Basics of Finishing a Basement in Windsor

Permitting Your Basement Finish

In the Town of Windsor residential alterations require a permit, including a basement finish. While not pulling a permit may be tempting, consider the consequences of not getting and finalizing the right permits. Not permitting your remodeling project is short sighted since when the time comes to sell your home the added space will not only be not allowable as finished space and if flagged will require an inspection from the municipality and they are likely to demand access to every wire, wall and pipe that is down there. So biggest of the Windsor basement finish requirements? Definitely do not neglect the proper permits!!

Licensed Tradespeople

While many towns allow for homeowners to perform tasks usually restricted to trained, licensed and insured professionals. It is certainly not recommended! While doing your own electrical is not exactly rocket building, a poor connection, wrong breakers, improper circuits could certainly lead to headaches, re-inspections, and even worse dangers.

In Windsor contractors and tradespeople are required to register with the city, have the necessary licenses and insurance in order to pull the necessary permits and properly perform the work.

Floating Walls in Windsor

While the handout makes no mention of floating walls in the town of Windsor, they are definitely required by the town. In our experience, regardless of what the local code requires, if you are on the front range then floating walls are essential. The issue is that our expansive soils (Click HERE for more information) can cause minor to sever damage to your home if walls are installed direct from the cement to the floor joists above.

When the time comes to begin your basement finish project in Windsor, make sure to reach out to us for all of your basement finish needs otherwise you are welcome to these Windsor basement finish requirements and resources!

Resources

More information on expansive soils

The Town of Windsor basement requirements handout

Windsor’s building and permit home page

If you want documentation, here is the newsletter from the town stating the need for floating walls