Basement Conversions in Caversham

Basement conversions in Caversham by Stephen Anthony Developments. Turning existing cellars into rooms you can use, with waterproofing, head height and access dealt with before anything is decorated.

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Cellars, Basements and New Excavations

Converting an existing cellar is the straightforward version, since the space is already there. Digging out a new basement under a house is a much bigger job involving underpinning and structural work. What you have already decides which route makes sense.

Basement conversions in Caversham with cavity drain membrane fitted to cellar walls

More Information

Waterproofing and Pumps

Below ground rooms need a waterproofing system, not just damp proof paint. Most use a cavity drain membrane behind the walls with a pump and sump to take water away. That system needs to be accessible for maintenance, which is planned in from the start.

Head Height, Light and Access

Three things decide if a basement is worth converting: whether you have enough height to stand comfortably, whether you can get natural light in through a lightwell or window, and whether a proper staircase fits. Without those it stays useful storage rather than living space.

About us

Basement conversions are specialist work because everything depends on the waterproofing being right first time. Our building experience across 34 years covers the structural side, the drainage and the finish, so the conversion is handled as one job rather than passed between contractors. We tell you at the survey stage if a cellar is not worth converting.

34 years building across Caversham and Reading
Show home in RG4 you can look round
Office in RG4 and clients are welcome to call in
One team from groundworks to final finish
Written quotes before any work is agreed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth converting a cellar in a Reading property?

It often is, if you have head height and a way to get light in. Converting existing space costs far less than digging out new. If head height is short, lowering the floor means underpinning, which changes the job and the budget considerably.

How long does a basement conversion take?

Converting an existing cellar usually takes eight to fourteen weeks. Excavating a new basement or underpinning to gain more head height takes several months instead. The waterproofing and the structural stages account for most of the programme. Once those are signed off, fitting out runs much like any other room in the house.

Will a converted basement be damp?

Not if the waterproofing is designed and installed correctly. A cavity drain system manages water rather than trying to block it, which is why it works long term. Ventilation and heating matter too, since a cold below ground room will attract condensation.