Damp proofing and survey services. Cellar conversion specialists.
0161 527 6777

Turn-Key Cellar Conversions

Easy Damp are nationwide specialists in cellar conversions and cellar waterproofing and have been providing a quality service for over twenty years.

Get a no-obligation quote from an experienced surveyor

Are you looking for a complete Cellar Conversion?

Easy Damp is a specialist in the art of transforming dark and damp cellar areas into vibrant, functional, and livable spaces, making it a top choice among property owners seeking cellar conversions.

Easy Damp focuses its operations mainly in the Manchester and Northwest region, but often travel nationwide for those clients that are looking for a single contractor to manage and provide a turn-key cellar conversion. With over 15 years of experience in this specialist trade, we are guaranteed to exceed all expectations.

Cellars are commonly relegated to storage spaces, but the presence of damp can damage belongings and foster mold growth. Fortunately, Easy Damp's cellar conversions provide effective solutions, turning these neglected spaces into new bathrooms, offices, cinemas, gyms, and more, all supported by their extensive experience in the industry.

Our team of tradesmen are time-served professionals, that get the job done quickly and efficiently. In most instances, planning permission is not required, so we often aim completion within 6 to 8 weeks, making it a convenient and hassle-free choice for property owners seeking to revamp their cellars into functional and attractive areas.

Find out everything you need to know about cellar conversions on this page

Get a Quote for Your Cellar
Turn your cellar into an amazing space.
Please fill in your details below and receive a rapid response from a member of our team. We can offer advice and answers to your questions, or book you in for a no obligation survey.

No cellar is too dark!

Easy Damp specialises in turning dark and gloomy cellars into beautiful, warm, and inviting living spaces. With our expertise and creative solutions, we can transform your cellar into a functional and aesthetically pleasing area that adds value to your property. Say goodbye to the damp and unwelcoming space and welcome a new, vibrant living space that you'll love to spend time in.

Waterproofing

Cellars, being partially or completely underground, often face damp-related issues, even if they haven't experienced flooding. There are a number of ways of waterproofing a basement, but for a solution that guarantees against water ingress is a Type-C Waterproofing System, this system creates an internal cavity within the structure which is then pump and processed to an external nearby drain, a solution guarantee to manage water ingress effectively.

Prior to installation, it's crucial to obtain approval from Building Control for the chosen system during the cellar conversion process, ensuring a well-protected and habitable living space.

Lowering the Cellar Floor

Lowering the cellar floor to create sufficient headroom is a possibility, but it requires careful consideration. This operation is not without complexities, and one must assess potential risks such as undermining the house or neighbouring house foundations, as well as the possibility of the floor ending up below the water table, which could increase the property's vulnerability to flooding.
Headroom
The clear headroom over the stair should be at least 2m, for some cellar conversions the building regulations allow a reduced headroom of 1.9m over the centre of the stair and 1.8m on the outside edge.

Access

In some cases, cellars may already have suitable stepped access, but whether the existing stairs are appropriate for a habitable room requires assessment by building control. If there are no steps or the existing ones are inadequate, we will install a new stair for your convenience.

Choosing the optimal location for the stairs requires careful consideration, taking into account factors such as the layout of the existing house and cellar, available headroom, and the possibility of providing a secondary means of escape from the cellar area.

Regardless of the stairs' location, they will be designed in accordance with the provided guidance to ensure safety and functionality.
Requirements for the Stairs
Stairs Pitch: The maximum pitch for the stairs should not exceed 42 degrees.

Rise and Going: The maximum rise of each tread of a domestic stair should not exceed 220mm and the going should be at least 220mm.

Handrails and Balustrades: The stairs should be provided with a handrail at least 900mm high. Any exposed edges of stairs or landings should be provided with a balustrade that is at least 900mm high.

Fire Precautions

The cellar will need to be provided with suitable escape routes in case of a fire. If your cellar has a porthole-type window to the outside to provide light and ventilation, it may be possible to upgrade this. Doing this not only provides light and ventilation to the room but also a secondary fire escape.

To be considered as a secondary fire escape it would need to be fitted with a door or window that has a clear area of at least 0.33m2 and 450mm wide. To form a room suitable for habitation, then an escape route has to be installed.?Special fire escape hinges should be fitted to this window or door to ensure that it can be fully opened if you ever need it and you should be able to easily climb up from the light well to ground level.

