Covering Livingston
Alongside Livingston, we also cover Bathgate (5 miles to the west), Linlithgow and Grangemouth.
Homes in the Lothians
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 is 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
- Lightwells and windows for daylight and escape
- Finished floors, walls and ceilings
How much should I budget for a basement conversion?
What basement and cellar conversions typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.
| 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 Livingston?
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 should Livingston homeowners check first?
- Groundwater levels drive the waterproofing design and cost.
- A pump for the drainage system needs a battery back-up.
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.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
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 do you keep a basement dry?
With a designed waterproofing system, usually a cavity drain membrane draining to a pump, sometimes combined with tanking.
Can you visit a house in Livingston to quote?
Yes. After a short call we arrange a site visit to measure up and agree what the design needs to do, then send a written price.
Basement and cellar conversions near Livingston
- Basement and cellar conversions in Bathgate
- Basement and cellar conversions in Linlithgow
- Basement and cellar conversions in Grangemouth
- Basement and cellar conversions in Dunfermline
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Livingston.