Basements were a popular feature before and during the Victorian
era, mainly due to the dense inner city population, and the
shortage of suitable space for building. After WW1 low cost
housing became a priority, and large areas of land were released
to accommodate this.
The
British basement was neglected for much of the last century
but the last decade has seen a big revival in basements,
and now they are back
in style. Modern
construction methods and waterproofing techniques have been
key factors in this, allowing basements to be designed and
created in various
ways; New build, Refurbishment, and Retrofit
(as illustrated).
With rising land costs
and shortage of prime sites, some of our
National house builders,
and the self-build sector have recognised the benefits
of basements, and are maximising the space available.
Larger
homes can therefore be built competitively on smaller sites.
Property owners looking to 'up-size' have also
realised
that in this overpriced market, the basement option is hard
to ignore. If you have unused space partially or completely
below
Urbane
home owners without subterranean space are not left out of
the basement boom, far from it. Retrofit basements are well
established in the UK. This is the method of micro tunnelling
under your property, and creating a completely new floor underground,
following the footprint of the building. Specialist Retrofit
contractors offer the complete package,
working with in-house
Architect & Structural Engineer. Excavation, underpinning & other
structural work is carried out with military precision. Drainage,
waterproofing, and insulation are carried out with a high level
of expertise, as are the decorative finishes. Natural light & ventilation
are designed into the basement, to make it an attractive addition
to the property.
The investment will be reflected in the increased valuation
of your property.
