Converting a cellar into a kitchen

[Bright_Spark]

Hi all

help needed.

i have a refusal on a property and the living room has what is described as a 'sink corner kitchen arrangement' (one corner of the living room which has a sink and a few cupboard)

the electric cooker for the house is in the cellar. my purpose for this property would be to do some alterations and sell it on.

now, the cellar has a timber casement window, it also houses all the properties meters for electric, gas and water supplies. i am thinking of turning the cellar into a kitchen/diner.

the electrics is no problem, i can do those myself, i wish the kitchen to ultimatly be basic, a cooker, fridge, cupboards and possibly a small utility cupboard if pos.

being a sparky, im not as clued up as some when such an idea is put fwd.

can i have your views, opinions, your 'how i would do this...' rough costs (if allowed on here) etc

cheers guys.

Bright_Spark

 

[Frederick]

If the cellar is a decent size and has good ceiling height (so you don't have to excavate) it is a pretty straightforward job. The easist way is to line the walls using a cavity drainage membrane - see http://www.safeguardeurope.com/case_studies/basement_conversion_manchester.php

The cost could be anything from £2000 to £5000 assuming you do the work yourself, depending on whether you include a high spec sump pump with alarm or not. In the arly 1990s no one bothered with sump pumps, but there is the risk of the basement flooding when there is a sudden rise in the ground water level if you don't include one. Most specialist basement companies will insist that you include a sump pump, but if you do the work yourself and the basement is just a bit damp you may prefer to save the money and take the risk. Personally, I'd include a sump pump as the lack of one will probably get picked up when you try to sell the property.

 

[Bright_Spark]

thanks for the reply frederick. the info may prove useful. ive made a note of the website and will have a look through it at length.

the cellar has 'orginal stone flooring' - should this pose a problem for sayin leveling it off and laying tiles/lyno or a laminate for example?

 

[Frederick]

If you go for the membrane option, you can just pour a screed over the membrane on the floor and then put whatever floor finish you want over the top. If you are going for the cementitious option you are really supposed to remove old stone floors and pour a new slab (expensive!). This is because cementitious systems physically hold the water back, so the underlying substrate has to be strong enough to resist the build up of water pressure.