The Art of the London Basement

By London’s leading basement specialists

In London, where space is the ultimate commodity, the final frontier for expansion lies directly beneath your feet. A Basement Conversion London is more than an addition; it is an act of creation, transforming the very foundations of your home into a breathtaking new storey. This is the art of architectural innovation, creating vast, versatile, and light-filled spaces that were previously unimaginable. Our mission is to engineer and deliver Luxury Basement Conversions that seamlessly integrate with your home while offering a world of new possibilities – from state-of-the-art home cinemas and private wellness suites to expansive family rooms and bespoke wine cellars.

We are a team of dedicated specialists who understand the intricate science behind subterranean construction. A successful basement project hinges on meticulous structural engineering, flawless waterproofing, and intelligent design. Our integrated Design & Build process is engineered to de-risk this complex undertaking, providing absolute certainty on costs, timelines, and outcomes. We manage every detail, from the initial geological surveys and the complex process of Digging Out Basement UK soil, to the final, exquisite finishes. We believe a basement is a blank canvas for your most ambitious ideas, and we have the expertise to bring that vision to life with unparalleled precision and flair.

Reltic - Basement Conversion
The Loft Conversion Journey

From Dusty Attic to Dream Space

A Basement Extension London is a significant feat of engineering that requires a far more rigorous process than other types of home improvement. Our proven methodology is designed to manage the unique complexities of subterranean work, ensuring total safety for your property and complete peace of mind for you. We believe in absolute transparency, guiding you through each critical stage of the construction journey.

Step 1: Feasibility, Surveys & Concept Design

  • Our journey begins with a thorough assessment of your property. This includes geological and hydrological surveys to understand the ground conditions, and a detailed structural analysis of your existing home. With this data, our architects design a concept that maximises space and light while respecting the engineering constraints, giving you an initial vision for your Luxury Basement Conversions.

Step 2: Detailed Architectural Design & Planning Permission

  • Once the concept is approved, we develop a full set of architectural and engineering drawings. A Basement Conversion London of any significance will always require full planning permission. Our in-house planning experts have a wealth of experience navigating the specific, often complex basement policies of London boroughs, ensuring a smooth and successful application process.

Step 3: The Excavation Phase & Spoil Removal

  • This is the most visible stage of the project. The process of Digging Out Basement UK soil from beneath a London property is a logistical challenge we have perfected. Our teams use specialised machinery and meticulously planned logistics, including conveyor systems, to safely remove hundreds of tonnes of earth with minimal disruption to your home and neighbourhood.

Step 4: Underpinning & Structural Support

  • As we excavate, we secure the foundations of the existing house through a process called underpinning. This involves systematically extending the home's foundations downwards to support the property above the new, lower level. This critical stage is overseen by structural engineers and executed with millimetre precision by our specialist teams.

Step 5: Waterproofing & Drainage Systems

  • The cornerstone of a successful basement is a flawless waterproofing system. Our approach to Waterproof Basement Construction is uncompromising. We install a robust, dual-system solution, typically combining a waterproof concrete structure with an internal cavity drain membrane system, complete with sump pumps. This creates a completely dry, habitable environment, fully guaranteed for your peace of mind.

Step 6: The Fit-Out & Luxury Finishing

  • With the concrete shell fully waterproofed, we begin the internal fit-out. This is where your vision truly comes to life. Our teams install everything from partition walls, plumbing, and electrics to bespoke lighting systems, custom-built joinery, and high-end finishes, transforming the space into a beautifully integrated part of your home.
A World of Possibilities

What Your Basement Can Become

A basement isn’t just extra square footage; it’s a blank canvas for your most ambitious lifestyle goals. Our expert Basement Builders London specialise in creating dedicated spaces that enrich your life and transform how you enjoy your home.

