Initial Process
Following an initial discussion (via telephone/e-mail) to establish feasibility and give you an indicative budget cost. We set up a convenient appointment at your at your proposed site. We commit to producing a quotation/contract offer, to be with you within seven days.
Should you accept our offer, we carry out a full comprehensive survey of your property in order to produce a full set of planning approval drawings, which will be drawn and designed in full consultation with yourselves. (This process will take approximately 10-15 working days.)Once the plans are submitted to your local planning authority they have 8 weeks to make their decision. (This process could however take up to 12 weeks, subject to various other issues.) We carry out onsite exploratory tests and trials at this stage; the information compiled is used in the structural design.We will prepare a full set of building regulation drawings, along with structural details, specifications and structural calculations. 
You will possibly need to appoint a party wall surveyor at this stage. From the time a notice is served, it could take approximately 8 weeks. Allowing for the time it may take for to compile the notice, the whole process could take up to 12 weeks total. (To save time this process can begin as soon as building regulations drawings are ready.) However, if all circumstances where favourable this could be sorted out within a few weeks We do not carry out the party wall survey's ourselves, but would be happy to recommend party wall Surveyors.
Once all the preliminary and legal work is done, we setup a start date. However prior to that actual start, we set up a pre-commencement meeting. This meeting is fundamental to the success of the whole project. On site commencement, there should be no surprises, as all would have been detailed with at the pre-commencement meeting. We secure the site and make it safe before any construction work. 
Construction Process
Week 1Erect independent hoarding and access area to the front of property
Create initial external opening (where possible) to the basement area and provide temporary weather- proofing and secure.
Provide temporary supports where necessary.
Supply external washroom facilities.
Set up temporary electrics and water to basement area.
Week 2-8Commence excavation and underpinning in the predetermined sequence around the property perimeter. Install any below slab concrete padstones.
Week 9-11Once all underpinning is completed, excavate the bulk of the soil & dispose of accordingly.
Week 12-13Cut into existing brickwork and prepare to receive structural steel bearing spreader plates/concrete padstones..
Install heavy duty steel beams ( RSJs ) and universal beams ( UB ) coated with intumescent coating to provide a minimum of 30 minute fire resistance.
Week 14Create new reinforced basement floor slab, incorporating Sump and drainage system
Week 15-17Supply and fix a cavity drain waterproofing system, inclusive of base drain to slab, sump and pump for discharge. Submersible pumps with back-up alarm, insulation and screed topping over membrane.
Week 18-22The construction and the formation of external light wells to front & rear of property where appropriate, drainage and new windows to match existing windows above and metal railings around light well opening, or grid over. A cat ladder to be installed in light well as a secondary means of escape, as necessary.
Metal stud dry line around the external wall perimeter, cavity to be filled with quilted insulation. Internal partitions are formed with the use of metal stud dry lining system or wooden stud partitioning (whichever is more suitable) filled with quilted insulation. New suspended ceilings to be constructed below existing floor joists, insulated with quilted insulation, finished with half hour fire rated plaster boarded and skimmed plaster finished on exposed side to create ceilings. All first and second fix electrics and plumbing.
Metal stud dry line around the external wall perimeter, cavity to be filled with quilted insulation. Internal partitions are formed with the use of metal stud dry lining system or wooden stud partitioning (whichever is more suitable) filled with quilted insulation. New suspended ceilings to be constructed below existing floor joists, insulated with quilted insulation, finished with half hour fire rated plaster boarded and skimmed plaster finished on exposed side to create ceilings. All first and second fix electrics and plumbing.
Week 23-25All existing doorways are temporarily sealed. Install new stairwell, closed tread softwood string staircase to provide access to converted area. Complete all second fixing: to include:-Electrics, plumbing, skirting, doors and architraves.
Week 26Arrange final inspection with the Building Control Dept to have the works approved.
Clear site and hand job over.
Completed Basements
Please note: The dates and indications of the duration of the works are approximate. Some jobs may take longer, others may be quicker.
