Covering Falkirk
We work in Falkirk (FK1) and the places around it, including Grangemouth, Linlithgow and Alloa.
Homes in the Forth Valley
Housing in Scotland includes tenements in the cities, sandstone villas, inter-war and post-war semis and a large number of bungalows, which often suit dormer and upward extensions.
What goes into 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.
- Building warrant application and completion certificate
- Underpinning or lowering the floor where needed
- Finished floors, walls and ceilings
How much should I budget for a basement conversion?
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 Falkirk?
In Scotland the key step is the building warrant, which must be granted before work begins. Planning permission is decided separately by the council, and work on shared walls is handled under your title deeds rather than a party wall act.
In Scotland new basements and external lightwells normally need planning permission; all basement work needs a building warrant first.
What should Falkirk homeowners check first?
- 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
- 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
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 Falkirk?
Yes. Falkirk is within our coverage for basement and cellar conversions, along with nearby Grangemouth and Linlithgow.
Basement and cellar conversions in nearby towns
- Basement and cellar conversions in Grangemouth
- Basement and cellar conversions in Linlithgow
- Basement and cellar conversions in Alloa
- Basement and cellar conversions in Cumbernauld
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Falkirk.