Capital Basement Renovation is an expert renovation company that specializes in designing and building legal basement apartments. Our team is highly skilled, knowledgeable, and qualified in the construction industry with over 15 years of combined experience. You can rest easy when you partner with us because we always comply with Ottawa’s building codes and safety regulations associated with creating secondary dwelling units.
Advantages of Adding Legal Basement Apartment
A legal basement apartment is a type of secondary dwelling unit in Ottawa that you can rent out or use as a guest space. The space includes a kitchen, one or more bathrooms, bedrooms, and a living area.
Here are a few of the many advantages to creating a legal apartment in your basement:
- Provides a private and comfortable living space for extended family to live in or stay in while visiting.
- Increasing your home’s resale value and makes your house more attractive to potential buyers.
- Opens up the opportunity for additional income should you choose to rent the apartment full or part time.
What’s Included in Our Legal Basement Renovation
Capital Basement Renovation will help you design and build a basement that meets all your needs, wants, and requirements. For example, we can build a legal basement apartment with a walkout, walk-up, or separate exterior entrance. Our team waterproofs basements to ensure a mould free environment and provide basement underpinning services when necessary. We also help guide through the permitting process and submit applications for you.
As experienced legal basement contractors, you can count on us to handle the following:
- Electrical: Our team has the required training and licenses to install all the electrical wiring in your basement. We will take care of putting in electrical sockets, light fixtures, and appliances, such as fridges and stoves.
- Plumbing: We are qualified to install, replace, and alter your plumbing systems, water lines, and sewer systems. This allows us to build top of the line bathrooms and kitchens.
- Emergency Exits/Egress Window: We have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the safety regulations and building codes for the Ottawa area. This includes the size, location, and specifications for the required egress windows in a basement apartment.
- Fireproofing System Installation: In addition to waterproofing basements, we also provide fireproofing. This includes properly ventilating the basement and installing fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as per building code.
- Soundproofing: If you’re planning to rent out your basement apartment, soundproofing the area is essential. This increases the privacy for you and your renters.
- Insulation: Insulating your basement is very important as it helps prevent mould growth, improves the comfort of the space, and reduces energy costs. We will insulate each side of your basement apartment and ensure all windows and exterior doors are sealed and weatherproof.
- HVAC Installation: We will install a separate HVAC system for your basement apartment. This gives you and the basement occupants better temperature control.
Requirements for Legal Basement in Ontario
Meeting legal basement requirements in Ontario is important for property value, safety, and avoiding potential repercussions. These requirements involve the following:
Building Code Concerns
Legal basements must adhere to the Ontario Building Code. The key guidelines that need to be followed are having a ceiling height of 6 feet 5 inches and a minimum of 145 square feet for a bachelor unit, which should increase with each additional room.
Legal Basement Apartment
Definition — A legal basement apartment is categorized as a second dwelling unit. As such, it must have a separate entrance, a parking spot, and its own utilities, as well as comply with fire safety protocols.
Fire Safety, Electrical and Proper Exits
Fire separation is required between the basement and rest of the house, along with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Lighting and switches are required in every room, including by the staircases, and all electrical fixtures need to be inspected and approved by the Electrical Safety Authority. An egress window should be easily accessible for emergency exits.
Ventilation, Heating & Plumbing
Efficient ventilation and heating are extremely important for basement legalization. Shared furnace systems need specialized smoke detectors in ducts, installed by professional contractors. Plumbing must include hot and cold water, a kitchen sink, essential bathroom fixtures, and access to laundry.
Tenant & Legal Considerations
The necessary permits must be obtained and your insurance company must be informed about the basement rental. When you find a tenant, remember to do a thorough screening, write up a detailed lease, and declare your rental income on tax returns.
How to Make Legal Basement Apartment
Aside from the basement itself, there are other legal apartment requirements in Ontario you must abide by as a landlord:
Next Steps to Build Legal Basement Suite in Ottawa
Design and build your legal basement with Capital Basement Renovation for guaranteed satisfaction, attentive customer support, and ensured safety and security. We take care of every aspect of the project, from the planning and design to the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installations.
Give us a call or send us an email today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our basement apartment renovation services.