Q.
Can you provide finance?
No, but we have a list of financial advisers who can point you in the right direction.
Q.
Can you manage the whole project?
Yes, absolutely. We have a trained and very experienced team who work together from concept, design, permission, build and fit out. From lighting design, to structural calculations to the choice of a period fire place, rest assured we have a core team providing you with the very best quality at a reasonable price. And our experience and buying power means the build will cost approximately what it would have cost if you managed it yourself - meaning our management is basically free.
Q.
Will I have to move out during the construction?
Not necessarily and certainly not for long if you do.
Q.
How feasible is a Planning Application for a Basement?
A basement conversion has less or no environmental and visual impact on a property, neighbouring property and street scene and is often considered the most suitable way of extending a property, as opposed to an unsightly extension or loft conversion.
Q.
How do we know if Planning Consent is going to be Approved?
Sussex Basements have a Planning Team fully conversant with all aspects of Council Planning Policies and Guidelines – especially for Listed Buildings. We would contact the Planning Office during our initial consultation with you and if they or we believe any of your proposed plans contravene local Policies and Guidelines then we would submit a preliminary enquiry to the Planning Department for an informal opinion.
We must stress that we can never guarantee Planning or Listed Building Consents as we cannot control objections made by neighbours, local historical groups, even planning officers themselves can change their opinions. You do however have the right to appeal at this point.
Please note, our team have many years experience in these matters and we will not progress with a project which is ultimately unachievable, as we know it will be a waste of time and money for you as well as us
Q.
What do we do next?
Following the initial free consultation, with advice offered on planning issues and design costs, if you are happy to progress to the next stage, we would ask you for a letter of instruction. Upon receipt, our design team would carry out a full survey of your property and prepare sketch outline drawings for your consideration. When a plan has been agreed, our architects would then prepare the necessary drawings and prepare and submit the requisite Applications to the Council.
During this process, our construction team would provide specifications, tenders and contract documents.
Q.
What happens before commencement of Building works?
When all Council Consents are in place, and all costs are agreed, you would be asked to enter into a contract with us, before we commence any building works.
In the event that any Council Application was rejected, and each party was unable to agree a compromise scheme, and if you decided not to proceed for any reason, we would request the design costs incurred, plus the total cost of any Council fees.
Q.
Will the excavation affect my home structurally?
Through the years of experience within this field of construction, we are lucky to have sourced some of the best structural engineers in the industry. Any structural works must gain approval from the relevant local authority. Once the approval has been given, they are then passed to the site where building control officers inspect the build at every crucial stage. In reality, once construction is complete your home is more structurally sound than before the work began.
Q.
Does the build come with any guarantee's?
Yes, we offer the following guarantees on each completed build:
- Using our particular membrane drainage system we are able to offer a 20 year guarantee on the work
- Under our building contract we offer a 6 month liability period for any defects
- The electrical and heating installations are guaranteed for 1 year
