Hey guys,

I've decided to convert my rental house into a two suite rental unit. This can be accompliseh fairly easily by adding two interior doors, one in the basement hallway just past the laundry room, and one at the back steps of the kitchen upstairs. I have a rough idea of how to proceed but I do have a few questions and I'll probably have more. I'll post some pictures of the two areas tomorrow, but here's my initial questions. First, the basement hallway measures 40" in width, and 8ft high ceilings. I know where I'm going to put the door and I will frame in studs on either side, cutting open each side of the wall to put studs in. Since it's a bigger opening I'm assuming I'll have to build short stubby walls out into the hallway on each side to bring the size in for a reasonable door size (ie 36" door). What about tying into the ceiling though? Currently the ceiling is stipled. Will I have to cut out a strip of drywall the width of a 2x4 or would you just butt the 2x4 against the ceiling, drywall up to the ceiling and re-stiple the area where mud was required? This same question basically applies to the upstairs door also, as the opening at the top of the stairs to the kitchen is 42" wide. I believe I'll have to frame out the wall (into the kitchen) a bit more, because the inside wall stops at the top of the stairs, and putting a door here means it would be hanging off the tops step. I know, it may be difficult to picture. I've attached a rudimentary drawing of the area and I hope this helps. Thanks in advance for any advice!


http://www.kulkarnicorp.com/images/layout.jpg

 

What you have planned as far as extending the kitchen wall a bit to allow for a proper return is good. As far as placing the top plate on the sheetrock, in proper framing techniques, you would cut the sheetrock and place the header on the other framing members. In your instance there is probably only a 2x4 on one edge of the area where you will be attaching the header, so I would just position the 2x4 top plate against the sheetrock and use the existing framing for a nailing point. It will not be load bearing and you will have king studs and jack studs installed for the stub wall holding it all together, so I think you will be fine.

 

1. Run, don't walk, to the Building Department (sketched proposal in hand).
2. Pose the same scenario to your insurance company.

As Chandler said, framing wise, you have the right general idea.

 

thanks will do. I was planning on getting a permit for the work. Is there anything I should be aware of before doing so? Is there a reason you suggest running instead of walking?

 

I was concerned at first due to problems with ingress an egress, but you seem to have a external door on the "apartment" side, so that should help. Insurance wise, you now, will have a tenant situation, and insurance rules are different when you make it like that. Building code wise, same thing. It is not so much the construction itself, it is the final product.

 

aahhh I see. Well this house is stricly a rental property and insured as such. I don't live there myself. There is an eternal door to the building, and then two separate doors into each unit (or there will be). The communal area is the back steps down to the laundry room. Looking forward to completing the project!

 

You asked why run, instead of walk? Channeler pointed out ingress and egress, and that actual construction is a nominal issue.

This flys in one of two ways. One of them is in your face.

Converting a single family dwelling ("home" - by you're own admission) into a duplex (duplex is used loosely, since the exact nature of conversion is unknown): change of use, occupancy, and zoning are the main issues. Many other exist (minimum square footage, fire seperation between units, off street parking... on and on). Your plan should address all, and pass scrutiny of an inspector or plan examiner.

What you really have: an idea of how to divide a space into two spaces with a similar use in each, and the desire to move forward with all due speed. (Scant investment - huge returns - or at least you think so). (Full scale analysis - I really don't think so) Since you're willing to implement action based on this information you would benefit from running to the building department. If it flys, great. If not, no harm; no foul.

 

the_dude,

What 2000 is telling you is that your are proposing changing the OCCUPANCY of the structure. You may or may not be allowed to do that. THAT is up to your local Planning Dept. There are FAR too many variables involved for you to get any sort of an answer in a forum like this. It could be simple, or it could be a can of worms, or it could be something that you just flat can't do.

Therefore, since you can't get ANY of the right answers here, I'm closing the thread.