How to build a LEGAL BASEMENT from START to FINISH 🔨👷

Summary

This video script offers an in-depth look at the process of developing a legal, rentable basement from scratch. It covers the 13 essential steps, including initial consultation, layout approval, permits, framing, inspections, and finishing touches. The host, Naj, interviews Hergy, a civil engineer and realtor who shares expert insights on safety requirements, cost considerations, and the importance of adhering to city guidelines. Viewers are guided through the challenges and benefits of basement development to supplement mortgage payments, with a focus on creating additional living spaces and ensuring compliance with building codes.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The video discusses the process of developing a legal rentable basement to supplement mortgage payments.
• 👷 Hergy, a civil engineer and realtor, shares his expertise in construction and basement development.
• 📝 The development process involves 13 steps, starting with measurements and initial consultation, and ending with final inspections and obtaining an occupancy permit.
• 🔍 Key considerations for basement development include meeting city guidelines, permit fees, and ensuring fire safety requirements are met.
• 🔄 Fire separation is crucial, with a minimum of 15 minutes fire separation required between the basement and the upper unit.
• 📏 Minimum ceiling height for basements is 6' 5", and underpinning may be necessary if the natural height is insufficient.
• 🛠️ The construction process includes framing, plumbing, HVAC, electrical work, and drywall installation, with inspections at various stages.
• 💰 Costs for developing a basement can vary, with one example in the video mentioning a cost of $75,000 including HST and permits.
• 🚪 Egress windows are required for fire exits, and separate entrances for basements may add additional costs.
• 🔐 Safety features such as duct smoke detectors are essential to prevent the spread of fire and are a critical part of obtaining permits.
• 👀 The video provides a behind-the-scenes look at basement construction, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of the process.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of developing a legal rentable basement?

The main purpose of developing a legal rentable basement is to supplement the homeowner's mortgage payment by providing additional income through renting the space.

What qualifications does Hergy have that make him suitable for this project?

Hergy is a civil engineer by education, owns a construction company, and is also a realtor, giving him over a decade of experience in construction and expertise in the field.

What are the initial steps involved in developing a basement according to the script?

The initial steps include measurements and initial consultation, understanding client requirements, city guidelines, and expectations on cost and timelines.

Why is fire separation an essential consideration during basement development?

Fire separation is essential as per the Ontario Building Code (OBC) to ensure safety. It helps prevent the spread of fire and is a requirement for obtaining permits.

What is an egress window and why is it necessary in basement development?

An egress window is a larger window that provides a fire exit. It is necessary for safety reasons and is a requirement for basements to meet building codes.

What is the minimum ceiling height required for a basement according to the script?

The minimum ceiling height required for a basement is 6' 5" as per the building code.

What is underpinning and why might it be considered in basement development?

Underpinning is a process where the floor is lowered to increase the height of the basement. It is considered when the existing height does not meet the minimum requirement and is an alternative to increasing the overall height of the house.

What are the additional costs associated with creating a separate entrance for a basement?

The additional costs for creating a separate entrance can range from $12,000 to $15,000, depending on the project, and include the construction of a sidewalk or a below-ground stairwell entrance.

Why is the electrical panel capacity important when converting a basement into a legal duplex?

The electrical panel capacity is important because it needs to support the increased electrical load from additional appliances like laundry machines and air conditioners. An upgrade from a 100-ampere to a 200-ampere panel may be necessary.

What is the estimated cost for a two-bedroom, one-bath basement with separate entrance and laundry?

The estimated cost for such a basement, including HST and permits, is about $75,000, and it features top-notch finishes in the kitchen and washroom.

What is the role of a duct smoke detector in a basement?

A duct smoke detector detects smoke in the system and, if smoke or fire is detected, it shuts off fuel and power to the furnace to prevent the spread of fire or smoke in the upper unit.

Outlines

00:00

🏗️ Basement Development Basics

This paragraph introduces the topic of developing a legal rentable basement from scratch, which can supplement mortgage payments. It covers the importance of permits, processes, challenges, costs, and timelines. The video features Hergy, a civil engineer turned realtor and construction company owner, who shares his expertise in construction and real estate. Hergy's experience and his venture with 'Bricks and Dreams' are highlighted, along with the host's mission to help immigrants achieve financial stability. The video promises to guide viewers through the 13 steps involved in basement development, starting with initial measurements and consultations to understand client requirements and city guidelines.

