Home Construction Help

[Borderjumper]

The house next to you has to remove their windows too right? To protect YOU in the event of a fire??

[sphelps]

Anyone know if it's possible to buy 5cms off your neighbors lot? If this is possible it would sure solve all my problems right now

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by sphelps

These are the windows that need to be removed. On a side note if anyone is familiar with fire code I'd love some advice on how I could fight this and keep the windows. The problem is the side yard is 5cm too narrow so it doesn't meet fire code, in order to get a variance from the county we will have to remove the windows to prevent a fire from spreading to the next house as easily. I understand this issue but what I don't get is the house has a fire sprinkler system just as you would find in Condo buildings. Now condos and townhomes can be connected because they have these systems so why would 5cm make a difference in my case.

what happens if you don't get the varance?

Condows are different rules.. they need a 1hr fire rating between them and no openings, so a double layer of 5/8 drywall gives you the 5 hour fire rating. the problem with windows is that when they get hot they can blow out and the flames can leap that way.

Steve

[The Codfather]

Originally Posted by toxic111

Ball park you are looking at anywhere from $2500-$5000 depending on if there is any mechanical or electrical to move, and what the final finished need to be.

Realistically, I think if you are contracting out all this work, you can add a 0 after those numbers. Just my opinion, but material alone is going to be more than $5000 to finish that size of basement. I see a rough in for a bathroom, trust me unless you are doing the work yourself, it's a bit more than a few grand. Just my 2 cents.
Bob

[Frankly Canadian]

I got agree with Codfather, thats a pretty pricey endeavorer your embarking on. I would rethink your plans and co-ordinated them with the design of the house.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by The Codfather

Realistically, I think if you are contracting out all this work, you can add a 0 after those numbers. Just my opinion, but material alone is going to be more than $5000 to finish that size of basement. I see a rough in for a bathroom, trust me unless you are doing the work yourself, it's a bit more than a few grand. Just my 2 cents.
Bob

Would have to agree wth bob materials are going to be over 5000, drywall is around 12$ a sheet and your looking at around 100 sheets possibly more if your doing a full basement. Also you'll have to take in account other things like mud, framing, flooring, and finish work like trim and bathroom things like toilets showers ect.

Honestly you could get it drywalled for about $600
bathroom plumbing will probably be close to 1000$
flooring will be close to $1000 depending on what you use
paint and plaster will run you about 1500$
to replace a window would be close to $200
installing doors will be around $300
installing trim and baseboard would average around $500


I'm sure hrs alot mor I'm just on my phone and don't wan to type alot more plus all of this is just labour materials would cost more than this.

Your best bet is to call around and get free quotes and then make a budget, oversee the trades yourself and pay someone to check their work . I am renovating a full house right now from new framing and windows, drywall/ insulation , painting plastering plus everything in between .... After 3 weeks I'm up o 10000 in labour alone plus about 15000 in materials so is def always more than you think when doing full basements and houses.

Get some quotes from cntractors or trades and post them here with some info like sq/ft and materials your going to use and I could let you know if it's a good price

I am a general contractor in Edmonton doing new and old homes, I've seen basemnts that cost over 50000 and ones that were done on a tight rope budget , I've been contracting for 13yrs and I guarantee it will run closer to 15000 for a basic basement with materials and cheap labour

Hope the helps and the prices above are just estimates not actual quotes

[spawn]

Like I said ALL IN average Sq.Ft. Price's $25-40 Per Sq.Ft. $25000-40000 for about 1000 Sq.Ft. 16 years Experience. & Busy.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by spawn

Like I said ALL IN average Sq.Ft. Price's $25-40 Per Sq.Ft. $25000-40000 for about 1000 Sq.Ft. 16 years Experience. & Busy.

I can agree to that , there's always ways to make it " cheaper " but if you want it done by people who specialize in these trades it's gonna be pricey... But hopefully done right , keep it simple and get a plan going don't do it flying by the edge of your seat lol that seat gets uncomfortable

just for spawn lol I'll put down As well business owner and general contrator for 13yrs with over 20 years in all trades and over 200 happy customers and referrals in Edmonton

prices for trades seem to be higher in Calgary , one if my customers us based out of Calgary and I'm constantly fighting to get Calgary prices, not a lot of difference but a bit

[toxic111]

Originally Posted by The Codfather

Realistically, I think if you are contracting out all this work, you can add a 0 after those numbers. Just my opinion, but material alone is going to be more than $5000 to finish that size of basement. I see a rough in for a bathroom, trust me unless you are doing the work yourself, it's a bit more than a few grand. Just my 2 cents.
Bob

My numbers were based on what the OP had asked for, which was not to finish a basement. For a finished basement I use anywhere from $60 to $125/ft2 budget.

I usually know my budget pricing pretty close, since I am in the industry.

Now for the fire code, that is different. I don't have my code book here, but if I remember correctly if you are closer than 1.2m to a property line you can not have any unprotected openings on a house (windows & doors)

There might be something you can do to keep the windows. Find out if they (the county or rm) would accept a sprinkler protected window. Which would mean having a sprinkler head installed right above the window. We use them in fire rated assemblies to have large openings of glass. There is usually a head on each side of the opening, but in this case it only needs to be protected from one side.

My questions is on the age of the home, usually if it is an existing home a varience would be granted no problem & be grandfathered.

Just for a FYI on me, 15+ years in residential & commercial design & 10+ years in construction.

And with a full basement finish, easliy $10,000 to do, I have about $8k in my basement & I have 2 bedrooms to paint & install floooring yet, plus a bathroom to completly finish.

[spawn]

Cheers to Reefwars, & I think if the rates for Lloydminster are correct & from what I here they're not far off, & somewhat Toxic. I might consider moving there. However I've been in Cowtown since before the boom, through it, and successfully after, & without crazy price fluctuations. The market correction was the best thing that could have happened for honest quality contractor's & trades, to help weed out gougers. I'm happy to stay here, work here, provide people & customers with fair pricing. For materials only, I'm @ $22 Sq.Ft. with a sauna, 2 head shower +2 body sprays, 10mm glass door,tile, a rec room with media, + 1 bedroom. I would put my labor @ $25.FYI.