Basement and cellar conversions in Magherafelt

Covering Magherafelt

Magherafelt sits 33 miles south-east of Derry, with Cookstown 9 miles to the south-west and Ballymena 15 miles to the north-east.

Homes in County Londonderry

Housing in Northern Ireland mixes terraces in Belfast and Derry with detached houses and bungalows in towns and rural areas, many with room to extend.

What is included in a basement conversion in Magherafelt?

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.

Planning and building control applications to the council
Underpinning or lowering the floor where needed
Lightwells and windows for daylight and escape

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 Magherafelt?

Projects in Northern Ireland need planning clearance from one of the eleven councils and building control approval, also from the council. The Party Wall etc. Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, so work near neighbours is agreed directly and documented carefully.

In Northern Ireland new basements and external changes normally need planning permission; building control approval is needed.

What should Magherafelt homeowners check first?

Groundwater levels drive the waterproofing design and cost.
Headroom of about 2.1 m or more is needed, which may mean lowering the floor.

What happens after I enquire?

Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
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.

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 do you keep a basement dry?

With a designed waterproofing system, usually a cavity drain membrane draining to a pump, sometimes combined with tanking.

Who deals with the council for a project in Magherafelt?

We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.

Also covering

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