Basement and cellar conversions in the Lothians

Covering The Lothians

Our basement and cellar conversions service in the Lothians covers Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate and Bonnyrigg and more.

Homes in the Lothians

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

What approvals does a basement conversion need in Scotland?

Projects in Scotland need a building warrant from the council before any building work starts, and a completion certificate once it is finished. Planning permission is a separate decision. The Party Wall etc. Act does not apply in Scotland; shared walls are governed by title deeds and the law of the tenement where relevant.

In Scotland new basements and external lightwells normally need planning permission; all basement work needs a building warrant first.

What can change the price or programme?

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

Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
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.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Questions about a basement conversion in the Lothians

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.

How do I get a price for basement and cellar conversions in the Lothians?

Use the guide price tool for a ballpark figure, then book a visit for a fixed written price for the agreed specification.

Basement and cellar conversions in nearby towns

Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in The Lothians.