The Ultimate Entertainment Hub
  • Imagine a dedicated space for leisure and entertainment, away from the main living areas of your home. We design and construct incredible home cinemas with tiered seating, professional-grade acoustics, and integrated lighting systems. This can be complemented by a games room with a pool table or a custom-built bar for entertaining guests, creating the ultimate social hub. These features are the hallmark of true Luxury Basement Conversions.
The Bespoke Wine Cellar & Tasting Room
  • For the connoisseur, a basement provides the perfect conditions for a professionally specified wine cellar. We can design and install climate-controlled systems and bespoke racking to store and display your collection in style. This can be paired with an adjoining tasting room, creating a sophisticated and atmospheric space to enjoy your passion with friends and family - a truly luxurious addition to any Basement Conversion London.
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The Private Wellness Suite & Home Gym
  • Bring your health and wellness goals home by creating a private sanctuary dedicated to fitness and relaxation. We can engineer a space for a fully equipped home gym with reinforced floors, a tranquil yoga studio, or even a luxurious spa complete with a sauna and steam room. A basement's natural privacy makes it the perfect location for a wellness retreat, underpinned by our flawless Waterproof Basement Construction to ensure a perfect environment.
The Expansive Family & Guest Quarters
  • A Basement Extension London can solve many practical family needs. We can create a large, informal family room or playroom, keeping toys and noise contained below ground. Alternatively, the space is ideal for a self-contained guest suite or nanny flat, complete with a bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom. This adds immense flexibility and value, especially for a growing family in London.
A World of Possibilities

What Your Basement Can Become

From renovating an existing cellar to creating a multi-level subterranean extension, our expertise covers all forms of basement construction.

Full Basement Extension London
Full Basement Extension London

The most common project for properties with no existing cellar. It involves Digging Out Basement UK soil from beneath the entire footprint of your home, and often extending under the garden, to create a vast new level. This option offers a blank canvas on which our team can design any space you desire, from a family living area to a private swimming pool, home gym, or a truly bespoke cinema complex.

Basement Renovation London
Basement Renovation London

For properties with an existing cellar, a Basement Renovation London is the ideal solution. This project involves deepening the existing space to achieve great ceiling heights, undertaking full Waterproof Basement Construction, and professionally fitting out the area to transform it from a damp storage space into a warm, dry, and valuable part of your home.

Lower Ground Floor Conversion
Lower Ground Floor Conversion

Many London properties have a lower ground floor that is often dark and underutilised. A Lower Ground Floor Conversion focuses on reconfiguring and refurbishing this space. This involves significant structural changes to improve the layout, maximising the natural light with larger windows or light wells, and fully solving any damp issues using modern techniques to create a bright and premium living area.

(H3) Multi-Level Basement Construction
Multi-Level Basement Construction

For ultimate luxury and space creation, we offer multi-level basement construction. This ambitious project involves digging two or more floors beneath your property, creating a vast subterranean domain. It allows superb separation of functions, like entertainment on one level and a wellness suite on another. This is the pinnacle of Luxury Basement Conversions, requiring deep engineering expertise.

See your home in 3D before we build

Before any design or construction work begins, we start with a detailed digital survey of your property. Using advanced scanning tools, we capture accurate measurements and convert them into a precise 3D model – known as Scan to BIM.

This process allows you to:

Explore Our Virtual Tours

Our 3D scanning technology doesn’t just support design and construction – it also creates stunning virtual tours. Whether you’re planning, promoting or presenting a space, we deliver high-resolution digital walkthroughs straight from the same scan used for your BIM model.

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RESTAURANTS
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FLATS
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HOTELS
A Sound Investment

The Tangible Benefits of a Basement Conversion

Beyond the immediate lifestyle upgrade, a professionally executed basement conversion offers significant, long-term practical and financial advantages for your London property.

Significantly Increase Your Property's Value

In the London property market, square footage is king. A Basement Conversion London adds a substantial amount of habitable floor space, directly translating to a significant increase in your property’s value. In many cases, the value added by a high-quality, well-designed basement will exceed the total cost of the project, making it one of the most financially sound investments you can make in your home. It’s not just an expense; it’s an asset that grows over time.

