All Forum Posts by: Prashanth Mahakali

@Anthony Mei  tough question to answer without getting more details. You should definitely talk to a good lender if that is how you are going to fund the construction. Then find out if the development would appraise for the value needed by the bank. Once you cross that hurdle, you are clear to continue your due diligence. Assume cost of construction is between $160- $170/sf as a good starting point for your initial numbers. See if it makes sense. 

Hope this helps. Thank you @Henry Lazerow

 thank you @Jonathan Klemm

@Jacques Ikolo   The work you are trying to do does not count as a deconversion permit. The city no longer has specific deconversion permits (to the best of my knowledge) but you do need a  permit with a specific scope of work which would state that you are removing fixtures etc.  Deconversion is specific to removal of a dwelling unit that is not meant to exist in that space. If you believe the bathroom was original or pre-existing, or previously done with a permit, you could most probably get away with an easy permit. The challenge here is to determine if you are converting a room or space that was not meant to be a room for living into a livable space. For eg: if you have an open basement with only a bathroom which you are now converting to a closet, then the surrounding space could be considered as a bedroom or a family room. Light, vent and exit requirements have to be met. This is the worst case scenario.

You can call the city of Chicago's easy permit desk whose number is available online. or you can take a field trip to the 9th floor at city hall.  Hope this helps.

Prashanth

@Jonathan Klemm thank you! Always appreciate the public referral.

@Bobby Schimune good luck on your first

Project. Rather than think of contractors as someone who will “get” you, interview a few and get them to open up on the project. Develop trust over a period of time by meeting them at their job sites. Talking to their clients. Jonathan Klemm will set the standard for you.

With regard to the project, having an Architect is essential for the scope of your project. Reach out to a few and ask them for referrals for contractors. Having a good set of bid documents is essential to get project costs that are accurate. If the drawings have less information then you are having to make decisions during the course of the project. This usually means surprises.

Once you form your reliable team, there is less chance of the project going in a wrong direction.

Good luck!

@Jonathan Klemm thank you! 

@Seb Ko   Your best bet is to get the information directly from the city's landmark staff by emailing them. You can google the Chicago landmarks department and get their email address. The staff are generally  helpful. I would not rely on information that is general since the rules could be quite different based on your property address and the level of landmark status. Good luck! 

@Jonathan Klemm We have one project that is almost complete with the ADU process permit and construction.

Unfortunately, i cant share more information about this particular project than saying it was easy since it was a full on new construction project. Problems arise when you have an existing primary building and you are creating a new rear yard ADU. The most important things to consider for a rear yard ADU are mostly below ground issues:

1. Underground electrical service to the main building and how to split the service panels. Does this mean overhauling the entire electrical service of the main building? 

2. Sewer and water piping and cause for upgrades due to adding a new unit? This will depend on the field inspectors. Logistical issues as to how do you get the water piping from the front building into the rear building or add a separate line outside the front building through the side yard so you don't have to open up the basement slab. 

This is something i have been passionate about from the very beginning. I would only recommend the rear yard ADU project ONLY if you have a higher budget since you WILL have surprises as the pioneer.

@Tom Shallcross thank you!

@Vince Sanchez roof work typically does not need a separate permit unless in certain cases which involves STrucutral work. Work with an Architect who will also pull permits along with drawings. This helps you have one point of contact. Having a great team of professionals around you will make up for your inexperience until you have a few projects under your belt. Good luck!

Thank you @Jonathan Klemm

@Tracie Sanlin Yes. it is a flag to pull multiple easy permits for the same project. The easy permit staff may flag the project as potentially exceeding the scope of an easy permit. So, please be cautious and ask an Architect if your scope of work would require architectural plans. Getting a stop work order is not easy to deal with and you would have to hire an Architect anyway. If you are confident that you would not need plans, just document the project as you work through it. There are documents available online from the Department of Buildings that clearly explain the process. Just google "easy permit process chicago". Good luck! 

@Jonathan Klemm Thank you for the mention!

@Account Closed  It looks like you are doing structural work without a permit. Please confirm. If so, you would have to go through the process and get the stop work order removed by having an Architect submit plans and go through the permit process. It looks like someone called the inspector due to a concern. Is the building occupied while you are performing the work. I would caution you against making contact with the city yourself without getting a professional with you. This is either an Architect or an attorney. Good luck!

@Jonathan Klemm thank you.

@April East I Have done these. Please message me.

@Jonathan Klemm thank you

@Alvin A. Gonzalez start application here

https://webapps4.chicago.gov/eforms/aduapplication

Once you hear back from the ADU department that your project is approved then you can proceed to hire an architect and complete the permit process.

Good luck!