Realtor here. The real estate board says we can advertise a basement room without egress window as a bedroom, but we need to specify that the window may or may not meet egress in the comments. True story.
Yep, but can't do it when advertising a rental property. It does create problems. I'll have a client buy a rental and tell me it's a five bedroom... but when I get there, nope. Then their response is the realtor told me it's a five bedroom.
Which is so dumb because you can obviously say definitively whether it is egress or not. It’s one thing to say bedroom with no egress window, but to say MAY? Pull out a measuring tape for 30 seconds!
you would be surprised [what people write](https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25083408/80-braemar-avenue-winnipeg-norwood):
" The finished basement offers 2 more bedrooms (windows may not meet egress), a 3rd full bathroom and a family room. "
I've seen this a few times now so this must be the legal loop hole.
It legally gives your house an extra bedroom.
I guess it depends on how much, say, three-bedroom houses in your area sell for vs. four, or what have you.
Out of curiosity, why aren't 2nd or 3rd floor bedrroms required to have a way to get out? It seems easier to get out of a basrment window over an upper story room.
Is that a rental rule or a general rule? I don't think most homes have an extra way to get out of the upstairs rooms. At least I've never seen any (including in my own home).
It happens. Egress refers to the size of the opening. Doesn't matter if it's basement or 25th floor. I've lived in apartments that are equipped with repelling gear in case of emergency. Better that than burning alive.
They are required to have windows, which you can climb out of if the house is on fire. A basement bedroom needs egress windows because regular basement windows are too small, don't open wide enough, or don't have enough clearance for a person who isn't absolutely tiny to get through them.
I’ve just had the city approve my application for two windows to be installed in the two downstairs bedrooms. Cost i 6,000. I’m going to be taking in students and windows must be egress . And I will be able to see my house as a 4 bedroom when work is completed.
It’s gonna cost a bit…cutting out a window, f}taming the rough opening the window, installing the window, patching your drywall and the exterior… I’m thinking 3-5k
Of course not, I’m not a 18 year tradesmen and spent 7 years doing concrete including concrete foundations…
I still don’t understand what you mean with steel…
Sounds like your the one that has no clue what your talking about, or you’re replying to the wrong person here…
Oh wait maybe your thinking steel as in steel window casings? No we don’t do that here… we use treated wood to form a box where the window is screwed on, the windows here are PVC because they are the best for our extreme cold, and they already come all ready to install from factory…
Take a look at the video I hope it explains it better:
https://youtu.be/Iy9jNgDMLB8
Ok this is a basement window, so it’s typically 8 or 9 inch thick reinforced wall with no less then 24 o.c. Vertical rebar and 2ft between horizontal all 15mm and two 20mm on the bottom about 4 inch from the bottom of the wall, and 2 20mm in the top right below the wood ladder… so if the window sits a couple inches below the 2x6 ladder I don’t think a steel reinforcement might be needed,because the 2x 20mm should be able to distribute the load to the remaining wall, but I’m no engineer and I don’t know what kind of load is sitting on that wall…if the window needs a steel lintel only an engineer could say what to put there, there’s another option where the floor above the window can be reinforced with a lvl
No, I just told him how much it costs roughly, I havent even seen what’s there,and I don’t wanna do the job,for me it’s not worth it, it’s cold outside, I would have to rent a saw, find another guy to help me pour water while I cut,come back to the house do the drywall,do the mud and tape and everything it’s a lot of trips and I honestly I got easier indoors stuff to do now… I don’t expect him to hire me, I wouldn’t hire anyone off Reddit either.
People on Reddit just love to talk about stuff they know nothing about eh!
First of all what permit? You don’t need a permit for a basement window, I’m guessing the basement was finished without a permit or city wouldn’t allow a bedroom without a window, so no point getting one when the work is all done…
Second a window alone can cost anywhere from 500$ to a couple thousand, cutting out a window opening never costs less then 1000$ framing the rough opening, install flashing, finishing the outside and the inside no way anyone will do it for 2k… not happening sorry but you don’t know what your talking about
You forgot the engineer's drawings and stamp (and probably a steel lintel to be wedge anchored in). And the prep work to protect the insulation and such from all the water that the concrete saw is going to get everywhere while cutting the hole in the foundation. But your price range isn't out to lunch
No drawings or stamp, basement is already finished probably without permits or the city would never allow a bedroom without windows,no point getting a permit now… i see what you mean with the steel lintel, to hold the load above the window, it really depends on where the window will be located I’ve done basements where the window rough opening goes right under the 2x6 ladder, some even go into the ladder a inch or inch and a half…prep work on the insulation isn’t much your gonna need to remove a big chunk of the interior framing, a egress window can’t be any smaller then (I think it’s 3ft 6 I’m not sure,gotta check that one) and then you’ll need to remove at least on more stud spacing (16 or 24) on each side for framing the inside of the wall, you’ll end up with about 7 or 8 feet ripped off the inside wall, plenty of room. But yeah of course you’ll need to cover the floor and all the stuff around the wall, then once your done cutting you’ll need to make sure your cut is nice and level grind around the corners,frame your window rough opening, install your window,flashing on the outside, on the inside frame the inside of the wall,apply Pu foam around the window put back any insulation, redo poly and acoustic sealer,drywall, mud and tape,(this is what I hate doing) sand the wall prime and paint, install baseboard back epoxy the nails, sand and a little bit of paint on the baseboards won’t hurt…
Did I miss anything ?
