Basement Construction in Constable Country

Situated in a semirural location close to transport links, Little Baddow represented an opportunity to create a self-build with basement.

John, the client, explains their journey and how they arrived at the decision to include a Glatthaar basement in the project.

“We purchased the original house in 2005 and we lived there until 2016.  As it was old and falling apart, we decided to do something. Because the land dropped at the back, a basement would suit our plot. Having thought a little more we decided to demolish the old house and go for a new build.

The first architect we approached designed a house which was a three-floor box design. The kitchen and the bathroom were in the basement, living room on the ground floor and bedrooms on the first floor. We did not think this design worked so we carried on looking.

The second architect designed the house we wanted and in 2017 we submitted our planning application.  Once it was approved, I started researching basement companies, which is how I found Glatthaar.

They were the only company who could provide a fixed price and were able to show me exactly how the design would work and how it was going to look.

With Glatthaar on board we started to change the basement layout. I wanted to extend the basement, as this created a stepped design with two terraces. One of the things I did not like about the original designs was the box shape. Now we could access gardens from the ground floor living area and the basement, and have a terrace above the basement extension. Glatthaar suggested having a retaining wall, otherwise we would have water issues.  The idea for the lower courtyard with the steps going onto the garden came from Glatthaar. They had quite a lot of input, even with the walls inside the basement. I suggested open plan, but they said they were needed for stability and it works out so much better. They have a lot of knowledge and experience building basements, which really helps.

The lowered courtyard worked well, because it makes the house. Glatthaar did everything – they provided the retaining walls, the steps to the garden and the stairs into the basement.

In 2019 we found a house around the corner to move into and our house was knocked down just before Christmas. Then Covid started so it was just bare land. In June Glatthaar said they would be able to start in September. We started excavating, but unfortunately in June and July there was heavy rain and the walls kept collapsing so we had to pump out water, it was a nightmare. Once we did the concrete blinding things got a lot easier.

We made the drive wider and cut some trees down for transporter access. It worked really well, and there were no problems with the neighbours.  It was amazing to see the construction process, everything happened quickly.

Glatthaar started in September, finishing the basement just before Christmas. We then had to do the piling and they came back to finish off the slabs, which included a double garage attached to the side of the house. By the end of Jan 2021 everything was completed. I arranged different trades to come in to start building the house which ended up taking less than a year.

What did I want in the basement? Because Rita, my wife, is an exercise enthusiast we put in a gym.  My idea was to include a wine area and a cinema room. We included the seating area in the back because you can view and access the back garden through the lower patio. We also added a bathroom with shower and extra storage space.

The good thing about the basement is that there are byfolding doors going onto the patio, and the gym has large windows making it bright and light. When you go down the stairs and into the basement most people say wow, because it is not what they were expecting. Opposite the Gym is the wine room. To keep it light I decided to use glass walls and doors, otherwise it would not have any natural light, I think it works very well. We put Air conditioning into the Gym to keep it cool, but you do not really need it since the air ambience is always comfortable, even with extreme temperatures.

I would say to anybody who is going to build a basement, visit someone who has already been through the process. I did not understand it and it is better to know what is needed prior to construction, otherwise it can be quite daunting to get everything right and to understand what you are doing. You can save time and money by knowing beforehand.

I would recommend including a basement. You go down there, and it is a very relaxing space. We have been here 3 or 4 months and find the house so very comfortable, and 10 times better than our previous house.”