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Answers (11)
- Ronald Escobar, "Ron Escobar"
- Contributions:305
I can tell you that I am a General Contractor and a Real Estate Broker... everything is possible to do in terms of construction, but it does not mean that it makes economic sense...
Your first step should be to hire an architect to evaluate the situation... it does not have to be a large firm, there are plenty of solo practitioners that are affordable...
email me directly and I can point you to a few that I know.
Best of luck!
Your first step should be to hire an architect to evaluate the situation... it does not have to be a large firm, there are plenty of solo practitioners that are affordable...
email me directly and I can point you to a few that I know.
Best of luck!
- Brock Harris, "brockharris"
- Contributions:235
Dan,
I would advise you not to bother. It's not going to add a lot of value relative to the cost. You can sell it yourself as "unpermitted additions." Let the next guy drop $50K figuring it out. Make it on the next house.
Brock
I would advise you not to bother. It's not going to add a lot of value relative to the cost. You can sell it yourself as "unpermitted additions." Let the next guy drop $50K figuring it out. Make it on the next house.
Brock
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21424
Per UBC, minimum ceiling height for "livable space" is 7'6". If the drywall is at the floor joists, you are not getting additional height, unless "averaging" by boxing around the floor joists gains you something.
And for bedrooms, UBC requires natural light/ventilation and a second exit. Many basements can have windows; but if you can't get one, the space simply won't be a "bedroom". You also at minimum require heating for the space to be counted.
If the ceiling is at the floor joists, and you want more height, I would call a house mover for an estimate. They pick up houses off their foundations all the time. They simply slide steal beams under the house, and use hydrolic jacks. (Of course the house needs to be disconnected from all utilities first and unbolted from the foundation, but the house movers do this routinely). Once off the foundation, you can dig, form and pour a new foundation. When you have the foundation ready, you simply call the house mover back to put the house back down.
If all you want is more livable space, it may be cheaper to build a building addition.
And for bedrooms, UBC requires natural light/ventilation and a second exit. Many basements can have windows; but if you can't get one, the space simply won't be a "bedroom". You also at minimum require heating for the space to be counted.
If the ceiling is at the floor joists, and you want more height, I would call a house mover for an estimate. They pick up houses off their foundations all the time. They simply slide steal beams under the house, and use hydrolic jacks. (Of course the house needs to be disconnected from all utilities first and unbolted from the foundation, but the house movers do this routinely). Once off the foundation, you can dig, form and pour a new foundation. When you have the foundation ready, you simply call the house mover back to put the house back down.
If all you want is more livable space, it may be cheaper to build a building addition.
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4690
It would seem you can make a ceiling higher 2 ways.
1 dig the basement a bit lower to make it deep enough. (jackhammer)
2 raise the house above the basement (while adding height to the foundation) enough to have a legal height.
Hopefully the ideas below remove the need to consider these 2 options.
1 dig the basement a bit lower to make it deep enough. (jackhammer)
2 raise the house above the basement (while adding height to the foundation) enough to have a legal height.
Hopefully the ideas below remove the need to consider these 2 options.
- Sandra Green-Murray, "sgmmgs"
- Contributions:147
Go to the department of building and safety and they can help you.
- Simon Mills, "Mills Realty"
- Contributions:1858
It is so rare to read about a house with a basement on Mar Vista. The basement is most likely permitted, but the current confiuration could pose a challenge. You should inquire with a local contractor who knows the current codes and get an opinion. I would go direct to the city just yet.
- CulverCityRealtor
- Contributions:455
Dear Renae,
Please go to the city building department in your city and speak to one of the engineers. They will inform you of current building codes and how or if you can meet them with such a structure.
Please go to the city building department in your city and speak to one of the engineers. They will inform you of current building codes and how or if you can meet them with such a structure.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25120
Codes vary from place to place. In some cases, you can have a lower than allowed ceiling if you mitigate the smoke danger in case of fire with sprinklers. Other times, you can make the ceiling an open beam to raise the average ceiling height to a grandfathered level.
You best bet is probably calling your local permit/code office and asking anonymously what the options might be. Many times the municipality wants to make sure that the addition is safe so they will try to work with you, but it varies so test the waters before you give them the address and call the inspector in.
You best bet is probably calling your local permit/code office and asking anonymously what the options might be. Many times the municipality wants to make sure that the addition is safe so they will try to work with you, but it varies so test the waters before you give them the address and call the inspector in.
- Nate Allen, "Crane Real Estate"
- Contributions:33
Renae -
Great question. It sounds like you want to do things right and fix the un-permitted work. Personally, before I went to the City Building Department, I would call an Architect or Structural Engineer. It will cost some money to have them come out and review the renovation, but starting with licensed designers that have done many projects in your town could save you lots of time and money in the long-run. They will be able to give you a good idea of the total cost of the project.
Great question. It sounds like you want to do things right and fix the un-permitted work. Personally, before I went to the City Building Department, I would call an Architect or Structural Engineer. It will cost some money to have them come out and review the renovation, but starting with licensed designers that have done many projects in your town could save you lots of time and money in the long-run. They will be able to give you a good idea of the total cost of the project.
- Taria Lewis, "Taria And Earl Team"
- Contributions:135
The local building and saftey inspector can come to the property and tell yyou exactly what it will require to bring the basement to code (or if it is possible). Good luck.
- Metro Indy Expert.
- Contributions:197
Go speak with your towns person in charge of permits and building. I find people are usually very helpful especially if you are trying to make something right.
How to fix, to code, low ceiling in basement so can use legally as a bedroom?
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