Bedroom addition

I will be adding a bedroom from my covered patio and would like any infor regarding the fist steps in doing this such as the city codes,how much I can do my self. I have a lot of people who are very experienced in framing,sheet rock,general contacting.
any help would be appreciated very much
thanks

 

The first step is to draw up specific plans or have someone do this for you. Then, you take the plans to the local Building Codes office for approval and permits and to schedule inspections. Building Codes tend to vary from area to area. Professional architectural drawings are a good investment and can guide you through the project. A local architect should be familiar with your area's codes.

 

Do you know where i would get architect forms? Can I get a building permit without a licensed contractor? thanks

 

i dont know what you mean by forms. you get drawings from an architect, but this is NOT required. similarly, a contractor is not required either. you can get a permit yourself. also your wording is confusing, i am not sure if you are simply converting a covered patio to a bedroom or adding a bedroom connected to the patio. In the first case, you wont likely need a permit because that would be mostly finish work. um, we cant tell you how much you can do yourself, ya know? thats something you would know. but there is no law against doing it all yourself so have at it if you know how.

 

cs64431,

Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the Architecture Forum.

The place to start is at your local bldg. dept. You don't have to have an architect draw the plans, and you probably don't even need a contrator involved. It comes down to what you think that you are comfortable doing, and doing it to code.

Codes vary GREATLY from one jurisdiction to the next. When OhioDraft says that converting a covered patio to a bedroom probably wouldn't require a permit, that MAY be true where he is. But in CA, you better BELIEVE it would need a permit! Being a CA builder, I can't imagine ANY jurisdiction saying otherwise. But, after the things I have seen and heard in this forum, I think that there's a good possibility that OhioDraft may be telling you true, based on where he's at.

The point is, don't take ANY of our words for it -- go check with the bldg. dept. where the project is going to occur, and go with what THEY tell you!!

Once you get the ground work laid and need specific answers, come see us.

 

If you are indeed wanting to turn a covered patio into a bedroom, there may be a lot more involved than what you are willing to take on. Most patios are just a poured slab. If you intend to wall it in and make it living space it will need footers.

 

md2lgyk,

I've read and reread this post from cs64431 about a dozen times, and I'm still not clear what he (or she) has in mind.

You're right -- converting a covered patio to habitable space won't fly. Like you said, the slab was poured as flat work -- no footing -- and the room would absolutely have to have a footing. If that's what cs64431 is doing, then the solution is to rip out the slab and start with bare dirt. But, is he (or she) talking about leaving the patio alone and adding a free-standing room? I doubt it, but it IS a possiblity. We just don't know.