Gain Functional Space Without Sacrificing Your Garden

This is a critical advantage in a dense urban environment. Unlike a traditional extension, a Basement Extension London allows you to gain vast amounts of space without sacrificing any of your precious garden, patio, or outdoor living area. This new level is perfect for housing practical rooms like a large utility room, a plant room for the home’s services, secure storage, or even a subterranean garage with a car lift, thus freeing up your ground floor for more elegant, open-plan living.

Improve the Layout and Flow of Your Entire Home

A basement doesn’t exist in isolation; it can fundamentally improve the architecture of your entire home. By relocating functional or family spaces below ground, you can completely reconfigure the ground floor. Imagine removing a downstairs WC and utility room to create a magnificent, seamless kitchen and living area that flows directly into the garden. This is a common goal in a Lower Ground Floor Conversion, where improving the flow is paramount.

A Bespoke Solution for Modern Needs

The challenges of modern life require modern solutions. Our Luxury Basement Conversions are a blank canvas to solve these problems. We can engineer secure, climate-controlled environments for storing fine art or valuable collections. We can construct sound-proofed music rooms or create dedicated server rooms for integrated smart-home technology. As expert Basement Builders London, we have the capability to deliver these highly technical, bespoke solutions with precision.

Basement Conversion FAQ

Your Questions Answered

Find clear, expert answers to the most common questions about undertaking a Basement Conversion London.

Yes, almost certainly. Any project that involves major excavation, such as a new Basement Extension London, will require full planning permission. Local councils in London have very specific and often strict policies regarding basements, covering aspects like size, light wells, and construction impact. A simpler Basement Renovation London of an existing cellar may sometimes fall under Permitted Development, but we always advise assuming planning is needed. Our team manages this entire process for you.

Absolutely. Your property's safety is our highest priority. The entire process of Digging Out Basement UK soil and underpinning is meticulously planned and overseen by qualified structural engineers. We work in a sequenced, highly controlled manner, securing each section of the foundation before moving to the next. Your home is safely supported on the new, deeper foundations throughout the entire process.

This is a key part of our design process. We use a variety of techniques to ensure Luxury Basement Conversions are bright and welcoming. These include large, walk-on structural glass panels set into the garden or patio above, light wells (glazed courtyards), and beautifully designed staircases with glass balustrades that allow light to filter down from the floors above.

Our Waterproof Basement Construction comes with a 10-year guarantee, which can also be independently insured for added protection. The cavity drain membrane systems and pumps we install also come with their own long-term manufacturer warranties. We provide a full handover pack with all documentation and certification for your records.

A basement is a more complex project than other types of conversions. A straightforward Basement Renovation London might take 4-6 months. A full new Basement Extension London, including excavation, can take anywhere from 8 to 18 months, depending on the size, complexity, and ground conditions.

This is a common concern for London homeowners. We use a highly efficient logistics system. Typically, a small opening is created in the front of the property, and a system of conveyor belts is installed to carry the soil directly from the basement into a waiting lorry. This method is surprisingly clean, quiet, and minimises disruption to you and your neighbours.

Unlike other building work, basement construction is a highly specialised field of civil engineering. General builders often lack the specific expertise in structural underpinning and, most critically, waterproofing. Choosing expert Basement Builders London ensures your project is designed and built by a team that understands the unique risks and challenges, guaranteeing a safe, dry, and valuable investment for life.

LET’S DISCUSS NEXT PROJECTS

This is the first step towards creating an extraordinary new space beneath your home. Please use the form below to tell us a little about your property and your vision.

Any details you can provide, such as the intended use (e.g., home gym, cinema, family room) or if you have an existing cellar, are very helpful. A member of our basement specialist team will be in touch within one working day to schedule your free, no-obligation site survey.

    Reltic is a design and build studio creating smart, beautifully crafted homes.

    Contact Info

    020 3576 2851

    office@reltic.co

    Office Address

    4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy St, London W1T 6EB

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