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Finishing A Basement Bedroom - Finally Getting A Round Tuit

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

Finishing a basement bedroom - finally getting a round tuit.

You have heard of the old round tuit.

"I will do (this or that) when I get a round tuit."

The fabled round tuit.

Apparently I found it!  When we built our house 18 years ago we had the builder put a window and HVAC in the basement.   That would enable me to convert this part of the basement into a bona fide bedroom.  It will be our fifth bedroom, so certainly that adds value to the house.

There would be three means of fire egress, one of them being a window large enough to meet the code.  It opens to ground level.

All the bedroom would need now is a smoke detector.

Opening to my famous Redskin room (which I call The Cuchihuasi), the other side will open to the remaining basement family room.

The bedroom will be 14'x16'.

A closet will go on in the corner to the right of the double door.  And a ceiling fan where the light fixture is.  There will be seven receptacles and one switch.

So, what is a cuchihuasi?

When I lived in Ecuador many years ago I learned Spanish (which I still use often conducting home inspections) and Quichua.  That is an Ecuadorian dialect of the broader Quechua.  Essentially it is the Inca language.

Cuchihuasi means "Hog House."  If you know anything about the Washington Redskins, and their history, you know what that means.

Will I be doing this right?

Stuck on my front window is evidence that I pulled a Building and Electrical permit.  I will do the building and wiring, but leave the connections and new circuit installation to an electrician.

That way I am obedient to the law, and complying with my home owner insurance.

The county lady told me that last year there were about 20 house fires just in this county due to amateur electrical installations. 

Insurance would not, and could not, cover those damages.  She said I am being very wise.

My recommendation:  if you are doing home improvements, be smart and only do what you can do!  Leave the necessary to the professionals.  That way there will be no future problems should any issue arise.  And you will be able to sleep at night!

 

 

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments (9)

Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Nice post, thanks for sharing. It makes sense to do it right the first time. 

Apr 04, 2016 08:34 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Jay. Sometimes a professional is just necessary! Enjoy your day!

Apr 04, 2016 08:45 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes, hiring a professional is often the best way to go! I'm glad you found your tuit - I seem to have misplaced a few of those.

Apr 04, 2016 10:04 PM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Did you say Roundup? Ohhhh, round tuit? Of course! 

Good job young man, inspiration to pull permits... and telling all DIY'ers to not try anything they know nothing about... that's a sign of leadership! They should follow....

Apr 04, 2016 11:17 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Peter - that's the best way to do anything!

It is in this case Wayne.  A man's got to know his limitations.

Kat - and all the while it was down there in the basement!

Gotta do what I tell my clients to do Fred!  And, of course, I good boy I.

Apr 05, 2016 01:34 AM
Stephen Weakley
Nationwide Mortgage Services - Rockville, MD

Remember the Riggins/Theismann/Moseley & Hogs days?  That was a great time to be a Redskins fan!  Lately the seasons starts with such high hopes and goes downhill from there.  Some day, some day we will prevail.

Apr 05, 2016 05:50 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Of course I do, Stephen.  I have a Riggins photo in my Cuchihuasi.

A few years ago, before the recent name-change dust up, I wrote this.  You might enjoy:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/3799252/should-the-washington-redskins-change-their-name-

Apr 05, 2016 06:06 AM
DEANNA C. SMITH CERTIFIED MOBILE NOTARY
Certified Mobile Notary Signing Agent - Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Highest Ranked Certified Mobile Notary in Virginia

That county lady only said what we already know Jay Markanich ;

"She said I am being very wise."

Apr 05, 2016 02:56 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Thanks Deanna.  Certainly I will be doing this right!

Apr 05, 2016 07:48 PM