building a basement apartment
#1
03-20-02, 07:04 AM
building a basement apartment
We are just about to start our basement renovation - our goal is to have a rentable, self-contained apartment when we are done. My first question is - where is the best place to begin.
#2
03-21-02, 08:05 PM
The BEST place to begin is at you local bldg. dept. There are going to be more issues tha n you ever thought possible involved. Plumbing is one, egress is another. Then you will have to sheetrock the ceilings throughout with 5/8" type "X" 'rock" to create a fire break between the basement and the floor above. And have I mentioned electrical service, smoke detectors, or if your local codes even allow you to do this?? Better check first. It would not make you a happy camper to to find out it ain't legal AFTER you spent $50,000 to do the conversion!!
#3
03-22-02, 03:57 AM
It may be against zoning!!!
DO check all the legal avenues first. It may well be against zoning laws and/or neighborhood covenents. Example: my neighbors built a mother-in-law suite over their garage. They wanted a separate outside entrance but it was against both zoning and covenents. The separate entrance would make their house a multi-family dwelling. Thats a no-no in an area zoned for single family dwellings.