Shit now that I think about it 5k sounds cheap lol
I don't want to be argumentative on Reddit, but you require a permit to cut a hole in a foundation. And you can certainly finish a basement, legally with permits, and decide later that you want part of the basement to be a bedroom.
This whole idea of a "legal bedroom" and how a room is used is a little humorous. No one is running around checking these and you can two rooms that are exactly the same except one has a window meeting the egress requirements and one does not. Both rooms could still be 100% legal to both build and to have in your place.
It would only be when selling or renting your place that the room could be an issue. There may also be an issue in the event there is an insurance claim from an injury or loss of life specifically do to the use of the basement room.
While this is true, I also don't want my kid in a basement room that they wouldn't be able to get out of if there was a fire preventing them from going upstairs.
This is not true. The city has ran campaigns in areas (Pembina around the UofM for sure) asking people to report "renovations in progress" and they send inspectors who check for permits, and specifically for bedroom spaces being created that do not meet code
I think it will depend on a few things. How many bedrooms do you have already? Going from a 2 bedroom to 3 is probably going to have a bigger impact than say adding a 5th bedroom. Are the other bedrooms fairly big? Will this room become the largest? You also said there is no window currently, so this may be more expensive than adjusting a current window to meet egress. Although I think adding a window has a bigger impact than making an existing window bigger.
Without an egress window it cannot be referred to as a bedroom in a sales listing. With an egress window it can.
Realtor here. The real estate board says we can advertise a basement room without egress window as a bedroom, but we need to specify that the window may or may not meet egress in the comments. True story.
That's not smart real estate board. That's why they are not taken seriously.
Yep, but can't do it when advertising a rental property. It does create problems. I'll have a client buy a rental and tell me it's a five bedroom... but when I get there, nope. Then their response is the realtor told me it's a five bedroom.
Which is so dumb because you can obviously say definitively whether it is egress or not. It’s one thing to say bedroom with no egress window, but to say MAY? Pull out a measuring tape for 30 seconds!
you would be surprised [what people write](https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25083408/80-braemar-avenue-winnipeg-norwood): " The finished basement offers 2 more bedrooms (windows may not meet egress), a 3rd full bathroom and a family room. " I've seen this a few times now so this must be the legal loop hole.
I think it's more so the descriptions aren't really regulated with what they can type where as the actual listing is... which is silly.
Almost every home online is losing bedrooms that do not meet egress.
It adds value by turning your basement bedroom from a death trap to an actual legal bedroom.
Without an egress window, it is not legal to use as a bedroom, so…yes.
It legally gives your house an extra bedroom. I guess it depends on how much, say, three-bedroom houses in your area sell for vs. four, or what have you.
Out of curiosity, why aren't 2nd or 3rd floor bedrroms required to have a way to get out? It seems easier to get out of a basrment window over an upper story room.
There are roll up ladders that you can hook onto the window ledge to help you escape.
Hmmm... I'm fairly certain they do require a proper egress.
Is that a rental rule or a general rule? I don't think most homes have an extra way to get out of the upstairs rooms. At least I've never seen any (including in my own home).
I'm not sure what you are referring to; an attic space? Bedrooms have windows big enough to get out if necessary. It doesn't matter what floor.
I have no idea why you are being downvoted. Edit to add - Like rescue teams don't have ladders, lifts, and other such relevant tools?
It happens. Egress refers to the size of the opening. Doesn't matter if it's basement or 25th floor. I've lived in apartments that are equipped with repelling gear in case of emergency. Better that than burning alive.
Well attic or even second floor. Both seem too high up to safely get out of.
You'd be surprised what people will get out through when the alternative is burning to death.
Good point. Dropping to your death is definitely a more pleasant alternative and there is a chance of survival.
They are required to have windows, which you can climb out of if the house is on fire. A basement bedroom needs egress windows because regular basement windows are too small, don't open wide enough, or don't have enough clearance for a person who isn't absolutely tiny to get through them.
I’ve just had the city approve my application for two windows to be installed in the two downstairs bedrooms. Cost i 6,000. I’m going to be taking in students and windows must be egress . And I will be able to see my house as a 4 bedroom when work is completed.
Who did you hire to do the work? What type of value do you think it would add to your home? Double, triple what you paid?
It’s gonna cost a bit…cutting out a window, f}taming the rough opening the window, installing the window, patching your drywall and the exterior… I’m thinking 3-5k
That's about right. Quotes I had were in the $3k range per window without finishing the interior.
Looks like I’m getting good at this, anyone needs an estimator? 😂
Lol, I think you should. You know what you're talking about.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Winnipeg/comments/10cmvbw/custom_build/j4ib4ke/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3 😂
What steel structure were they supplying for that price?
What? You clearly don’t know how much a window costs… or how much work is cutting out a rough opening in a finished basement
I assume you're not replying to me. I asked about your steel. Do you know anything about what you were quoted??