05:02

📐 Planning and Permits for Basement Renovations

This section delves into the detailed process of basement development, emphasizing the planning and permit stages. It explains the importance of creating a layout that meets legal requirements, including minimum ceiling heights, separate entrances, window specifications, and fire safety measures. The paragraph discusses the necessity of city approvals and the associated permit fees, as well as the critical aspects that city inspectors look for, such as fire separation, interconnected fire alarms, and egress windows for fire exits. It also touches on the challenges of meeting these requirements, such as minimum height restrictions and the option of underpinning to increase basement height legally.

10:02

🛠️ Framing, Inspections, and Finishing Touches

This paragraph outlines the construction process post-permit approval, starting with initial framing to establish room locations and client expectations. It highlights the importance of subsequent inspections for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems to ensure compliance with building codes. The paragraph explains the sequence of construction activities, including framing, plumbing, HVAC, electrical work, and drywall installation, followed by mudding to prepare surfaces for a finished look. It also discusses the final stages of construction, which involve flooring, tiling, trims, bathroom installations, priming, and painting, culminating in a final inspection for occupancy permits. Additional costs for separate entrances and electrical panel upgrades are also mentioned, along with considerations for water line sizes to support multiple units.

15:02

🔥 Safety Requirements and Project Showcase

The final paragraph focuses on safety requirements for basement renovations, particularly the installation of duct smoke detectors to prevent the spread of fire. It explains the role of these detectors in shutting off fuel and power to the furnace in case of smoke detection, thereby enhancing fire safety. The paragraph also showcases a completed project by Hergy and his team, detailing the cost and features of a two-bedroom, one-bath basement with a separate entrance and laundry. It emphasizes the high-quality finishes in the kitchen and washroom and invites viewers to follow Hergy's Instagram for more insights into construction processes. The video concludes with a call to action for subscriptions, likes, and comments, encouraging viewers to engage with the content and share their preferences for future videos.

Keywords

💡Basement Development

Basement development refers to the process of transforming an unused or partially used basement into a functional living space, typically by adding bedrooms, bathrooms, and other amenities. In the video's context, it is about creating a legal, rentable basement to supplement mortgage payments. The script mentions various steps involved in this process, from initial consultation to obtaining permits and meeting city guidelines.

💡Permits

Permits are official documents granted by the city or municipality that authorize the commencement of construction work. They are essential for basement development to ensure all work complies with local building codes and safety regulations. The script discusses the process of obtaining permits, including the associated fees and the necessity of city approval for the basement layout.

💡Fire Separation

Fire separation is a construction requirement that involves creating a barrier to prevent the spread of fire between different parts of a building. It is a critical safety feature emphasized in the script, where the city's guidelines mandate a minimum of 30-minute fire separation. The script mentions that interconnected fire alarms and egress windows are also part of meeting fire safety requirements.

💡Egress Window

An egress window is a large window designed to provide a secondary means of escape in case of an emergency, such as a fire. It is a specific requirement for basement development to ensure safety during emergencies. The script describes egress windows as 'bigger windows' that are part of the fire exit strategy for the basement.

💡Ceiling Height

Ceiling height refers to the vertical distance from the floor to the ceiling in a room. It is a crucial aspect of basement development as it affects the comfort and usability of the space. The script specifies a minimum height requirement of 6' 5" for basements and discusses the implications of not meeting this requirement, such as the need for underpinning.

💡Furnace

A furnace is a major appliance used for heating a home. In the context of the video, moving the furnace is a significant step in basement development to create an open-concept living space. The script mentions the cost and effort involved in relocating the furnace to facilitate the basement's layout.

💡Electrical Panel

An electrical panel, also known as an electrical distribution board, is the central point in a building's electrical system where circuits are connected to the main power supply. The script highlights the importance of having an adequate electrical panel, especially when converting a basement into a legal duplex, to handle the increased electrical load.

💡Water Line

A water line is the pipe that carries water from the main supply to a building. The script discusses the need to upgrade the water line from the city's curb stop to the property to support the increased demand of two units, especially in older properties with smaller lines.

