Covering Leicester
Alongside Leicester, we also cover Oadby (3 miles to the south-east), Wigston and Loughborough.
Homes in the East Midlands
Across the East Midlands you find everything from city terraces to modern estates and stone villages, so the right extension depends a lot on the street and the materials around it.
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.
- Lightwells and windows for daylight and escape
- Ventilation, heating and electrics
- 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 |
How is a basement conversion approved in Leicester?
English projects need planning clearance from the local council, building regulations sign-off from building control, and party wall notices where the work is on or near a shared boundary. We prepare and manage all three.
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 should I think about before starting?
- New basements nearly always involve the Party Wall Act in England and Wales.
- A pump for the drainage system needs a battery back-up.
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.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
What people ask before starting
How much does a basement conversion cost?
Converting an existing cellar costs about £1,900 to £3,000 per square metre including VAT. A new excavated basement is around £4,200 to £6,600 per square metre.
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 Leicester?
Yes. Leicester is within our coverage for basement and cellar conversions, along with nearby Oadby and Wigston.
Basement and cellar conversions near Leicester
- Basement and cellar conversions in Oadby
- Basement and cellar conversions in Wigston
- Basement and cellar conversions in Loughborough
- Basement and cellar conversions in Coalville
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Leicester.

