Can I Add a Cellar to my Barn Conversion?

One Answer

1. Opinder Liddar says:

   31st January 2019 at 9:41 am

   It’s certainly possible to add a basement structure and good to consider this before you start on your barn conversion project.

   Firstly you need to decide on what you need the extra space for. Is it merely a wine cellar? In which case you can buy prefabricated units that fit into a reinforced surround and take up a relatively small area.

   If you are looking for more substantial space, then you may want to balance the expense of putting in the basement to the return on investment. For instance, does it increase the value of the house and/or does it provide you much needed space that you can’t achieve elsewhere?

   So long as this stacks up for you then I’d expect that you will build the new basement by supporting the existing barn structure whilst you excavate the hole.

   This can be done sequentially if you plan to excavate directly in line with the existing outer walls or simpler if you choose not to follow the outer line of the building and excavate well within the exterior of the building like the cellar option.

   You will need a structural engineer to advise you on the best option to adopt to create the basement.

   Generally, basements are expensive in terms of construction costs compared to above ground walls; due to having to support other structures or surrounding ground, removing soil, casting a reinforced slab and wall and tanking the walls to manage water ingress.

   Explore the design and get an assessment of likely costs before you commit to the works.

   Opinder Liddar, Build It expert.

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