Covering Atherton
Atherton sits 11 miles west of Manchester, with Tyldesley 1 miles to the south-east and Westhoughton 2 miles to the north-west.
Homes in the North West
Across the North West, Victorian terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates all feature, and brick or stone matching is chosen to suit each street.
What is a basement conversion?
Everything below ground depends on keeping water out. We design the waterproofing system (usually a cavity drain membrane with a pump, or tanking) to the relevant British Standard guidance, then add insulation, ventilation, light and an escape route. New basements involve underpinning and a party wall process and are designed with a structural engineer.
- Damp and structural survey
- Lightwells and windows for daylight and escape
- Finished floors, walls and ceilings
What is the guide price for a basement conversion in Atherton?
Use these ranges to budget for basement and cellar conversions; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| 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 |
How is a basement conversion approved in Atherton?
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it applies.
Converting an existing cellar with no external changes usually does not need planning permission in England. Digging a new basement or adding a lightwell often does, and many councils have basement policies.
What can change the price or programme?
- Groundwater levels drive the waterproofing design and cost.
- Headroom of about 2.1 m or more is needed, which may mean lowering the floor.
How does the project run?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- 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.
Your questions answered
Does a cellar conversion need planning permission?
Usually not if nothing changes outside. New basements and lightwells often do.
How long does it take?
About 6 to 12 weeks for a cellar conversion and 16 to 30 weeks for a new basement.
Do you work in Atherton?
Yes. Atherton is within our coverage for basement and cellar conversions, along with nearby Tyldesley and Westhoughton.
Basement and cellar conversions near Atherton
- Basement and cellar conversions in Tyldesley
- Basement and cellar conversions in Westhoughton
- Basement and cellar conversions in Leigh
- Basement and cellar conversions in Hindley
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Atherton.