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Old 02-19-2016, 09:11 AM
 
831 posts, read 871,768 times
Reputation: 676

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Does anybody know about building codes? Is it state specific, or municipality specific?

I'm looking to sell my house. It's a 2 bedroom, but there's a room in the basement which I think I could turn into a bedroom. It's currently an office. Even though it's a basement, it's mostly above ground (the house is built kind of into a hill). It currently has a full size door that opens onto a patio. It's all cinderblock, but I think I could put a window in for egress and I'm wondering what size I have to make it? The room has heat as well as outlets, etc. Is there anything else I'd need to do in order to make it a 3rd bedroom? (I imagine I could get more for the house if I can advertise it as a 3 bedroom as opposed to a 2 bedroom)

thanks!
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Old 02-19-2016, 09:19 AM
 
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I think with an outside door you would satisfy the egress requirement, but then you need to meet the 9x8 minimal size and then convince someone they want to live down there. Otherwise from an advertising standpoint your probably ok (Pittsburgh doesn't require closets to call something a bedroom right?)
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Old 02-19-2016, 09:21 AM
 
831 posts, read 871,768 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost_In_Translation View Post
I think with an outside door you would satisfy the egress requirement, but then you need to meet the 9x8 minimal size and then convince someone they want to live down there. Otherwise from an advertising standpoint your probably ok (Pittsburgh doesn't require closets to call something a bedroom right?)
Yeah, I wondered about that. There's a bathroom downstairs, but no closet in there.

I wonder if I would turn off more people based on expectations that I would gain by advertising it as 3 bedroom.

Having said that, if I was a teenager and could have one of those ikea standing closet, I think I'd prefer a bedroom down there!
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Old 02-19-2016, 09:24 AM
 
2,277 posts, read 3,939,177 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tclifton View Post
Yeah, I wondered about that. There's a bathroom downstairs, but no closet in there.

I wonder if I would turn off more people based on expectations that I would gain by advertising it as 3 bedroom.

Having said that, if I was a teenager and could have one of those ikea standing closet, I think I'd prefer a bedroom down there!
I agree, as a teenager I'd love to have a basement room. Unfortunately as a teenager my parents weren't enthusiastic about me having a basement room, lol. The bathroom down there helps a lot.
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Old 02-19-2016, 10:25 AM
 
3,589 posts, read 3,347,560 times
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Egress Window Requirements | IRC Code for Fire Safety

Most egress windows are slider windows. Just remember the window opening size is not half the size of the window, the opening size has to be free open space, if you need 20" width you may need a 48" window. There are a few places that sell egress kits instock, I buy mine at wholesale builders supply in Carnegie.

Last thing to consider is when it gets installed you will need to add gravel and a drainage pipe, if your house has an exterior drain you can just dig down to it and fill the hole with gravel. These egress windows can flood a home if not installed correctly.
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Old 02-24-2016, 07:38 AM
 
Location: Pittsburgh
5 posts, read 4,294 times
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If you can market it as a third bedroom it will help you sell faster and for more $$. To be marketed as a third bedroom it would need a window although to satisfy code requirements you need that as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.
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Old 02-24-2016, 08:46 AM
 
831 posts, read 871,768 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MatSimmons View Post
If you can market it as a third bedroom it will help you sell faster and for more $$. To be marketed as a third bedroom it would need a window although to satisfy code requirements you need that as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks...what about a closet? Is that a requirement as well?
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Old 02-24-2016, 03:10 PM
 
3,589 posts, read 3,347,560 times
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Closets are not required under code unless there is a local amendment to the code


Closets are quick and cheap to install it would help you sell it as a bedroom
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Old 02-25-2016, 06:44 AM
 
Location: Pittsburgh
5 posts, read 4,294 times
Reputation: 10
Correct, closet is not needed per code but would make it more marketable as an actual third bedroom
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