When converting a cellar mains operated smoke detection will need to be installed, and these detection units will have to be installed to other floor levels if there are no such devices.

Fire doors and frames will be required to seal the cellar either at the top or the bottom of the stairs. In older properties there may be a featured door at the top of the cellar, in this case the fire door can be installed at the bottom of the stairs.
The Ceiling
Unless your existing cellar has an adequate ceiling you will need to provide one as part of your conversion. Plasterboard is the most common material used for ceilings as it offers good fire resistance and flame spread properties. Ceilings will need to offer 1 hour fire protection.

If either your cellar or the room above is to be used as a bedroom you will need to install 100mm of acoustic quilt within the floor void between the rooms.

Heating

To optimise the usability of your newly transformed living space, it's essential to address the heating provision. Our team will carefully assess the positioning and capacity of your current heating source to determine its suitability for cellar heating. A popular choice among our clients is water underfloor heating, which can be installed during the cellar floor construction process. This efficient option offers low energy requirements and enhances the possibility of integrating it with your existing heating system, ultimately keeping your costs at a minimum.

In cases where extending the existing system is not feasible or if you prefer alternative heating methods such as electric panel heaters, thoughtful planning is crucial to ensure their efficient functioning. Proper consideration should be given to how these alternative heaters can be switched and controlled to optimise their performance.

Electrical

Electrical alterations are often necessary during the conversion process. Depending on the condition and age of your existing electrical system, extending circuits might be possible, but sometimes new circuits and a distribution board will be needed. It's crucial to seek advice from a competent electrician early on. When choosing an electrician, make sure they can provide BS7671 test certificates upon completing the installation, as these are essential for obtaining your Building Regulations Completion Certificate. Failure to provide the test certificates may result in additional costs.

Drainage

When planning the conversion of your cellar, consider the room's intended use carefully. Whether it's a sink, bathroom, shower room, or washing machine you wish to include, drainage must be a primary consideration from the outset. Typically, the drains are positioned above the level of the appliances you want to install, necessitating the use of a pumped drainage system. Thankfully, various package systems are available to cater to your specific needs.

Ventilation

To optimise room usability, it is recommended to explore the installation of heating options, with extending the current central heating system often proving to be the most effective solution. Consulting a plumber or heating engineer is vital to ensure your boiler and pump can handle additional radiators. Incorporating thermostatic valves in the new radiators will provide better temperature control.

In situations where extending the existing system is not practical or if alternative heating methods like electric panel heaters are preferred, careful planning is essential to ensure their efficiency. Thoughtful consideration should be given to the switching and control mechanisms for these heaters to maximise their performance and energy-saving potential.

Thermal Insulation

In today's environmentally conscious world, reducing CO2 emissions is crucial, especially during cellar conversions. To achieve this, a high level of insulation is essential to create an insulated envelope that minimizes heat escape. Insulating boards line the walls and floor of the cellar, while the windows should incorporate 24mm double glazing units with low emissivity glass. Beyond insulation, efficiency in services is equally vital.

Opt for low-energy light fittings and ensure any new heating systems operate with high efficiency, complemented by suitable thermostats and controls. By incorporating these measures, your cellar conversion can contribute to a greener and more sustainable environment.
Transforming a cellar into a captivating living space provides valuable additional room within your home. Before beginning the conversion process, it's essential to envision your desired outcome for the space.

At Easy Damp, we often encounter potential clients seeking cellar conversions who gather estimates from multiple contractors. While obtaining quotes is wise, we recommend having detailed plans and a well-designed system with specified materials to ensure accurate like-for-like quotations. Opting solely based on price can lead to unforeseen issues, especially when dealing with damp or building regulation compliance, which might not be apparent to non-experts in cellar conversions.

To address these concerns, Easy Damp offers a comprehensive design service, providing tailored plans and material specifications for your conversion. You can then use these details to obtain further quotations, ensuring a smooth and successful cellar transformation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cellar conversions have become increasingly popular due to the need for more space and high property costs. Converting your cellar can provide additional living space and add value to your property.

