Dig Deep for Home Improvement Month

April is Home Improvement Month and a leading trade body is urging people to think about the possibilities of a basement conversion this Spring.

Despite the economic downturn the Property Care Association (PCA) - the trade body representing professionals in the structural waterproofing industry - has seen enquiries about basement living continue to rise.

Now the PCA has launched a new free online resource centre to highlight the space that a basement conversion can free-up.

What Lies Beneath? brings together a wealth of information within one easy-to-navigate web page, to show what a basement conversion involves.

www.property-care.org/basementconversions pulls together a wealth of information online, including in-depth technical background data, case studies, a short video and images.

It also highlights the importance of getting expert help to stop water levels taking their toll on such structures.

Yasmin Chopin, executive director of the Property Care Association said: “Homeowners who are reluctant to move house in the current economic climate could look to a basement conversion as a superb way of creating more living space.

“The number of basement conversions, both the creation of new basements and the conversion of existing cellar into dry useable rooms, has increased dramatically - we'd estimate by 100 percent in the last three years alone. That figure might be even higher.

“This is because of the tried and tested technologies now available to create basement conversions, the demands on land space in the UK and the fact that the space created is flexible and very usable.

“Whatever the project, it has been shown time and time again that the creation of a new basement is a rewarding and cost effective investment.

“Such work can create flexible space suitable for a wide variety of uses, which will ultimately add value to a property in the long term.”

“The expertise of PCA members means they can use the latest innovative techniques to make basements bright and airy, with the days of dark, damp conditions confined to history.

By choosing a PCA member to undertake basement works a developer or homeowner can feel secure in the knowledge that members must satisfy strict criteria for the employment of qualified staff.

Regular inspections, which include checks on the contractor’s customer service record, ensure high standards are maintained. 

All PCA members are insured and committed to honour their guarantees and additional long-term guarantee protection insurance is available through GPI, which is regulated by the FSA.

Furthermore, the Association is a member of TrustMark, the scheme supported by Government, to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

To find a PCA member across the UK homeowners and developers can log on to the Property Care Association’s web site on www.property-care.org and select the ‘Find a Member’ option.

As well as the structural waterproofing industry, the Property Care Association, formerly the BWPDA, represents the UK’s wood preservation, damp-proofing, flood remediation and structural repair sectors.

Home Improvement Month was first developed by the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) in the 1970s, to inspire people to get to work on their homes in the Spring.

Since then, the date has become increasingly popular, although the NHIC now promotes the benefits of undertaking home improvements throughout the year.