We live in a four bed semi which already has 3 chambers in the cellar. Has anybody had a full or partial conversion done to make these rooms habitable? The last quote I got from TRACE was about £40k 2 years ago, which put me off!!!
I know it needs tanking out but what are my options?

I dont know much but i do know that even when tanked they can be damp and 'orrible!

Anyone else in your road or area had it done?

there's the key.

you need to (if possible) find out who's had it done in your street. then you can have a look at the build quality and also perhaps end up with a decent recommendation for a trustworthy builder.

one more thing - have you got a gimp? if not, i can get you one

I just keep mine under the floor boards

cruelty to gimps surely

but then again, that's the point isn't it?

do you need planning permission for this (since it possibly doesn't affect the external look of the property)?
Do you have the option of getting planning permission for an above-ground extension instead as they are generally much cheaper than digging out rooms under the house.
I saw some reports recently saying they're becoming v popular in swanky parts of london where space is an issue but money is less so, and can cost in the region of £200k depending on the work needed, but then can add double that to the value of the house. Helpful if your house is already worth £1M I guess, but otherwise a pipedream for most ppl.

"bring out the gimp"
"he's sleeping"
"Well I guess you'd better wake him up then!"
.......................................................................................................

Our house is the only one of its kind but the road leading to us has a few conversions. Should also add the house is 'raised' which means the cellars do have some natural light from ground level windows - I think this helps?

Chasing quotes with local builders, will post back with more info.

indeed, sounds like a massive undertaking but then again it would depend on the size and condition of the cellar and also how far you'd want to convert it, i.e. full blown en-suite or just basic. so many factors to consider - definitely need to talk to people who've had it done before, also i guess that it's a specialist skill in that perhaps not all builders would be qualified to take it on.

Gimp

1. The GNU Image Manipulation Program
2. man slave especially aroused by bondage

1. Dude, did you make that website logo with GIMP?
2. The gimp has a hairy chest, which makes some bondage techniques difficult.

I presume we are looking at definition number two in this instance...

gnus have an image manipulation program?

Very difficult to paddle one of those.