Self-builder
Frequently Asked Questions

Self-builder
Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We’ve compiled some of the most common questions that self-builders ask about our services. If you have a query not covered below, please email us, or phone on 01932 344454.

First things first: When requesting an initial quote we require a floor plan of your basement, a floor plan of the ground floor, the storey height and the details of the super structure, will your home be a Timber Frame construction or a Traditional Build. If you have any other documents or details, please let us know so we can prepare the most comprehensive quote for you.

The Delivery Phase: We will need the Interpretive Soil Investigation; Working Drawings, Load Bearing Plan, Drainage Plan and Electrical Plan. With this information, we will complete our production drawings and static calculations. We then deliver a package for Building Control, which includes all information to obtain the building control sign-off.

No, our basement system does not allow this, but we can add an extension next to your house.

You can send us their contact details and we will discuss your project with them.

Yes, we work all over England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the British Isles.

There are numerous benefits to a prefabricated basement.

Here are our top 5:

  1. For a low additional cost to the total costs of building a house, a basement can be created as a comfortable and vibrant living space, which will add value to a property.
  2. Prefabricated basements come with a fixed contract price.
  3. Basements are prefabricated (pre-made) under controlled conditions with pinpoint accuracy.
  4. Prefabricated basements come with guaranteed completion dates.
  5. Prefabricated basements benefit from a short onsite construction time.

There is no exact average price for a basement as each basement is bespoke, however, if you work with £1,200 per m2 footprint this will give you a price to work with.

Yes, a basement is an engineered construction therefore you will need planning permission.

The construction of a prefabricated basement usually takes between 3 and 5 weeks, depending on the particular development and size of the chosen basement.

We work very closely with your chosen house build company to deliver a smooth transition from the basement, which is the foundation for your chosen house construction.

Step 1: Create working drawings and structural calculations.
Step 2: Individual wall and ceiling panels are prefabricated in the factory.
Step 3: All required openings for windows, doors, stairs or service supplies are installed.
Step 4: The prefabricated basement wall and ceiling panels are transported to the construction site.
Step 5: The various components are set in place using cranes on the prepared foundation.
Step 6: The wall and ceiling panels are fixed and filled with concrete.
Step 7: Tanking and external insulation is installed.

The basement is now ready for the ground worker to back-fill.

Generally said yes. Glatthaar basements are watertight and thus there is no water ingress, however the basement will need additional measures to anchor the basement in place. At our Germany HQ we have one of our basements floating in a pond, it has been floating for the last 10 years and is still totally dry.

Prefabricated basements are created using the same principle as prefabricated houses: the individual elements are prefabricated (pre-made) in a factory environment, delivered to your plot and assembled by our team of trained professionals, with precision and quality. A huge advantage is that you can create a basement that is completely unique and designed to meet your exact needs.

Every one of our basements are individually tailored to meet your wishes. The industrial production does not limit our ability to build bespoke products. Instead, it ensures your specific requirements are precisely manufactured to your specifications and ready to be installed on site.

GLATTHAAR KELLER PRODUCT QUICK LINKS

Click on the icons below to find out more about how Glatthaar Keller products can help when planning your self-build home