How much does a
basement conversion cost?
Ensoul
As the total cost of moving to a new house
in the £1m+ bracket becomes increasingly
expensive, home owners are looking far
more closely at the economics of improving
their existing home. Therefore, as the trend
for London basement conversions and
extensions continues, the most popular
question we get asked is “How much does a
basement conversion cost?”.
The issue that anyone has when they go
online, or they talk to a basement contractor,
is the price range. Estimated basement costs
will vary from <£2,000 per sqr M to >£3,500
per Sqr M and the scope of what is included
is often vague at best.
24 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk
To be fair, the reason for the wide cost range
is due to several factors including:
• Scope: Is this the cost for the “watertight
shell and core” alone or does it include
professional services and what about the
fit-out costs?
• Insurances and guarantees: the kind of
insurances and warranties offered can
have a material impact on costs
• Geology and access: without a site
survey, it’s impossible to ascertain ground
conditions, water tables, drains, access
routes, etc. All these are unknown risks
that are priced in to high level estimates
TERMINOLOGY
Before we delve into the costs. The
basement industry is full of jargon. Here are
a few definitions that will help you navigate
your way through the process:
• Basement shell and core: This is the
concrete box without any fit-out.
• Professional services: This includes
Architects, Interior Designers, Structural
Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers,
Arboriculturist to name a few.
• BS8102:2009: The definitive standard to
follow for making sure that your basement
is watertight
• Light-well: The escape hatch from your
basement at the front or rear. It’s also a
way of letting more light in and creating
an extra space for possibly an urban
garden.