Advice on legalizing an existing basement recreation room Long Island

[LawnGuyLander]

Hi All-
We are selling our home within 18 months and would like to offer a legal basement rec room as we believe it would add resale value.
City-data/ other forums advise that its a waste of money(construction costs+ increased taxes) since 50%+ finished basements on LI are not permitted
and no one cares.Basically we are being told that legalization is a gluttony for punishment endeavor.
Our basement is circa 1972 and does not comply with IRC staircase width and allowable ceiling projection height due to waste line(ceiling height is to current IRC code)
There is no egress window.Walls are currently insulated/sheetrocked,floor is carpet and wiring/lighting done by licensed electrician
The space is open area with boliler,elec.panel enclosed in double 5/8's sheetrock room.
How difficult/expensive is the legalization process as a rec room only.(no plumbing,cooking or sleeping)?
Are there any allowances for "as built" ie staircase ceiling projection etc.
All help is greatly appreciated!

 

[ADAguy]

Comes down to return on investment, how much will this increase your return for cost and time to do?

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Get estimates from contractors. I think you will find it won't be worth the cost and will take a long time to get a contractor to do it because they are all very busy now.

 

[cda]

Do they need an ERRO or door to the outside?

 

[fatboy]

Do they need an ERRO or door to the outside?

That would be our starting point, bare minimum.

An appointment with the Building Official would be the best use of time to start with. What is he going to want to see, accept.

 

[No Soup for you]

I would think you will need:

-egress door, window etc...
-ceiling height requirements
-Light ventilation requirements
-Sounds like it was already constructed w/o a permit so you will probably get hit with a penalty.
-You will need stamped drawings
-meet the new energy code etc...
-Hardwired smoke/CO alarms

probably missed a few things but thats a start

 

[No Soup for you]

Oh and you cannot take make up air for the heating unit from habitable space