CONVERTING A BASEMENT TO A VICTORIAN CELLAR

If you own a 19th-century property, a Victorian cellar conversion is often the best way to add an extra room to your home. Older properties in the UK were commonly built with a cellar below ground level, and this space can be extended, converted and decorated to suit your household’s needs. Danford, Brewer & Ives are Victorian cellar conversion specialists, and our team is on hand to provide you with the expert advice needed to extend your home.

What Is a Victorian Cellar Conversion?

During the Victorian era, properties were commonly built with a small space below ground level. This cellar was designed for storage. Families would use the space to store coal, wood or other fuels during the winter months, while in summer the space might be used to keep things cool. The Victorian cellar, however, wasn’t designed to be lived in.

A Victorian cellar conversion takes this small space – which is commonly found in Victorian terraced houses dating to the 19th century or earlier – and turns it into a much larger basement area that can be used as an extra room.

There are countless Victorian cellar conversion ideas, and the new subterranean space can be used for many different purposes, including:

  • A spare or guest bedroom
  • A new living area
  • A games room
  • An office
  • A bathroom
  • An entertainment room
  • A music studio
  • A utility room or storage area

Is a Victorian Cellar Conversion Safe?

A Victorian house cellar conversion that’s been planned and built by a professional basement conversion specialist will be completely safe to use as an extra room. A specialist will ensure that any necessary planning permission is secured, and all building regulations and health and safety requirements are met.

As part of this process, the Victorian cellar conversion will be completely waterproofed to avoid the risk of flooding and any problems associated with damp. For health, safety and general wellbeing, ventilation, lighting and even windows can be built into the design.

How Much Does a Victorian Cellar Conversion Cost in the UK?

Victorian cellar conversion costs vary from one project to the next. There are a number of different factors that a basement conversion specialist like Danford, Brewer & Ives will need to take into account when providing you with a quote.

Because there’s already an existing cellar space in your home, the cost of the conversion will be less than if you were building a basement from scratch. However, costs will still vary depending on how large the existing cellar is and how much more space needs to be excavated to make it fit for purpose. The larger your intended design, the more it’s going to cost.

Other factors that are taken into account include the complexity of the project. If the cellar is below the water table, this adds more work when water needs to be pumped out. You also need to consider necessary infrastructures such as electrics and plumbing, as well as decoration and furnishing.

As a guideline, a Victorian terrace cellar conversion cost generally falls in the region of £700 – £1,300 per square metre if no underpinning is required. If underpinning is necessary to extend the height of the cellar, then costs will rise to around £1,500 – £2,000 per square metre.

An accurate quote can only be supplied once a survey of the property has been carried out. This allows the builders to determine if the work is possible, how much time it will take, and the complexity of the operation.

Are Victorian Cellar Conversions Worth It?

Despite the work required and the short-term disruption to your home, a Victorian house cellar conversion is worth it for a number of reasons. Not only will it add an extra, functional room, but you’ll be adding value and space to your home. In this respect, the upfront Victorian cellar conversion cost will almost always be negated by the long-term gains in the property market.

The benefits that make a Victorian cellar conversion worth it include:

  • Makes use of unused space below ground
  • Creates an entirely new room to suit your household’s needs
  • Increases the value of your property

Contact Danford, Brewer & Ives to Find Out More About Victorian Cellar Conversions

Danford, Brewer & Ives has years of experience making Victorian cellar conversions. Our team is on hand to turn your cellar into a habitable space, and we’re ready to oversee your conversion project from start to finish.

We provide all of our clients with an insurance-backed guarantee and are happy to answer any questions you have about a Victorian terrace cellar conversion. Contact us today for more information.