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Further basement work...

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myntik1:
unfortunately building codes are the reason I'm not totally hiring the job out.  I've debated several times about taking out a loan to cover my basement's simple remodel (realistically under 8k).  But since I have a 60 year old house with crazy duct work. I think an inspector might have an issue with 7 foot ceilings and my duct work that's only 5'9 in certain places. I hit my head all of the time and I'm only 5'11.  You would figure by now i know where the low spots are  So I figured I would do this w/o building permits.  I know it might be a hassle when I go to sell the house, but I'll have permits for the electrical and it'll be sold as a partially finished basement. W/o being able to make the money back on the back end it's not really worth tossing 10+ thousand down there. So that's why I'm trying to keep the costs low.

shardian:

--- Quote from: billf on January 03, 2008, 02:48:13 pm ---
--- Quote from: shardian on January 03, 2008, 02:23:38 pm ---I can do whatever the hell I want all on my own if I feel qualified. As to homeowners insurance, I don't think there is anything in there that specifically states that I can't personally do the work. I'll double check for sure now that I know what I am looking for. It doesn't really matter though since building permits aren't legally required, and everything is being done according to code.

--- End quote ---

Building permits aren't legally required???  Whoa, note to self - do not move to WV!  Definitely don't want to move into a house wired/built/plumbed by Goober without any checks by appropriately knowledgeable people.

Around here you can generally do most any work yourself, provided you pull the appropriate permits (professionals must also), then get the work inspected by the city inspector (which is part of the permit process).

--- End quote ---

We don't have a city inspector. We have a county planning commission. They regulate new construction and zoning. Professionals are subject to their own professional codes. Now don't go thinking that all of WV is like my county. I happen to live in a subdivision (which was fully regulated and subject to subdivision building permits, codes, and regulations when it was built), in an unincorporated area. Just a mile away is a fully incorporated town that subjects everyone to building permits and the like. I grew up in a town, which was also subject to building permits.

Take a scenic drive thru some backroads in WV some time. You will be astounded at some of the "buildings" that pass as houses. Did you know that hubcaps can be considered window shutters, and two sheets of plastic is a "WV double paned window? ;D

That is why when you buy a house, you ALWAYS get a thorough home inspection done, and possibly also structural inspections, pest/insect inspections, etc. If a problem is found, you can follow up with a more specialized inspection. You do this stuff with any house you might buy, whether it is in an area like Chad's or in an area like mine.

There really is nothing to worry about if you take the necessary precatutions.

ChadTower:

--- Quote from: myntik1 on January 03, 2008, 02:55:41 pm --- I know it might be a hassle when I go to sell the house, but I'll have permits for the electrical and it'll be sold as a partially finished basement. W/o being able to make the money back on the back end it's not really worth tossing 10+ thousand down there. So that's why I'm trying to keep the costs low.

--- End quote ---

It shouldn't be a problem except that you cannot count it as living space and it doesn't add to the square footage.  So long as everything is done to code and properly inspected it should be okay.  You're right that you won't be able to add much to the house price for this stuff, but unless the housing market changes, that's the least of your issues if you sell.

My house was built in 1954 but doesn't have any oddness.  Very well built and maintained over the years.  We bought it from the original owner not too long ago.

myntik1:
Even with the housing market on the decline my house has probably increased in value in the six months i've been there.  If it hasn't then i need to shoot myself. I love this place but it was built in 1949 and except for the siding and gas furnace it probably was all original.  We had to replace all of the bathroom fixtures, all of the appliances, yanked all of the vintage lights, we had the floors fixed and finished, upgraded the 50 amp fuse situation, removed the dead tree from the backyard and regraded the slope of the backyard.  right now my pockets are on E.

Ed_McCarron:

--- Quote from: ChadTower on January 03, 2008, 03:04:18 pm ---It shouldn't be a problem except that you cannot count it as living space and it doesn't add to the square footage.

My house was built in 1954 but doesn't have any oddness. 

--- End quote ---

My house was built in the 20s.  Theres ways around everything.  When we wanted to rent out the upstairs and include the finished attic (third floor) as a bedroom, we were told that since there was no fire escape, we couldn't rent it as a bedroom.

We listed it as two bedrooms with a third floor sitting room, and called the old sitting room (second floor) a bedroom.

The inspector told me that once the tenants moved in,he didn't care where they were.  If they chose to sleep in the sitting room and got crisped, that is their problem, not mine.

Go figure.

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