Covering Cowbridge
Cowbridge is about 11 miles west of Cardiff. We also cover Llantwit Major (4 miles to the south-west), Bridgend and Barry.
Homes in South Glamorgan
Housing in Wales ranges from terraced streets in the valleys and older industrial towns to stone-built homes in rural areas and modern estates around the cities.
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.
- Planning and building regulations checks under Welsh rules
- Ventilation, heating and electrics
- Finished floors, walls and ceilings
How much should I budget for a basement conversion?
Typical ranges for basement and cellar conversions. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.
| 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 |
Planning and building rules in Cowbridge
Planning decisions in Wales are made by the local council, using permitted development rules set by the Welsh Government rather than England’s. Building regulations in Wales have their own approved documents, and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to work on shared walls and boundaries.
In Wales an existing cellar conversion usually does not need planning permission; new excavation and lightwells may.
What can affect a basement conversion?
- A pump for the drainage system needs a battery back-up.
- Headroom of about 2.1 m or more is needed, which may mean lowering the floor.
How does the project run?
- Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
- Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
- Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
- We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.
Basement and cellar conversions: common questions
Does a cellar conversion need planning permission?
Usually not if nothing changes outside. New basements and lightwells often do.
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.
Do you work in Cowbridge?
Yes. Cowbridge is within our coverage for basement and cellar conversions, along with nearby Llantwit Major and Bridgend.
Also covering
- Basement and cellar conversions in Llantwit Major
- Basement and cellar conversions in Bridgend
- Basement and cellar conversions in Barry
- Basement and cellar conversions in Whitchurch
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Cowbridge.