I'm on a tight budget so most of the work will be done myself. Ill hire a plumber and electrician, but I'll be installing drywall, and framing in the rooms (minimal framing needs to be done). Has anyone dealt with the county who's finished their own basement? How much time and money does it end up costing? Are they fairly efficient in approving permits and work? I'd like to have it complete by December.

I really appreciate your input here. I've never had to deal with the county on such a matter and I'd love to hear some first hand experiences.

Not a DIYer but a contractor here- There is a handout you can download from the county that covers pretty much all you need to know regarding basement finishing. As long as you are having proffesionals do the plumbing and electric (don't forget HVAC) you should be ok. I have found that unless you are compleatly incompitent and can't/ won't follow instructions the county is generally helpful. They are pretty good about coming out the next day after you call in for inspection.

It's easy. I did what you did a few years back. The county website and that download is very helpful. follow instructions, have your stuff in order and getting the permits takes maybe an hour. Then wen it comes to the inspections, all you have To do is call and they come out the next day or so. Each inspection took literally 10 minutes and I'm being generous on that estimate.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Great! I did download all of the forms and guidelines off of their website, but I was afraid they'd be easier on contractors and come down heavy on individuals doing their own work. It's good to know they're efficient getting their guys out for inspections.

Out of curiosity, contractor, do you get many calls asking for you to complete unfinished jobs started by guys like me? I'm somewhat nervous about taking this on.

You have to have either a full window or an external door to finish a basement in the County now...even if you do not plan on framing out a bedroom. That's right, even if you just want it finished out as one large finished space. It's a change that went into effect several years ago...and there was a rush on basement work in the County before it went into effect. If you don't have such a foundation opening, you now need to have a foundation cut prior to permit approval.

zsdfgsdfgsdfg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You have to have either a full window or an
> external door to finish a basement in the County
> now...even if you do not plan on framing out a
> bedroom. That's right, even if you just want it
> finished out as one large finished space. It's a
> change that went into effect several years
> ago...and there was a rush on basement work in the
> County before it went into effect. If you don't
> have such a foundation opening, you now need to
> have a foundation cut prior to permit approval.


Source? That's news to me.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Mine's a walkout basement, but I considered adding an egress window so I could have a legal bedroom down there. Maybe down the road. For now I'll focus on the big picture.

Great advice, guys. I hope this gets some more responses.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Warhawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> zsdfgsdfgsdfg Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You have to have either a full window or an
> > external door to finish a basement in the
> County
> > now...even if you do not plan on framing out a
> > bedroom. That's right, even if you just want
> it
> > finished out as one large finished space. It's
> a
> > change that went into effect several years
> > ago...and there was a rush on basement work in
> the
> > County before it went into effect. If you
> don't
> > have such a foundation opening, you now need to
> > have a foundation cut prior to permit approval.
>
>
> Source? That's news to me.

It's true. My neighbor's house was built in 2000. We have a walkout and they don't. They only had those small basement windows. When they decided to finish their basement the contractor had to cut into the foundation to put a door in the side.

"Cutting into the foundation" actually isn't that dramatic a thing to do. It's a simple matter of the right saw and the right saw operator - the actual opening is unlikely to weaken anything to the point that structural re-engineering is necessary.

As far as right saw operator...a neighbor had his egress window put in by some contractor who, IMHO, was inept. The persons operating the saw not only cut horribly (multiple passes), they actually VISIBLY cut into his siding.

And, when all was said and done, the installation of the window well was either done too wide or too narrow (the well, fiberglass/plastic/whatever, has a certain radius but is somewhat flexible). Because the well was installed either too wide or too narrow, the COVER for the well did not fit. And at the bottom of the well the gravel wasn't deep enough to cover the 4" or so corrugated drainage pipe that was installed down to the foot of the foundation (to feed into the other drain pipes down there that feed to the sump).

The window itself, however, looked fine.

Warhawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> zsdfgsdfgsdfg Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You have to have either a full window or an
> > external door to finish a basement in the
> County
> > now...even if you do not plan on framing out a
> > bedroom. That's right, even if you just want
> it
> > finished out as one large finished space. It's
> a
> > change that went into effect several years
> > ago...and there was a rush on basement work in
> the
> > County before it went into effect. If you
> don't
> > have such a foundation opening, you now need to
> > have a foundation cut prior to permit approval.
>
>
> Source? That's news to me.


I'll answer as well since I made the statement quoted above.


1) County basement page

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Fairfax+county+finished+basement&l=1

See the third bullet.


2) County basement FAQ
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Fairfax+county+basement+Am+I+required+to+have+an+emergency+exit+directly+to+the+outside%3F&l=1

See question 2.


3) County notification of change in policy:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Fairfax+county+basement+residential+building+code+opening+foundation+wall&l=1



The news also appeared in numerous newspapers prior to the change going into effect...and folks scrambled to get their's finished before that deadline.

kjbdfjlgvbzd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I'll answer as well since I made the statement
> quoted above.
>
>
> 1) County basement page
>
> http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Fairfax+county+finished+basem
> ent&l=1
>
> See the third bullet.
>
>
> 2) County basement FAQ
> http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Fairfax+county+basement+Am+I+
> required+to+have+an+emergency+exit+directly+to+the
> +outside%3F&l=1
>
> See question 2.
>
>
> 3) County notification of change in policy:
>
> http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Fairfax+county+basement+resid
> ential+building+code+opening+foundation+wall&l=1
>
>
>
> The news also appeared in numerous newspapers
> prior to the change going into effect...and folks
> scrambled to get their's finished before that
> deadline.


Ahhh...now I remember reading that when going through the process, but my basement has 2 full windows as well as a walkout, so I probably immediately dismissed that requirement when looking into it.

I understand the reasoning, but that sucks if you own an older house. It's not cheap to do that shit.

Thanks!

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Warhawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Ahhh...now I remember reading that when going
> through the process, but my basement has 2 full
> windows as well as a walkout, so I probably
> immediately dismissed that requirement when
> looking into it.
>
> I understand the reasoning, but that sucks if you
> own an older house. It's not cheap to do that
> shit.
>
> Thanks!


Yes...sucks massively. The change did not affect me, but I had a number of friends who finished their basements before they felt they were ready for that expense just to avoid the larger expense later. They snuck in under the wire. Of course, getting a contractor that year was tough.

My wife and I looked at houses several years ago and factored this requirement into our search. We saw several homes with unfinished basements and no viable emergency exit. Many realtors are either unaware of the issue or choose to ignore it when they state "oh...you can finish this very easily."

We opted for a place with a finished basement...with french doors to the outside. :)

RussT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Great! I did download all of the forms and
> guidelines off of their website, but I was afraid
> they'd be easier on contractors and come down
> heavy on individuals doing their own work. It's
> good to know they're efficient getting their guys
> out for inspections.
>
> Out of curiosity, contractor, do you get many
> calls asking for you to complete unfinished jobs
> started by guys like me? I'm somewhat nervous
> about taking this on.

Sorry Russ I did not check in here yesterday. The only times I get called to finish up a job would be a) when the wife sees that hubby can't do fine finish carpentry and b)The "contractor" hired was really just a guy with a hammer and saw who tells the homeowner that they really don't need a permit for this little job.
The finish carpenrty is easy, just take your time. There are plenty of you tube videos on every aspect. Look at the trimwork in the rest of your house and try to match it.
You will typically have the same inspector for most of the inspections. Be shure to be there when he comes, be freindly, ask questions, let him know that you care about the job and that everything is done right. Don't argue with him if he wants you to correct something, for something as simple as a basement it's highly unlikely that he will be wrong about a code issue. Above all, keep your job site neat and tidy. A messy site is an indication of unprofessional work and a signal to the inpector to look more closely.
Lastly I would recommend subbing out the drywall work, you would be surprised how little it costs and how quickly professionals do it. The last basment I did took a half a day to hang and 3 days to tape/sand/clean up. It would probably have taken me 2 weeks.

