Bathroom Building Permit for existing remodel?

Not sure if this is the correct sub forum. My parents built a full bathroom in their basement decades ago but never got a permit. Is it possible to get a permit for an existing remodel? Being they didn't get a permit the additional full bathroom won't on real estate records which hurts the value of the home.I'm trying to help them fix some issues in their home and this is one im most concerned about it. Thank you in advance for any help.

 

I would start by researching the penalties in your town for building without a permit. I would also ask the building inspector what you can do to fix the problem.

 

Even finished basements often can not be counted in a home's gross living area. So, even with a permit the bathroom might not count (much) when going to sell the house. Certainly it will count for the new owners but it might not be listed. What you think of as a 2'000 square foot house with three baths might be listed as 1'200 square feet with two baths... with a note that the basement is fully finished and has an additional bathroom.

Then the problem of gaining a permit. In order to provide a permit the inspections department will need to verify that it complies with the building code. The first gotcha is that they will likely inspect it according to current codes which are likely different than when the bathroom was built. The second gotcha is how does the inspections dept verify that the bath meets code? Will you cut open the floor so they can inspect the piping?

 

Thank you for all for taking the time to reply! Some very good information. Dane, you make valid points here that got me thinking. Being the bathroom is done that cant inspect the areas that they would need to cause its already finished. Like you said, you'd have to destroy some of it in order to see if it was done to code and the codes are different from 25 years ago. Guess it wouldn't be a good idea. I will however look up my states codes out of curiosity.

Something you mentioned had me thinking of an idea I had a few months back. Their home is around 1900sqft which doesn't include in the basement . I was looking at home values in my parents neighborhood. There are a handful of homes on the street that have a walkout basement which adds on average 900sqft more at 2800sqft. Those homes are also $100k more because of the added square feet of the basement. Those same homes are also not as nice or lack an extra garage, but the values of them are so much higher due to the walkout basement.

From my understanding in my state, basement square footage can't be added if the basement isn't a walkout. My idea was, if my parents spent the $15-20k to add a door & stairs to make it a walkout, would that square footage then be added? You spend say $20k to make around 70k more. Those homes foundation with the walkout are above ground, while my parents are underground. That might pose an issue with my idea but I have seen my fair share of construction over the years. I mapped out where the walkout could be done, meaning I "think" it can be done. Just not sure about codes. Heck it might even cost more that I what I think does.

 

Before spending a significant amount of money remodeling the basement it would be good idea to talk with a real estate agent and get their take on it. When there is no need for the added sq footage it doesn't make sense to go thru the effort/expense of adding it if it doesn't add significant value.

 

"Those homes foundation with the walkout are above ground, while my parents are underground"

Sorry but the above makes me think that the other houses would be classed as 2 story due to an above ground entry.

As marksr said talk to a real estate agent !!!!!

 

I think your over thinking this.

In our area when a house is sold the square footage is defined by the primary living area and then noted if there is additional finished space (walkout or non-walkout does not make a difference).

There really is no "adding" of basement square footage.

Same for "bonus" rooms above garage, they are not typ part of the house square footage but noted as additional square footage.

What you have to do is decide if the added cost of finishing these areas will be a profit or loss to the final sale. Basements are typ in the 70-75% return!

 

Thanks for all the replies people! I have a lot of real estate friends. I'll ask next time I see them. In our area as I mentioned a basements sqft isn't added unless there is a walkout. The home across the street is the same exact style as my parents home but $100k just because of that walkout. My parents basement is half finished, with a full bath and room (no window)

My previous home had a walkout but the foundation was underground, same situation. My mind is always thinking of ways to make money. It was just an idea that came to mind when seeing the significant price increase on home with walkout basements. There is a home on the same street that is $90k more for the same reason. That home has one less garage, old windows/siding, no screen in porch, ect. If I find out I will post back here on my findings.