I’m eyeballing a duplex in the Ladson area that, if I bought it, I’d need to put a doorway between them since it would be basically a one family home. Otherwise it’s perfect, because the family is me (wife, 2 kids, one on the way) and my mother (would have her own kitchen and wash room).
I haven’t looked at the unit yet, that’s tomorrow. But I’m trying to find out what hurdles I need to jump to put a doorway between them. I’m not sure if there’s a firewall between them.
Do I need to contact the county, or what? I’m not even sure who is supposed to be contacted. I can install the doorway myself, that’s not a problem, and I’m prepared to remove some brick if needed. I just want to make sure I don’t do something that will cause me trouble down the road with the ever-fickle “powers that be”.
Get ahold of the Local Building Inspector for that area. If he signs off on it you should be good. Make sure he says that that it’s OK with local Zoning regs. Get it in writing! Make sure the lock on the door can only be locked from your side:smiley: Good luck with it, Matt!
Thanks Easy, I will pursue that if we decide to buy it.
quote:Originally posted by capnbobo
Having a door to join your house with your mother’s house is almost as good an idea as not having a door there.
so im tole
Lol
The real issue is that Mom can’t take a whole unit. My family is 2 adults and it will be 3 kids by the end of the year. So, basically, we get most of it and Mom gets a nice bedroom and bathroom.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
Check with your insurance company and let them know it will be single family residence.
Will you be able to get that rate if it is listed on county records as a duplex?
Also check with the auditors office to see if you can file for OWNER OCCUPIED single family residence.
That will give you a 4% tax rate vs. 6% on the duplex.
Don’t quote me, but I would think you could put a door in the wall even if it is a Fire Wall? You would have to get a fire rated door at the wall rating or higher, I would think? Might not be the prettiest door.
We looked at it closer and scrapped the idea. I think it would end up becoming a construction nightmare. I didn’t realize that one side was on a slab, the other on a crawl space.
I do appreciate the help here!
Matt
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
Matt buy a house with a garage! Convert the garage into a small apartment for Mom!
Most of the houses we’ve seen have done this, and yes, this is one of the best options we’ve seen. I’m trying not to have to spend a couple grand modifying it, but hey, I’m a carpenter, it’s not like I can’t do it lol.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
