Method of construction

Basements

The construction method can be broken down to each stage as given below. If anything is unclear or you
would like further information please call or email us.

Preliminary works Design, planning, calculations, Party wall notices and

moving services if needed.

Front excavation and holding where the work place will enter

Insertion of structural beams to support the floor above

Underpinning, excavation and slab construction.

Water proofing and floor construction

New staircase

Internal fit out plumbing, Electrics, Plaster boarding, Plastering, Decoration, (could also involve
partition walls, a new kitchen, bathrooms, depending on the client the options are endless).

The sewage of the premises sometimes needs diverting as well.

Each stage is crucial to get right, if not the project could result in failures or in creating an unattractive
space, which is not fully utilised.

Stage 1 Preliminary works

It is crucial to get the design right to suite your needs. Once a design is established it will be submitted
to planning as most basements need planning consent (unless it can be achieved under permitted
development, rarely the case in basements).

We will prepare calculations and drawings for Building Control and Party Wall surveyors.

We can offer a full design service depending on your needs from a simple shell to a modern high
standard finish.
Some services such as gas and electric meters might need moving prior of works.

Stage 2 Front excavation

If you currently have some type of basement or cellar we might be able to dig from the front garden so
all the works go from the front garden as appose to through the house. This will enable you to be less
disturbed during the majority of the construction stage. We might be able to work under some slabs
depending on the slab construction.

The holding is placed for security and storage.

The front area might be filled in on a later stage or constructed to accommodate a front light well.

If no basement exists we will still build a front holding, however we will need access to the front room in
the initial stage as we might not be able to work under the concrete or the wood floor.

Stage 3 Insertion of Beams

This will depend on the design but usually in older houses it will take the load of the floor of the ground
floor and entail moving the sleepers. This will enable a clear open space hence making the basement
potentially one of the biggest rooms of the home if not the largest.

Stage 4 Underpinning, excavation and slab construction

This stage will take time as the underpinning has to be done in sequence according to the engineers
specification and inspected by the building control. Once the underpinning is completed the remaining
soil will be removed. Once the earth is removed the slab can be constructed, the slab will be 200 to
300mm thick with reinforced steel normally tied into the toes of the pins.

Stage 5 - Water proofing and floor construction

The new room is water proofed by a membrane on the floor and walls and sealed together. The floor
will be constructed of 18mm tongue and grove boards or screed on top of the membrane. This will
depend on the type of flooring required to finish the room.

As the waterproofing is crucial more information is dedicated to this subject.

Stage 6 Staircase

We might have done all the works without interfering with the main house however once the new
staircase is to be fitted, access will be needed. This stage might be delayed while the internal fit out is
taking place.

Stage 7 - Internal fit out

This stage is where your basement area comes alive to suite your needs. The electrics, plumbing,
portioning and all the internal work will depend on your needs which were implemented in the design.