💡Mudding

Mudding is a stage in the drywall finishing process where a mixture of joint compound is applied to seams and imperfections in the drywall to create a smooth surface. It is part of the final stages of basement development mentioned in the script, preparing the walls for painting and other finishing touches.

💡Occupancy Permit

An occupancy permit is a document issued by the city or municipality that certifies a building or a part of it is safe for habitation and complies with all building codes and safety regulations. The script mentions the final inspection and obtaining an occupancy permit as the last step in the basement development process.

💡Walk-out Basement

A walk-out basement is a type of basement that has an entrance leading directly to the outside of the house, usually at ground level. The script discusses the advantages of having a walk-out basement, such as easier access and more natural light, and the additional costs associated with creating a separate entrance if a walk-out is not possible.

Highlights

Importance of fire safety in basement development, with a focus on fire separation and interconnected fire alarms.

The cost of moving a furnace to create an open concept living space in a basement renovation.

13 steps involved in developing a legal rentable basement, including permits, process, challenges, costs, and timeline.

Hergy's expertise as a civil engineer, construction company owner, and realtor in basement development.

Naj's mission to retire himself and 1 million immigrants with $5 million through real estate education.

Minimum ceiling height requirements for basements and the option of underpinning to meet these requirements.

Two different floor plans offered to clients for basement development, allowing them to choose based on their preferences.

The process of obtaining permits for basement development, including the timeline and inspections involved.

The importance of electrical panel capacity when converting a basement into a legal duplex.

The necessity of upgrading water lines in older properties to support two units in a basement development.

The mudding stage in basement construction and its role in preparing the walls for final finishes.

The cost of creating a separate entrance for a basement, including the additional expense for below-ground stairwells.

Safety requirements for basements, including duct smoke detectors to prevent fire spread.

The completed project of a two-bedroom basement with separate entrance and laundry, and its cost breakdown.

Hergy's Instagram page as a resource for behind-the-scenes construction insights.

The call to action for viewers to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and comment on their favorite parts.

Transcripts

one of the most essential things that

they look at is

jobs in the furnace the probability of

getting a fire are much higher this is

crazy so how much money did you spend to

move it there it cost me close to this

video is the only video you'll ever want

to watch if you want to understand how

to develop a legal rentable basement

from scratch that would help you

supplement your mortgage payment we'll

talk about permits process challenges

costs and timeline as we look at

different homes in different stages of

development and for this we have hergy

with us who is part of bricks and dreams

my realtor Partners a civil engineer by

education and owns a construction

company along with being a realtor tell

us a little

bit well uh I have over a decade of

experience in construction but this this

Venture is something we just started

over an year ago and that's when I

decided you

know and you know start to have a second

uh Venture where create some income and

also help the clients if you are new to

this channel my name is Naj and I'm on a

mission to retire myself and 1 million

more immigrants with $5 million do

subscribe to the channel if you have not

done that already and let's get started

[Music]

all right so we are in an amazing

basement right now I love it it's a walk

out basement and we have with us and

he'll explain to

us this

is we are planning to build a

two-bedroom basement here and while also

keeping some of the area for the owner's

use as a storage and gym area so now

let's talk about the 13 steps that are

involved in developing a basement number

one is measurements and initial

consultation where hergy and his team

will go to the client and understand

what their requirements are whether they

want a one bedroom basement or a

two-bedroom basement they'll also look

at the requirements as for the city

guidelines and that's the initial

consideration that has to be made first

then obviously the expectation on cost

timelines all that is discussed then

her's team will be building a layout as

per legal requirements the third step in

this is forwarding the layout after the

approvals from the client obviously uh

they forward the layout to the city for

approval and this includes the permit

fees because obviously there's a fees to

the uh you know to making changes uh to

the house as well there are kitchen

requirements their height of the

basement you know there has to be a

minimum height we'll talk about that

separate entrance window requirements

fire safety there's so many things that

need to be looked at and because they

are experts they know exactly what the

city requires and they make sure that

all the requirements are

met important like when you are looking

at the plans and everything like is it

the ceiling height is it a separate

entrance like what what are the three or

four things that they are definitely

looking at when it comes to approvals

well to be honest with you they they

look at everything you know they look at

okay how are you installing the separate

entrance H where are you installing it

and one of the most essential things

that they look at is fire separation

right because uh as per OBC uh we need

to have 30 minute fire

separation we provide interconnected

fire alarms anyway uh which are

connected with the upper unit as well so

requirement then you're only required to

put in 15 minutes fire separation got it

but uh we try to do both ah makes sense

Mak sense to just and then you also have

to have one egress uh window for the

fire exit for the fire exit so igress

window is basically a bigger window uh

which you see uh here these are all

igress windows now we talking about

[Music]