The local building control officer oversees and visits habitable cellar conversions to ensure they comply with Building Regulations. Non-compliance can affect the entire project, potential house sales, and even safety.

Consider factors such as flooding history, access, headroom, intended use, escape routes, ventilation, and more. Resolving these issues can determine if your cellar is suitable for conversion.

Lowering the cellar floor is possible but complex. It requires consideration of foundation stability and water table levels. Expert analysis is crucial to avoid structural problems or vulnerability to flooding.

Existing stairs' suitability, location, pitch, rise and going measurements, headroom, handrails, balustrades, and fire precautions are essential factors when installing or modifying cellar stairs.

It's recommended to have detailed plans and specifications to obtain accurate "like for like" quotations. Easy Damp offers a design service to assist you in this aspect.

Posted on Google Google
Glen Smith profile picture
Glen Smith
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We struggled to make our house our home due to the damp restricting decorations so decided to get a quote. Chris was honest from the get go and clear the house would require a lot of work but transparent on the problems and solutions available. We have a busy house hold of 3 children but the workforce were great at communicating and respecting our daily movements. They also prioritised areas to assist with our youngest who has SEN. I would recommend their service to anyone thinking about investing in their home.
Posted on Google Google
Stephanie Hegarty profile picture
Stephanie Hegarty
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Good service, Haley the manager was very friendly and professional. The report was very clear and easy to read.
Posted on Google Google
Lorraine profile picture
Lorraine
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Aidan and Lee turned up full of enthusiasm and got on with the job. Very efficient and cleaned up when completed. Also very cheerful and prepared to go the extra mile. Very pleased
Posted on Google Google
Caitlin Nuttall profile picture
Caitlin Nuttall
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I can't say enough good things about the team at Easy Damp, and Hayley in particular - she's always been super helpful, friendly and organised. The guys did a great job, the quality of work is fantastic and they were lovely chaps. Huge thank you for the quick turnaround too!
Posted on Google Google
Maria Nortley profile picture
Maria Nortley
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I live in a semi-detached house and every Autumn and winter we have lots of problems with condensation. We had started to have mould problems in the dining room which needed decorating so rang Easy Damp to see if this problem could be sorted. Chris come round and was very informative and explained that the mould and condensation was due to the high humidity in the house. He told us the best solution to this problem was to have a Humidistat Extraction Unit. This was fitted a few days after we saw Chris and it has been amazing. All the windows are clear of condensation. The big test will be when it goes colder but I am really impressed at the moment. Can’t thank Hayley enough for getting the ball rolling and she is so easy to talk to and ask questions also to Chris for assessing the problem and getting it sorted quick.
Posted on Google Google
Claire Lewis profile picture
Claire Lewis
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Came and did the inspection, showed me what was needed and booked in the work when suited me. They took the price of the survey off from the work. Job was done in 4 days and they tidied up after themselves.
Posted on Google Google
Samantha Burton profile picture
Samantha Burton
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
This team is amazing... very polite , very on point with keeping you up to date with every step. And the roofing team were so polite and friendly and have done an amazing job we couldn't have asked for anything else so thank you .
Posted on Google Google
D F profile picture
D F
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
What a team! Easydamp have restored my faith in human nature. They are extremely professional. My thanks go to Mike, Haiden and Lee who carried out a very professional job, nothing was too much trouble. Mike even came out when it was apparent he was not very well to finish off aspects of the work. Thank you Mike. My thanks also go to Chris and Hayley who were keen to see that I was happy with the ongoing work. I know feel very reassured. Good work guys.
Posted on Google Google
Sharon Sinzara profile picture
Sharon Sinzara
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Really efficient reliable professional team, who left my house clean. I definitely would recommend it to loved ones. Communication with Hayley was so easy professional and really pleasant.
Damp survey company in the UK, based in Manchester
Our professional damp-proofing services ensure a dry and protected environment for your property, preventing moisture-related issues and preserving its structural integrity.
Conversions & Renovations
Cellar Conversions House Refurbishments
Information & Resources
Blog
Contact Us
Easy Damp
115 Bolton Road
Bury
Greater Manchester
BL8 2NW
Privacy Policy FAQs
Easy Damp Ltd 2024 | All rights reserved