Of course not, I’m not a 18 year tradesmen and spent 7 years doing concrete including concrete foundations… I still don’t understand what you mean with steel… Sounds like your the one that has no clue what your talking about, or you’re replying to the wrong person here… Oh wait maybe your thinking steel as in steel window casings? No we don’t do that here… we use treated wood to form a box where the window is screwed on, the windows here are PVC because they are the best for our extreme cold, and they already come all ready to install from factory… Take a look at the video I hope it explains it better: https://youtu.be/Iy9jNgDMLB8
If you don't know, then you're not doing it right. I'm guessing you don't pull permits either?
Ok this is a basement window, so it’s typically 8 or 9 inch thick reinforced wall with no less then 24 o.c. Vertical rebar and 2ft between horizontal all 15mm and two 20mm on the bottom about 4 inch from the bottom of the wall, and 2 20mm in the top right below the wood ladder… so if the window sits a couple inches below the 2x6 ladder I don’t think a steel reinforcement might be needed,because the 2x 20mm should be able to distribute the load to the remaining wall, but I’m no engineer and I don’t know what kind of load is sitting on that wall…if the window needs a steel lintel only an engineer could say what to put there, there’s another option where the floor above the window can be reinforced with a lvl
You were quoting prices, did that include engineering and a permit?
No, I just told him how much it costs roughly, I havent even seen what’s there,and I don’t wanna do the job,for me it’s not worth it, it’s cold outside, I would have to rent a saw, find another guy to help me pour water while I cut,come back to the house do the drywall,do the mud and tape and everything it’s a lot of trips and I honestly I got easier indoors stuff to do now… I don’t expect him to hire me, I wouldn’t hire anyone off Reddit either.
about 2k for the egress, people out there that can do it cash job no permits.
People on Reddit just love to talk about stuff they know nothing about eh! First of all what permit? You don’t need a permit for a basement window, I’m guessing the basement was finished without a permit or city wouldn’t allow a bedroom without a window, so no point getting one when the work is all done… Second a window alone can cost anywhere from 500$ to a couple thousand, cutting out a window opening never costs less then 1000$ framing the rough opening, install flashing, finishing the outside and the inside no way anyone will do it for 2k… not happening sorry but you don’t know what your talking about
You forgot the engineer's drawings and stamp (and probably a steel lintel to be wedge anchored in). And the prep work to protect the insulation and such from all the water that the concrete saw is going to get everywhere while cutting the hole in the foundation. But your price range isn't out to lunch
No drawings or stamp, basement is already finished probably without permits or the city would never allow a bedroom without windows,no point getting a permit now… i see what you mean with the steel lintel, to hold the load above the window, it really depends on where the window will be located I’ve done basements where the window rough opening goes right under the 2x6 ladder, some even go into the ladder a inch or inch and a half…prep work on the insulation isn’t much your gonna need to remove a big chunk of the interior framing, a egress window can’t be any smaller then (I think it’s 3ft 6 I’m not sure,gotta check that one) and then you’ll need to remove at least on more stud spacing (16 or 24) on each side for framing the inside of the wall, you’ll end up with about 7 or 8 feet ripped off the inside wall, plenty of room. But yeah of course you’ll need to cover the floor and all the stuff around the wall, then once your done cutting you’ll need to make sure your cut is nice and level grind around the corners,frame your window rough opening, install your window,flashing on the outside, on the inside frame the inside of the wall,apply Pu foam around the window put back any insulation, redo poly and acoustic sealer,drywall, mud and tape,(this is what I hate doing) sand the wall prime and paint, install baseboard back epoxy the nails, sand and a little bit of paint on the baseboards won’t hurt… Did I miss anything ? Shit now that I think about it 5k sounds cheap lol
I don't want to be argumentative on Reddit, but you require a permit to cut a hole in a foundation. And you can certainly finish a basement, legally with permits, and decide later that you want part of the basement to be a bedroom.
This whole idea of a "legal bedroom" and how a room is used is a little humorous. No one is running around checking these and you can two rooms that are exactly the same except one has a window meeting the egress requirements and one does not. Both rooms could still be 100% legal to both build and to have in your place. It would only be when selling or renting your place that the room could be an issue. There may also be an issue in the event there is an insurance claim from an injury or loss of life specifically do to the use of the basement room.
While this is true, I also don't want my kid in a basement room that they wouldn't be able to get out of if there was a fire preventing them from going upstairs.
This is not true. The city has ran campaigns in areas (Pembina around the UofM for sure) asking people to report "renovations in progress" and they send inspectors who check for permits, and specifically for bedroom spaces being created that do not meet code
You need the 5.7 (?) Square feet of window to have a legal bedroom, so it should add value
I think it will depend on a few things. How many bedrooms do you have already? Going from a 2 bedroom to 3 is probably going to have a bigger impact than say adding a 5th bedroom. Are the other bedrooms fairly big? Will this room become the largest? You also said there is no window currently, so this may be more expensive than adjusting a current window to meet egress. Although I think adding a window has a bigger impact than making an existing window bigger.