuel for thought, be they design, architectural or budgetary issues. Whether you want renovation for a leisurely playroom, extension for a minimal but massive kitchen or future proofing for shifting work patterns, they will get you there. So, if you’re still staring and staring, wishing you could move that wall - Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And the right way is with MyLondonExtensions. www.mylondonextensions.com