100 Yr Old Residence Renovation

[indyarchyguy]

Good morning from Indianapolis...

Yesterday I met with a contractor at a home that is well over 100 years old. The original contractor was booted from the job for getting red-tagged and basically not following the Owner's wishes. Among many code violations, etc. the Owner had asked that the basement be made into a habitable bedroom area with a full bath. The basic issues that need to be addressed include the following:

• Existing floor slab to bottom of floor joist is 6'-8"..so with drywall they will be 6'-7 1/2" or slightly less.
• No room for escape requirement well with ladder (the home abuts the right of way on the one feasible side of the house).
• Main beam transverses the short dimension of the house and that is currently at 5'-9"...but we can deal with that.

Indiana does not recognized IEBC. We just adopted the 2018 IRC with amendments this year. However I did note in the IEBC for habitable spaces it calls out for 7'-0" minimum ceiling height for habitable spaces. The cost to lower the existing floor slab is going to be a killer for the Owner. I am just open to thoughts on the matter....Thanks for your input.

 

[cda]

Meet with the city, and see what they say about a 100 year old house.

To me instead of chasing ideas, see what the city will accept., you have to get there stamp in the end.

Were plans already submitted to the city and permit issued??????????

 

[Mr. Inspector]

You might need to go through their appeal process to try to get what you want. I don't see it being allowed without an emergency escape in the bedroom.

 

[Teeshot]

I agree with Rick. The big ticket item with this one is the lack of the Emergency Escape & Rescue Opening.

 

[indyarchyguy]

Meet with the city, and see what they say about a 100 year old house.

To me instead of chasing ideas, see what the city will accept., you have to get there stamp in the end.

Were plans already submitted to the city and permit issued??????????

No idea....haven't heard a word back from the Owner after all of this...

 

[fatboy]

Yeah, the lack of a compliant EERO would be a deal breaker here.

 

[No Soup for you]

Sounds like they got caught working w/o a permit? because.... these issues would have been resolved on the submitted and approved plans