[lampry]

Hello all,

I'm not sure if this is the best forum to post, but I expect you all are a knowledgeable bunch that may be able to help. Here goes:

My family and I just moved in to an older home (built 1930s). We recently updated the electrical system (by "we" I mean we hired professionals!), and are eyeing a few other updates. Namely, we'd like to polish up the basement to make it a safe and clean place for the kids to play, good for storage, etc. Not necessarily living space... but usable space.

Generally speaking, the basement is in okay shape. Cement floors. No signs for mold or moisture. Lots of overhead lighting thanks to the new electrical work. A functioning toilet, and non-functioning shower. A brand new egress door to the backyard, and brand new functional window (i.e., opens and closes). The really unattractive parts are unsightly and peeling paint on floors, several of the walls, and ceiling rafters. Also, some of the walls need repair/replacement.

My idea is re-do the perimeter of the basement with fresh drywall (as is, some of the walls are board, some are painted stone/foundation), and cover the exposed rafters with a drop ceiling. A new bathroom would be ideal... but, after consulting with a few contractors, we are running into a problem:

The ceilings are too low... at around 6.5 ft. Everyone we have consulted is refusing to do the work because it won't be "up to code" due to the ceiling height.

I don't know what to do!!! Leave the space in dingy dis-repair because the ceiling is too low?

What are the risks to us as home-owners if we pursue the work without permits/coding?

Alternatively, is there *any chance* I could get a permit for this work? A petition process or something?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions!

*note: digging out cement floor is absolutely not an option. But other bright ideas are welcome!

Best wishes, and have a great day!

L

 

[mikegp]

*note: digging out cement floor is absolutely not an option. But other bright ideas are welcome!

You could always lift the house. :biggrin2:

People work on their homes all the time without permits, inspections, etc. It's illegal, but that doesn't stop many. Do what you want, just make sure it is safe. You don't want to burn the house down or hurt someone.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

When the contractor put in the toilet, the non-functional shower, the window that opens, and the egress door, did they pull a permit? If so, you may be covered to do additional work like drywalling, or at least you may be able to argue that you have a pre-existing non conforming condition, and the drywall may be grandfathered. If they did not pull a permit, you may already be out of compliance with local code, and doing further work without a permit could create additional issues for you. Only your local code enforcement official will have the answers.

 

[lampry]

"When the contractor put in the toilet, the non-functional shower, the window that opens, and the egress door, did they pull a permit? If so, you may be covered to do additional work like drywalling, or at least you may be able to argue that you have a pre-existing non conforming condition, and the drywall may be grandfathered. If they did not pull a permit, you may already be out of compliance with local code, and doing further work without a permit could create additional issues for you. Only your local code enforcement official will have the answers."

Hmmm. The toilet and non-functioning shower predate the previous owners, who lived there for 35 years. The door and window have also always been there, but were just repaired by the previous owners (ie., the door was deteriorated wood, and is now metal; the window had been painted shut; now vinyl that opens). No permit that I'm aware of.

Should I just have a discussion with my "local code enforcement official"? Where does one typically find this person, and could it potentially open a can of worms with an old house?