How to Convert Steel Buildings to Houses
- 1). Contact your local county code enforcement office through the local Department of Public Safety (also called Office of Public Safety) to obtain permission to convert the steel building into a house. If they say no, hire a lawyer and file an appeal. Once you receive permission, obtain a list of city regulations for residential remodeling through this office.
- 2). Visit your local registry of deeds and obtain copies of the deeds on the building. Search through them to find the original builder or architect of the building and contact this person to obtain blueprints of the structure. You can also obtain copies of the blueprints from the local county board.
- 3). Hire an inspector to check out the building. Find out what it was originally used for and make sure it is free of contamination. Share your plans to convert it into a residential building and check with the inspector for safety precautions you will need to take.
- 4). Walk through the building with an architect to create a plan. Discuss all of the changes and conversions to the building you would like to make. Submit your plans to your local planning department to obtain a certificate of occupancy.
- 5). Find and hire certified subcontractors in your area who specialize in converting steel buildings into houses. You will also need to hire a structural engineer familiar with steel building conversions to ensure all runs smoothly during construction.
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