+1 on the drywall. My cousin and I did ours. I'm certainly no expert, and he knew what he was doing, but I can still see the imperfections here and there and only if certain lights are on and casting the right shadow. Hanging drywall is fairly easy - it's the mudding/finishing that will kill you. We hung the drywall in a long day and it took us about 4 days to finish it. Most of it was just letting it dry until the next day. I'll never do it again on a scale like that.

You cannot beat someone who tapes/muds for a living. It's an art.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

RussT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mine's a walkout basement, but I considered adding
> an egress window so I could have a legal bedroom
> down there. Maybe down the road. For now I'll
> focus on the big picture.
>
> Great advice, guys. I hope this gets some more
> responses.
>
> Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

The PAKI next door to me rents out his basement to two young PAKI's. There is a walk up door exit, but the 2 windows are your standard basement windows you'd be lucky to fit a large cat through. I don't think the county cares.

Warhawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Hanging drywall is
> fairly easy - it's the mudding/finishing that will
> kill you. We hung the drywall in a long day and
> it took us about 4 days to finish it. Most of it
> was just letting it dry until the next day. I'll
> never do it again on a scale like that.
>
> You cannot beat someone who tapes/muds for a
> living. It's an art.

I agree. However, part of the problem with taping and mudding is getting the drywall hung properly in the first place. The more you mess up the first part, the harder it is to do the second.

It is a job you can do yourself, but it will take you longer and chances are it won't look as good as someone who does it for a living. I don't mind doing walls, but ceilings are a real pain in the ass.

Laws what Laws Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> The PAKI next door to me rents out his basement to
> two young PAKI's. There is a walk up door exit,
> but the 2 windows are your standard basement
> windows you'd be lucky to fit a large cat through.
> I don't think the county cares.


Actually, they probably would care. This isn't PG.


The door means that he could finish the basement if it was not finished, but if he has rooms without full windows in that basement being used as bedrooms, that's an issue...as it is an issue if there are too many unrelated people living in a home.

Both "apartment in a home" and "too many families in a home" are reportable issues on this form:

http://fido.fairfaxcounty.gov/DP1/Metroplex/FairfaxCounty/customerservice/WIZ_CSR.asp


He's probably okay on the renters if there are only two:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/property/overcrowding.htm

But if they are in basement bedrooms without full windows, he is done.

Does anyone know the rules about extending a permitted partially finished basement? I have a rec room that's finished but I'd like to extend it. This wouldn't cover the entire basement.

I'd rather not pay for emergency egress at this time

Yep...emergency egress is required:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/navbar/faqs/basement.htm

The pertinent details from this page are:

Quote

See below to determine if your changes will require emergency egress.

Alterations which require egress

Finishing existing unfinished areas into habitable spaces such as a hobby room, computer room, recreation room or bedroom1.
Converting an existing finished area into a bedroom1.
Alterations which do not require egress

Changing or adding finishes such as paint, wallpaper, chair-rail or paneling.
Adding a non-habitable space such as a laundry room, closet or bathroom.
Adding a wet bar.
1In this case, the emergency egress must serve the bedroom.

Which sucks, because this is the same boat I'm in.

My house is on a hill side. The front of the house is where the garage is and it's basement level. So my basement has egress to the outside -- through the garage. Will this meet code? If the power goes out, I have no idea how the garage door would open. I'd really like to finish the basement legally. By finish I mean just drywall in a large room.

I have a townhouse with a finished basement. My wife and I would like to add a wet bar. Do we need a permit from the county to do that?

I'm putting in a sex dungeon. Do we need a permit for that?

We in violation of having an illegal kitchen in the basement and for having a one room with egress and 1 without , we also have a tenant there, any advice on what we should do, should we apply got kitchen and what are the chances if succeeding, or should we apply for an accessory dwelling permit , which
one are we more likely to succeed in getting.

How about you start acting like Americans and not grovel at the foot of government to do something to a place you own?


Idiots.