How do I Get a Basment to Count Towards Square Footage in CT?

[Jeff G.]

I'm looking at a house right now that has a partially finished basement but it's clear that the square footage in the basement isn't counted towards the total square footage of the house. If I buy it, how do I change that? 

I realize an hatch or an egress window is the first answer. But what else has to happen? What if the work in the basement isn't permitted? If I have an (ugly) hatchway, how expensive is it to convert it to a modern egress window? Is that change a cost effective value add or no?

[Jaron Walling]

Found a simple article showcasing the residential codes for Indiana. Every state is different but one thing that caught my eye is the sill height for a permitted basement window. If a regular window installed costs $385 it's probably 4X that for a basement. 

"shall have a sill height of not more than 44" above the floor; where the sill height is below grade" - Those details matter if you want a legal bedroom added to the property. Best of luck man. 

https://www.thegreategressco.c....