Whether you’re thinking about turning your basement into a legal apartment for a loved one to live in or to generate an additional rental income, there are some things that you will need to consider.

Contact your Municipality

The first thing that you should do is contact your municipality to confirm that you are able to convert your basement into a legal apartment. Each municipality has unique zoning laws and regulations which must be followed. If you receive confirmation from the municipality that you are able to create a legal basement apartment, you can move on to next step and contact a contractor or a designer to start the process.

Contacting a Designer

The next step, would be to get in touch with an architect or designer who will be able to meet with you and examine your space. Together, you can go over the details of what you’re hoping to achieve and ensure that the design is legal, safe, and complies with all of the relevant Ontario Building codes. Once the official drawings are completed, you will be able to have them submitted in order to get permits to start the work. The drawings can be submitted by either yourself or if you are working with a contractor, they can assist you with the process.

Choosing a contractor

You should carefully select a reputable contractor that has a proven track record of creating basement apartments that are both aesthetically pleasing but also adhere to all relevant building codes and regulations. Ensure that the contractor has a team of licensed professionals to cover all aspects of the work involved, including an electrician, plumber and HVAC team. Your basement renovation will require thorough inspections performed by the municipality in order to be approved so it’s very important that all of the work is performed by licensed professionals in their respective trade. Your contractor will be able to review your design drawings and go over the details to assist you with planning and pricing. A legal basement apartment requires, fire separation, a kitchen, a full bathroom, a bedroom, a living room and egress windows (if your home doesn’t already have them) , as they provide a safe and unobstructed exit.

Working with your contractor

When it’s time to begin the process of converting your basement into a legal basement apartment, there will be many things to consider. When adding a legal basement, you are creating another dwelling in your home. This may involve things including breaking up the concrete to facilitate the plumbing for a new bathroom or kitchen, the HVAC system may require additional duct work to be installed, the electrical panel may need to be upgraded to support all of the additional electrical work required. Your contractor will advise you of what is required based on the scope of work for your specific basement renovations and ensure that the space conforms to all requirements set out by the designer and the Ontario Building Code.

After the technical aspects have been covered, you and your contractor will work together to go over the details of the design, including custom kitchen cabinetry or off the shelve cabinetry, 3 or 4 piece bathroom, floor choices etc. If you are working with a good contractor, they should have a team who can assist you with your design choices. A good basement renovation company will help work within your budget, maintain regular communication with you and turn the renovation process into an exciting experience.