The Home Improvement Thread

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Ok... here's a question "for a friend".

He is developing his basement without permits.

What is the punishment if the basement is finished and then the city finds out about the development? Is there any retro-active inspection that can be done without ripping all the walls down? How does all this affect insurance?

I guess my question is why wouldn't he pull the permits? It's not horribly expensive and it keeps the house insurance compliant. The other huge bonus is knowing the basement is renovated properly and safely. Inspectors are usually friendly and offer advice, they're generally a great resource of info. I would never do a major reno without the proper permits.

[blueski]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I guess my question is why wouldn't he pull the permits? It's not horribly expensive and it keeps the house insurance compliant. The other huge bonus is knowing the basement is renovated properly and safely. Inspectors are usually friendly and offer advice, they're generally a great resource of info. I would never do a major reno without the proper permits.

His tax assessment will go up. But I agree it is better to go the permit route.

[BlackArcher101]

What's the penalty if some nosy neighbour reports you to 311 that you appear to be developing your house without a permit?

[blueski]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

What's the penalty if some nosy neighbour reports you to 311 that you appear to be developing your house without a permit?

I think most of the time, you just go and get a permit when that happens. Someone ratted on my neighbour for a nice looking garage a year ago and he just went and got a permit and that was that.

[V]

Usually basements get developed without a permit if you don't want the suite in the basement to be legal. There's a lot of extra work involved with making a suite legal that many people aren't interested in doing.

If it's not a suite I really don't understand why you wouldn't get a permit.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by V

Usually basements get developed without a permit if you don't want the suite in the basement to be legal. There's a lot of extra work involved with making a suite legal that many people aren't interested in doing.

If it's not a suite I really don't understand why you wouldn't get a permit.

If you purchase a property with an undeveloped basement, bylaw demands a permit to develop it{in any municipality I have ever lived in).
That said, I never ever got said permit

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I've got a heated garage and snow in the wheel wells of the car is melting. The water runs towards the door (as it should) but the door sweep is preventing water from running out to the driveway. Instead - water is running off to the sides of the garage where I have items stored and they're sitting in a pool of water.

Anyone have ideas on something heavy yet able to hold back water that I could use to keep the water from pooling on the sides of my garage? (think of a sandbag in hose form?)

[JonDuke]

For permits when doing a basement...
What is the exact definition of "development"?

If I throw up drywall, and lay carpet, do I need to get a permit, or is it more if you're adding full walls/rooms and electrical?

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

For permits when doing a basement...
What is the exact definition of "development"?

If I throw up drywall, and lay carpet, do I need to get a permit, or is it more if you're adding full walls/rooms and electrical?

Putting up drywall and carpet does not require a permit.

Edit:

I suppose it depends on how much, exactly what you are doing -

Originally Posted by calgary.ca website

Building permits are not REQUIRED for:
Fences, sidewalks, planters
Retaining walls that are less than 1.2 metres in height
Painting, decorating and general maintenance
Minor repairs using similar or same materials for maintenance which do not affect any electrical or mechanical work
Accessory buildings not greater than 10 square metres in area, if they do not create a hazard

For example, I redid my kitchen, which included re-drywalling, re flooring, replacing all cabinets, etc. This did not require a building permit, as per the conversation I had with the city. I did get a homeowners electrical permit to revise the electrical.

[V]

I'm going to build a lean-to structure attached to my garage this spring, but I don't know the first thing about framing. It'll probably extend about 12' from my garage, and I don't want more than three columns to support it. Any suggestions on where to start learning? Usually youtube is pretty helpful, but I'm finding a lot of videos from total noobs with pretty sketchy work.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by V

I'm going to build a lean-to structure attached to my garage this spring, but I don't know the first thing about framing. It'll probably extend about 12' from my garage, and I don't want more than three columns to support it. Any suggestions on where to start learning? Usually youtube is pretty helpful, but I'm finding a lot of videos from total noobs with pretty sketchy work.

I don't think he covers your exact project, but this channel does have a few videos on framing/decks/sheds that might help you. I've found it to be a solid resource as the host is quite detailed in his instructions.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

For permits when doing a basement...
What is the exact definition of "development"?

If I throw up drywall, and lay carpet, do I need to get a permit, or is it more if you're adding full walls/rooms and electrical?

You can drywall a wall and leave the bottom two feet unfinished and that doesn't require a permit IIRC. As soon as you start to close it in, you need electrical and all the things required for developed room.

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by V

I'm going to build a lean-to structure attached to my garage this spring, but I don't know the first thing about framing. It'll probably extend about 12' from my garage, and I don't want more than three columns to support it. Any suggestions on where to start learning? Usually youtube is pretty helpful, but I'm finding a lot of videos from total noobs with pretty sketchy work.

Google up the 'shed of doom'...lots of good info there. Its a thread on a bc sport bike forum.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Google up the 'shed of doom'...lots of good info there. Its a thread on a bc sport bike forum.

That thing was horrific. Surely it must have blown over by now in the wind storms?

[Table 5]

Has anyone here ever cut somewhat larger holes into Ikea MDF (or whatever their particle board is)?

I bought a Galant printer cabinet for my UPS, NAS and possibly other components and I have a feeling its going to get too hot in there, so I need to cut some holes for cabinet coolers. I don't need the lines to be perfect, I just want to make sure it doesn't create massive cracks.

The cabinet is put together, so I was thinking of just using a jigsaw, but I'm wondering if something else will do a better job?

[surferguy]

What kind of holes and how big? Circles? Squares?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Has anyone here ever cut somewhat larger holes into Ikea MDF (or whatever their particle board is)?

I bought a Galant printer cabinet for my UPS, NAS and possibly other components and I have a feeling its going to get too hot in there, so I need to cut some holes for cabinet coolers. I don't need the lines to be perfect, I just want to make sure it doesn't create massive cracks.

The cabinet is put together, so I was thinking of just using a jigsaw, but I'm wondering if something else will do a better job?

I did this to get some cables. I used a large reamer bit to cut a circular hole, there some some chipping right around the hole, but I put a grommet through it, and it covers up the chips so it isn't noticeable.

[V]

I think if you tape it first and then drill you'll really reduce the chipping.

[Scornfire]

holesaw attachment for your hand drill would be best

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Scornfire

holesaw attachment for your hand drill would be best

Yes. Holesaw, not reamer. Got the names of the tools mixed up.