I need an architect

[meschaefer]

I need an architect. I want to completely gut my basement, re-divide it and basically put in an apartment. I don?t want to use it as an apartment but thought that it would be a good selling point when I get rid of the property.

Anyway I need plans drawn up, so that I can shop them around to some general contractors. It is If you are one or know one, let me know

 

[nsiegel5]

Ummm not sure what you mean by completely gut ur basement but there isnt much too it and dont see why you would want to spend the money on an architect. That is unless you want to add new entrances plumbing and living spaces that were not previously there and will have to file with the city. A legal basement apartment must have a direct means of egress in and out for fire safety purposes. Anyways an architect is gonna expect a nice fee to do this for you. There are a bazillion guys that can do it and will gladly take your money, search for smaller firms maybe a single person looking for side work. Ill ask around and see if any of the guys I know do anything this small but Im not sure. Good luck

 

[meschaefer]

That is unless you want to add new entrances plumbing and living spaces that were not previously there and will have to file with the city.

You got it.

 

[jhale]

I know a bunch of architects, I'll refer some to you tomorrow.

 

[tosiek]

I know a few small time architects that are good at what they do and are local in the area (aside from whatever Jhale pulls up). I'll see what I can pull off from my Dad (who's been working with them closer than i have lately) before he hits his flight tommorrow morning.

How intensive is the need to get an architect? Most local contractors have people that can get plans drawn up without the need to go through an architect then file the paperwork through architects for any changes and stuff that needs to go through the dept of buildings. Then again most low end contractors are morons so discard that Just make sure you find one that cares about his work and isn't there to screw you in the rear.

 

[House of Laughter]

Matt,

In addition to the eagres. make sure the ceiling heights are able to conform to the heights required by local building code so you CAN include it in the SF of the building - if not, then the space becomes "finished storage" and the added value (perception of the buyer) is relative to the $$ spent. Not sure if you remember my old set up, but our basement was considered finished storage and didn't add to the sale price of our home (well, didn't add at least the amount invested) but it did get our house sold before another - and in this market that is key - our house sold in 3 months.

Good luck with the renovation and if you want another set of eyes (for the tank set up) let me know as a few of us have done this project before.

Good luck,

House

 

[fritz]

I wouldn't bother unless your house is a one family dwelling. If it's a two or more this would be a very bad idea. Loan guidelines have changed drastically in the last month or two and you'll be hard pressed to find a qualified buyer.

Here in Brooklyn people will usually build up rather than down due to the before mentioned ceiling height issue as well as the cost involved. Often knocking out an attic can be cheaper than dealing with turning a basement into dry living space.

In today's market "adding value" is gone. You're 100% right in thinking "what will make someone buy my house and not one of the three down the block." Unless the basement is a common feature I'd leave it alone and spend that money elsewhere. It's far easier to convince someone how easy it is to convert a basement than to actually do it. Offer a seller's concession of a few percent so that THEY can do the basement modification.

 

[meschaefer]

The basement modification is being done as I need the space. I thought about going through a contractor, and may still go that route, but I have a somewhat low opinion of contractors generally after doing all the other renovations in my house.

It is fairly standard in my neighborhood to have the basement converted into an aparmtent. The house is sold as a "finished basement", but everyone knows what its their for. I figured that if I was able to get the C of O for it, it would make it easier to sell my place in the long run. Maybe I need to rethink it.

It is a fairly involved renovation. There is a "kitchen" there, but everything is falling apart, and looks as if the last time someone lived there was in the 50's. I also want to break into my 2 garages, to add a bedroom. The other garage will be a work shop.

Most importantly, this is a reef site, is that the basement will become the home of my new tank. There is a utility room down there now, that needs to be extended a little bit so that I can fit a nice size tank, and room for all of the extras that go along with it.

I am thinking 180 gallon, but havn't made any decesions yet.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Matt,

I will rent your basement after you put in all the reef stuff(live stock must be included):spin: there HAHAHAHA

 

[meschaefer]

Matt,

I will rent your basement after you put in all the reef stuff(live stock must be included):spin: there HAHAHAHA

You willing to donate the tank?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

You willing to donate the tank?

Cost of the tank is so little comparing to the live stock like 10 acan, 20 fire and ice, 30 armour of god, a gem tang .......

Actually the rocks alone would cost about the tank too. Looks like it's a wing wing situtation for me.

 

[DEEPWATER]

Matt

I don thtink you want to file this with the city .If you have a one family house and redoing the basement ,then do what you have to do and no need for any paper to be filed with the city .

Just make sure you get good contractor and good plumber

Good luck

Ronen

 

[scarf_ace1981]

matt

you may want to contact rich(rstimeout) i know he just redid his basement. maybe he can help you out

 

[fritz]

If you're going to do this with the city (the right and safe way) it is an extensive process and an expensive one. You 100% will need some capable and qualified contractors in addition to an architect.

If you go the no permits route you run the risk of getting slapped with a few ECBs. I just closed a file where the person had a $12,000.00 ECB for "Use contrary to CO" and another $2,500 for illegal construction.

What used to happen was you would get hit with two ECBs, both for $2,500.00 The first was for illegal construction, the second for "partitions erected in basement & kitchen." Well the game of turn an X family home into an X+2 family home ran rampant in the last ten years at the expense of the local school districts, hospitals and so on. These municipal entities are given money based on the local population when everyone adds another family to their home those numbers get thrown out of whack. More importantly the city gets the shaft on taxes.

What I've seen lately is the normal double $2,500 ECB plus a DAILY FINE until such time as it is changed back.

My point is, if you plan on not using a contractor you better hide this work real well because that's how people get caught.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Matt,

Ask the archi to pull the diagram out from DOB first and see if you have a kitchen in the files. If so, remodelling your basement is not too hard to get approved, provided that youa re not trying to apply for a multiple dwellings. If it does not, even if you do nothing right now, you still have a problem if someone playing NOT NICE with you.


That's why I never fill out any profile on websites because it's too easy for someone to play "NOT NICE" with anyone even though the violation does not originate from you.