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Enclosing a patio for additional interior space

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#22 ·
You guys are all assuming this is conditioned space like an addition.

The OP should make clear what the desired outcome actually is. I see this and I read the OP and the description says "enclosed space". The first thing I think of when that is called out is not heated interior space....more like and enclosed porch three season space.

So what kind of space are they desiring?
 
#24 ·
Mr Latone said:
You guys are all assuming this is conditioned space like an addition.

The OP should make clear what the desired outcome actually is. I see this and I read the OP and the description says "enclosed space". The first thing I think of when that is called out is not heated interior space....more like and enclosed porch three season space.

So what kind of space are they desiring?
Click to expand...
Good point.
Closed in means many things.
 
#29 ·
Avoid the job. Bad choices were already made by the owner and you don’t want your name mixed into it. Refer the owner to a larger contractor for many of the above said reasons: low clearance, no vapor barrier, no load bearing foundation, poor concept.

To make the concept realistic would require more time and money. The patio and the extended roof would need to be torn up and replaced with a real addition. Building codes and the permit process exist to prevent exactly your situation.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
They want an enclosed, heated utility space for laundry machines. I told the homeowner the slab wouldn't suffice for a foundation. He then took the liberty to contact the head building inspector, upon which he was approved to continue building this space. He wants an estimate. The consensus seems to be that I should walk away. Is it possible to complete this job in a way that is up to par?
 
#32 ·
It depends how low the bar is set.

I am quite happy to meet the low expectations of my clients.

Are they expecting a space they can walk out to in the dead of winter in their socks and be comfortable?

Do they want a finished floor?

If they want a fast and dirty enclosure with a cadet heater that they don’t spend any time in, I might give a quote.

If They want to put a rocking chair in there and sit next to a fireplace insert, I would run.

The problem is generally, they will want to use it as living space.

I’ve seen nothing but trouble with low pitched roofs over concrete slabs being enclosed. Roof leaks, cold and moist from the slab, and dark because they didn’t want the expense of windows.

Roof leaks now don’t matter. But If you finish it, you own it. How will the new conditioned space’s roof be ventilated?


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#34 ·
NHHM said:
They want an enclosed, heated utility space for laundry machines. I told the homeowner the slab wouldn't suffice for a foundation. He then took the liberty to contact the head building inspector, upon which he was approved to continue building this space. He wants an estimate. The consensus seems to be that I should walk away. Is it possible to complete this job in a way that is up to par?
Click to expand...


If you don’t know how to do it, how are gonna do it? 🙄

Come back here every day and have us hold your hand every step of the way?
 
#35 ·
We're you planning on getting building permits? Because there are a lot of potential problems and liabilities the way you are explaining this job. A patio slab is not a structural foundation for a house, you need footings and frost line depth, if you want to do it legal anyways. I'd be leery about the way the existing roof is attached as well, someone remodeled it before. Go to the building department and ask if there are any records of past remodels for that house, make sure that roof was approved and signed off on inspection. Connecting the wall to the existing house would be the least of my concern, that's easy, some demo and some framing. Sounds like you might be just wasting your time with this project but I don't know where you are with the permitting process.
 
#36 ·
did you end up going through with the enclosure? I’ve been looking into a similar project and wondered how the permit process played out for you. Also curious how you handled the insulation and whether it triggered any HVAC adjustments. Anyone else here tackled this recently and can share how inspectors viewed it?
 
#37 · (Edited)
I had a similar project last year and ended up redoing part of it because I didn’t plan enough for insulation and proper drainage. Definitely double-check how your local codes treat conditioned spaces. For some outdoor furniture ideas that still work if you're transitioning from patio to enclosed space, I found a few decent options on this site while figuring out layout.
 
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Teh Swede
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