Basement conversions in Putney

The properties we see in Putney

Putney's core is late Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis, generally larger and later than Fulham's, with deeper rear gardens that make extensions straightforward. Towards Putney Heath and West Putney the stock shifts to substantial 1920s and 1930s detached and semi-detached houses with generous plots, accessible loft space and cavity walls — the easiest properties on our patch to work in. Along the river there are modern apartment developments with their own management constraints.

Planning in Wandsworth

Wandsworth is generally the most workable planning authority we deal with, and permitted development rights are more often intact here than in Kensington and Chelsea or the Fulham conservation areas. The 1930s stock in particular tends to have full permitted development rights, which means a rear extension and a loft conversion can often proceed under a lawful development certificate rather than a full application — faster, cheaper and much lower risk.

What basements involves

Converting an existing Fulham cellar costs £2,500–£4,000 per square metre; digging a new basement under the house is £4,500–£7,000 per square metre once underpinning and structural work are included. Hammersmith and Fulham restricts basement development, so the planning position matters more here than the build cost.

Consider this if

• There is an existing cellar that is damp and unused
• You have run out of ways to extend up or out
• You want a media room, gym or guest suite
• The house is in a conservation area where extending is restricted
• You need a utility and plant room to free up space above
• The garden is too small to lose to a rear extension

What's included

• Honest feasibility on planning and ground conditions before design
• Structural engineer and underpinning design
• Party wall awards with both adjoining owners
• Full tanking and waterproofing to BS 8102 with a guarantee
• Sump and pump systems with battery backup
• Natural light solutions — lightwells, sun pipes, glazed link

The standard we build to

Waterproofed to BS 8102 with a designed drainage system, and structurally designed by a chartered engineer with party wall awards in place before excavation begins.

For the full write-up on basements — costs, timescales, certification and the questions people ask most — see our basement conversions page. The prices and standards are the same wherever we work.