so the minimum height that's required is

6' 5 in that's going to be across all no

that's the lowest height that they would

allow you right just say here we have uh

I can just tell you this is 7 fo10 uh

and we will most likely remove this

uhhuh and uh we would have a roughly 8T

sorry 7t 10 ceiling that's more than

acceptable okay but the 65 would apply

here ah because we have lowered this

down and by the time you put a drve ball

and framing here this might come down a

little bit more M right but in certain

cases there's no way you are able to do

it sense like like if it's a little bit

City would allow it okay right and but

if it's if you still can't do it then

the other option you have is

underpinning so what we are trying to do

is we trying to you know not increase

the but it used the floor and that's how

we increase height that's requires a lot

of cost we'll not get into that um not

recommended in most cases but um yeah

that's how we can make it legal now this

basically is the floor plan and her has

actually given two floor plans to this

client so if you just try to imagine you

know we came down from here this is the

gym area uh and then there'll be a

bedroom here there'll be a laundry here

uh and then you know you'll have uh the

furnace closet this is the bedroom

number two this is the kitchen and

here's the you know where the living

area will go and here's the bathroom and

there's a even a walk-in closet you know

if you look at this bathroom um and then

you know so this is where you come down

and this is where you enter basically

and on in the entrance there's a laundry

as well so it's a pretty nice you know

like very spacious um you know um

looking plan uh and this is the walk out

basement I think this is the patio door

so this is where the entrance will be so

it's pretty amazing and then this is

basically an alternate plan where the

layout is a slightly different uh it it

doesn't give you know a walk-in closet

it gives a smaller closet but the washer

dryer is at a different position it

makes the uh house a little bit bigger

uh when it comes to bedroom number two

so these two options the client can

actually choose you know what they like

and that's how uh the layout works and

depending on you know this is all bu up

to building Cod and depending on what

the client chooses uh this will actually

go to the city uh for permits then

number four is of course the permit

comes in 2 to 4 weeks then there is

framing that will be started now they do

not complete all the framing that's what

you know harji told me they don't

complete all the framing because there's

another inspection that happens but what

they do is after they do the initial

framing so that they know what room uh

goes where and what it looks like and

the client can also you know imagine a

little bit you know because it's very

difficult for someone who has not done

it you know um himself to know uh or get

into the brain and even understand the

layout uh when it's made it's just

easier if the framing is done to

understand how the bedroom would look

like and how the kitchen would look like

and how the entire layout would look

like then obviously uh when the framing

happens without doing the drywall it's

much easier to do the plumbing HVAC

electricals all that happens after the

framing and then they basically complete

the framing after they've completed the

framing then another inspection happens

all the greens ones are that are not in

control of the construction people these

are all and everything that is marked in

green these are all inspections it's

very much dependent on City and how much

time they take to do it uh usually this

particular inspection uh you know is

happens pretty quickly because the

inspector is already assigned uh so

inspection happens in need to make sure

that the plumbing is as per code uh HVAC

is there electricals are there so

everything has to be as per code and

that's why this particular inspection

happens and after the inspection is done

then they actually do the drywall

because now you cannot make a lot of

changes once you have done the drywall

so then the drywalling happens then

there's something called as mudding and

now will explain what mudding actually

means out there just to make it look

very nice the way we see the finished W

after that we are in the final stages

where we have to finish the entire you

know house we have to do flooring tiling

trims bathrooms and then there is

priming and painting and plus we also

need to do kitchen installations and

bathroom installation so all the

finishing touches go on step number 11

and 12 and finally there's a final

inspection that happens just to ensure

that everything is to code all the you

know fittings have been to code and it's

all you know good and once the inspector

is satisfied

then you get the occupancy

permit basement it's very easy to have a

separate

entrance you just need to make a

sidewalk uh what happens if you don't

have a walk out

basement so then we have to do a below

ground stairwell entrance

