Basement and cellar conversions in Portadown

Covering Portadown

Portadown sits 10 miles north-east of Armagh, with Craigavon 3 miles to the north-east and Banbridge 8 miles to the south-east.

Homes in County Armagh

Across Northern Ireland you find city terraces, suburban semis and rural bungalows and farmhouses, so the right approach depends on the plot and the planning history.

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.

Planning and building control applications to the council
Waterproofing design and installation
Finished floors, walls and ceilings

How much should I budget for a basement conversion?

Typical ranges for basement and cellar conversions. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.

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 Portadown?

In Northern Ireland the council handles both planning and building control. Permitted development rules are set by the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015, and there is no party wall act, so we agree access and protection with neighbours in writing.

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

What should I think about before starting?

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.

How does the project run?

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.
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 Portadown 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 Portadown

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