Covering Edinburgh
We cover homes across Edinburgh, planned from survey to sign-off.
Homes in Edinburgh
In Scotland many families extend bungalows and semis, while tenement flats bring shared ownership of roofs and walls that needs agreeing early.
What do you get with a basement conversion?
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.
- Waterproofing design and installation
- Underpinning or lowering the floor where needed
- Finished floors, walls and ceilings
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 |
Planning and building rules in Edinburgh
Scottish projects follow a different process from England: the council issues a building warrant before work starts and accepts a completion certificate at the end, alongside any planning permission needed. We prepare both applications.
In Scotland new basements and external lightwells normally need planning permission; all basement work needs a building warrant first.
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.
From first call to completion
- 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.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
Questions about a basement conversion in Edinburgh
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.
Do you work in Edinburgh?
Yes. Edinburgh is within our coverage for basement and cellar conversions, along with nearby Edinburgh and Edinburgh.
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Edinburgh.