and you know that's the direct cost that

gets added to the project uh 12 to

$5,000 depending upon project to project

there to do

it we need to have from your building

footprint to your property L you need to

have at least 4 foot four if you don't

have

it this is the thing and the second

thing I look for is what type of

electrical panel they have why is that

important it is important because uh if

if you are converting into legal duplex

if you have up to 125 ampere panel it

will not be able to take the electrical

load laundry or plus air conditioner

right so you need to upgrade it to

almost

200 because say we are just doing a

project in

Brandford 200 possible the maximum we

are going to get is uh

150 we have recommended the clients to

uh install one of their stoves as

gas

gas makes sense and the the third thing

I look for is the size of water line but

this is a new property built in

2019 but some of the properties which

are older 58 in line and that is not

enough to support two units M so in

those cases you have to upgrade your

water line from City's curb stop to your

within your property and that's also an

additional cost rly uh it can vary from

$5 to $8,000 depending upon KY length

all right we are in her's basement now

which is under

construction nice so this is what stage

now well this is at mudding stage right

now uhhuh and here it's going to be

kitchen okay and well this is what

upgraded 200 a okay you have upgraded

this 200 US like Bel provided 100 we

have upgraded it to 200 got it because

100 won't support two laundries and two

stoves Mak sense and here it will be

kitchen very small kitchen M and then uh

this is going to be living area mhm and

this is going to be bedroom that's going

bedroom this is washroom okay this will

be washroom this is washroom so

con so this is going to be one bedroom

this is going to be the bedroom and ab

be uh like originally I wanted to have a

closet here uh but because I'm doing

everything legally so the door has to be

at like 32 in wide so I was not able to

put a closet so what I have done to C to

that is I have I'm going to convert the

under stairs portion ah

uh this should be easily I think $1,300

,300 plus utility is 30% nice

yeah so all of this is out yes so this

planning happens at uh the stage

roughing stage ruffing stage happens

inspection so now what we need to do

after this is

finishing there is one more layer of

mudding that they need to do and after

that uh I'm going to call in painter to

do the priming and right where we are

going to call in the finishing team to

install flooring and uh washroom

instulation and last thing to catchen

installation all right time total from

starting to let's say end roughly like

is but I was also not very aggressive on

this because I'm focusing more on my

clients better than my own by the way

has done something really amazing where

her is standing was what heri so so when

when when I bought this house from the

build so this where we standing I had

the furnace and the water heater was

there one of the first things when I was

visualizing the basement floor plans I

was like okay I was always wanting to

have open concept living room in order

to get that I had to move my furnace

pretty much my whole mechanical room had

to be moved

there this is crazy so how much money

did you spend to move it there it cost

me close to $5,000 to to move that but

this is so much worth it because you got

so much space here and this can be a

bedroom with a walk-in closet and a

laund

and this is pretty big awesome amazing

are the best thank you now let's go to

another project that hergy and his team

just completed this is a two-bedroom one

bath basement with separate entrance and

separate laundry this basement would

cost about $75,000 including HST and

permits and the finishes are topnotch

especially in the kitchen and washroom

now let's understand a few safety

requirements in this basement because

they are so critical to getting the

permits this is duct smoke detector and

uh in simple terms uh the purpose of

this is to detect any smoke in the

system in case it detects any smoke or

fire it will shut off Fuel and power to

this furnace so that to prevent the

spread of any further fire or smoke in

the upper unit very simple reason in

case of any fire it will immediately

kick in and you know prevent the spread

of fire the utility room is close to

60t source of fire usually mechanical

room it can be because at the end of the

day in the furnace uh the probability of

getting a fire are much higher compared

to any other uh parts of the house

that's awesome hery is a very kind

person and a Powerhouse of knowledge do

follow his Instagram page to know more

about behind the scenes of construction

that's all I have for today do subscribe

to the channel if you have not done that

already do hit the like button if you

really love the video and do put in the

comments what is the best part of this

particular video and what all videos you

would want to see in

future byebye

[Music]