Process to add kitchen to basement? (house, inspector, closing)

[iamloco724]

I'm now under contract and awaiting closing on a home, it has a finished basement with a bathroom I would like to add a kitchen so my father in law and have his own private space. The basement has a separate entrance it also has 2 full size windows and one smaller one.

What's the process like to obtain permits to get this done the right way?

[charmed hour]

Originally Posted by iamloco724

I'm now under contract and awaiting closing on a home, it has a finished basement with a bathroom I would like to add a kitchen so my father in law and have his own private space. The basement has a separate entrance it also has 2 full size windows and one smaller one.

What's the process like to obtain permits to get this done the right way?

First and foremost, you need to be clear that you have a basement and not a cellar. (Cellars can legally not be used for eating, living, sleeping.) From there, look at the Certificate of Occupancy to tell you in the basement is deemed habitable. You want to make sure that you have 2 methods of egress. If you require building plans and permits you'll need to hire a State licensed professional engineer (P.E.) or registered architect (R.A).

[iamloco724]

Originally Posted by charmed hour

First and foremost, you need to be clear that you have a basement and not a cellar. (Cellars can legally not be used for eating, living, sleeping.) From there, look at the Certificate of Occupancy to tell you in the basement is deemed habitable. You want to make sure that you have 2 methods of egress. If you require building plans and permits you'll need to hire a State licensed professional engineer (P.E.) or registered architect (R.A).

It's a basement on street level.. We won't have a certificate of occupancy due to it being a house built prior to 1938

[charmed hour]

Originally Posted by iamloco724

It's a basement on street level.. We won't have a certificate of occupancy due to it being a house built prior to 1938

They weren’t required but double check with DOB. We thought our house in the Bronx didn’t have one as it was built in 1911. It was moved across the street in the 50s and one was issued then. The house was in the family the entire time and no one was aware a COO was issued. Some alterations also require one be issued at that time If there isn’t and now you want to alter you’ll need to secure a Letter of No Objection

[iamloco724]

Originally Posted by charmed hour

They weren’t required but double check with DOB. We thought our house in the Bronx didn’t have one as it was built in 1911. It was moved across the street in the 50s and one was issued then. The house was in the family the entire time and no one was aware a COO was issued. Some alterations also require one be issued at that time If there isn’t and now you want to alter you’ll need to secure a Letter of No Objection

Already confirmed with DOB, I'll look into the rest

[charmed hour]

Originally Posted by iamloco724

Already confirmed with DOB, I'll look into the rest

My grandfather had a hell of time getting permits for his basement kitchen. He had to literally raise the ceiling 7 inches to meet the 7 foot requirement. Iirc he said the cost for the permit, plans and engineer was over 6k. He did the work himself and then an inspector came thru before everything was fully signed off on.