Covering Porthcawl
Alongside Porthcawl, we also cover Bridgend, Maesteg (9 miles to the north) and Llantwit Major.
Homes in Mid Glamorgan
Housing in Wales ranges from terraced streets in the valleys and older industrial towns to stone-built homes in rural areas and modern estates around the cities.
What goes into a basement conversion?
Everything below ground depends on keeping water out. We design the waterproofing system (usually a cavity drain membrane with a pump, or tanking) to the relevant British Standard guidance, then add insulation, ventilation, light and an escape route. New basements involve underpinning and a party wall process and are designed with a structural engineer.
- Damp and structural survey
- Underpinning or lowering the floor where needed
- Lightwells and windows for daylight and escape
What is the guide price for a basement conversion in Porthcawl?
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 Porthcawl?
Planning decisions in Wales are made by the local council, using permitted development rules set by the Welsh Government rather than England’s. Building regulations in Wales have their own approved documents, and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to work on shared walls and boundaries.
In Wales an existing cellar conversion usually does not need planning permission; new excavation and lightwells may.
What should Porthcawl homeowners check first?
- 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?
- Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
- 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.
- We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.
What people ask before starting
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.
How long does it take?
About 6 to 12 weeks for a cellar conversion and 16 to 30 weeks for a new basement.
Who deals with the council for a project in Porthcawl?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Other towns nearby
- Basement and cellar conversions in Bridgend
- Basement and cellar conversions in Maesteg
- Basement and cellar conversions in Llantwit Major
- Basement and cellar conversions in Cowbridge
Learn more about basement and cellar conversions, or see every project we cover in Porthcawl.