Covering Arbroath
Arbroath sits 16 miles north-east of Dundee, with Carnoustie 6 miles to the south-west and Montrose 12 miles to the north-east.
Homes in Dundee and Angus
Scottish homes range from city tenements and sandstone terraces to bungalows and modern estates, and the building warrant process shapes the programme for every project.
What does a basement conversion involve?
A basement conversion turns an existing cellar into dry, usable rooms, or excavates a new basement under a house. Converting an existing cellar is far simpler and cheaper than digging a new one, and often does not need planning permission.
- Damp and structural survey
- Waterproofing design and installation
- Underpinning or lowering the floor where needed
What will a basement conversion cost?
Guide prices for basement and cellar conversions, including VAT where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey.
| Basement and cellar conversions | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Existing cellar conversion | £1,900 to £3,000 per m² |
| New basement excavation | £4,200 to £6,600 per m² |
Do you need permission for a basement conversion in Arbroath?
Projects in Scotland need a building warrant from the council before any building work starts, and a completion certificate once it is finished. Planning permission is a separate decision. The Party Wall etc. Act does not apply in Scotland; shared walls are governed by title deeds and the law of the tenement where relevant.
In Scotland new basements and external lightwells normally need planning permission; all basement work needs a building warrant first.
What should I think about before starting?
- Groundwater levels drive the waterproofing design and cost.
- A pump for the drainage system needs a battery back-up.
What happens after I enquire?
- Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.
What people ask before starting
How do you keep a basement dry?
With a designed waterproofing system, usually a cavity drain membrane draining to a pump, sometimes combined with tanking.
How long does it take?
About 6 to 12 weeks for a cellar conversion and 16 to 30 weeks for a new basement.
Can you visit a house in Arbroath to quote?
Yes. After a short call we arrange a site visit to measure up and agree what the design needs to do, then send a written price.
Basement and cellar conversions near Arbroath
- Basement and cellar conversions in Carnoustie
- Basement and cellar conversions in Montrose
- Basement and cellar conversions in Forfar
- Basement and cellar conversions in Dundee
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Arbroath.

