A Simple Backyard Gazebo Leads to a Full Basement Renovation in Everett, Washington
Have you ever started a small home project only for it to snowball into something much bigger? That's exactly what happened with this family when all they wanted was to build a gazebo in their backyard.
It all started when the city inspector came by to approve their new gazebo. He suspected unpermitted work had been done in their basement due to an unusually small bedroom window. After further investigation, he realized his suspicions were true. Unfortunately, with the unpermitted additions and renovations from the prior homeowner, this family was facing huge fines until they got the basement up to code.
That's when they called us at Integrity Home Maintenance & Repair to come in and fix all the shoddy work done by the prior contractor and finally bring the additions to their home up to code.
Our team jumped into action right away with no time wasted! We knew the homeowner would face fines of $100 PER DAY until everything was fixed, up to code, and approved by the city inspector.
Unpermitted Additions in the Basement
When we started demoing the basement, we realized it was an even bigger project than expected. This unpermitted 800 sq ft space had a family room, two bedrooms, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom. While we knew there were major code violations, not all of them were visible:
Inadequate structural beams and improper framing
The sewer for the bathroom was draining into a hole in the floor instead of being connected to the proper plumbing
Zero insulation for the bedrooms
Broken concrete throughout the basement causing an uneven floor and an eyesore
Faulty wiring in all the walls (major fire hazard!)
The furnace and existing ducting weren’t sufficient for the additional living space
An unpermitted existing electrical panel that wasn’t grounded properly AND no tamper-proof breakers in it. (Another major fire hazard!)
It turned out the previous owner who did this sketchy work was a general contractor! You'd think they would know better…
Getting This Renovation Done Right (And Cost-Effectively)
This was no small task, but we knew with more than 15 years of experience managing large scale general construction and home building projects, we were the perfect fit for the job.
First, we brought in our architect to create detailed blueprints of the space and document everything that needed to be fixed and brought up to code. Once everything was reviewed and approved, we got to work!
During the basement remodel process, we:
Enlarged a bedroom window for proper egress (i.e. adequate emergency exit!)
Installed a proper support beam with new columns
Rebuilt framing issues
Added insulation for energy efficiency and comfort
Added insulation throughout the basement
Put in new electrical panels and an HVAC system
Installing an ejector tank plumbing system (i.e. no more sewer buckets!)
Replaced the flooring, new paint, and updated trim
Repaired the concrete basement floor to make it level
While doing all these critical renovations and updates, we looked for smart ways to save this family some money where possible. After all, this wasn't a project they expected to do, but had no choice due to the numerous safety issues, fire hazards, and code violations.
For example, we modified the layout to increase room sizes without expanding the footprint. We also did meticulous concrete floor leveling to prevent extra costs down the road. The biggest cost savings? We were able to reuse 80% of the existing construction materials which saved loads of money! A bonus was this also cut back on the amount of waste produced.
The homeowners also pitched in by taking on little projects like touching up the existing doors. As an experienced general contractor for Snohomish County, we know all the tricks to maximize quality and smarts about value-engineering opportunities.
A Stunning $80K+ Basement Renovation
In the end, the first phase of this basement went from an unpermitted danger zone to a beautiful, code-approved living space - all for around $80,000.
With new floors, paint, trim, and other finishes, it's an incredible transformation. More importantly, this project allowed the family to avoid excessive fines from the city and properly certify everything is safe and up to code. We were shocked to see just how many safety and fire hazards there were in this basement. While we were moving quickly to reduce the amount of fines they faced, we also wanted this to be a safe space for the homeowner to live with their family.
Renovations Up To Code
What started as a fun gazebo build turned into a three month-long, $80K renovation process - but it was one we were prepared to take on. With our expertise and dedication to doing things right, this client no longer has to worry about their basement being a danger to their family.
If you find yourself in a similar bind with unpermitted work, questionable craftsmanship from a prior contractor, or just want to renovate your basement, fill out this form! We'll make sure everything is done correctly while still looking out for your budget.
No project is too small (or too large!).
