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Top Rated Home Remodeling Contractor in Washington DC,
Arlington VA & Alexandria VA
ARCHITECTURAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (WITH CODES & DIMENSIONS)
1. Do I need a permit for home addition or remodeling?
Answer: Yes. Any structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work requires a permit before work begins.
Code: International Residential Code (IRC) – Section R105
2. Who controls how big my house can be?
Answer: Zoning laws control house size, height, setbacks, and lot coverage.
Code: Local Zoning Code (not IRC)
3. What is the minimum ceiling height for rooms?
Answer: Habitable rooms must have a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet.
Code: IRC – Section R305
4. What is the minimum bedroom size?
Answer:
Minimum bedroom area: 70 square feet
Minimum dimension: 7 feet
Code: IRC – Section R304
5. Do bedrooms need emergency exit windows?
Answer: Yes. Every bedroom must have an emergency escape window or door.
Minimum egress window dimensions:
Minimum clear opening: 5.7 sq ft (5.0 sq ft at grade floor)
Minimum width: 20 inches
Minimum height: 24 inches
Maximum sill height: 44 inches above floor
Code: IRC – Section R310
6. Can I remove any wall inside my house?
Answer: No. Load-bearing walls support the structure and require engineering approval and permits.
Code: IRC – Section R301
7. What code controls stair design?
Answer: Stair height, depth, width, handrails, and landings are strictly regulated.
Stair dimensions:
Maximum riser height: 7 ¾ inches
Minimum tread depth: 10 inches
Minimum stair width: 36 inches
Landings required at top and bottom of stairs
Code: IRC – Section R311
8. Is a handrail required on stairs?
Answer: Yes. Stairs with 4 or more risers must have handrails.
Handrail requirements:
Height: 34–38 inches above stair nosing
Must be continuous along the flight
Code: IRC – Section R311.7.8
9. Do bathrooms need ventilation?
Answer: Yes. Bathrooms must have either an operable window or a mechanical exhaust fan vented outdoors.
Code: IRC – Section R303
10. What are the minimum bathroom clearances?
Answer: Bathroom fixtures must meet minimum spacing requirements.
Bathroom clearance dimensions:
Toilet centerline to side wall: 15 inches minimum
Clear space in front of toilet: 21 inches minimum
Shower interior size: 30 in × 30 in minimum
Clear space in front of bathtub: 21 inches minimum
Code: IRC – Section R307
11. Are smoke detectors required after remodeling?
Answer: Yes. Remodeling often requires smoke alarms to be upgraded and interconnected.
Code: IRC – Section R314
12. Are carbon monoxide detectors required?
Answer: Yes, when the home has fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.
Code: IRC – Section R315
13. What code controls insulation and energy efficiency?
Answer: New construction, additions, and remodeled areas must meet energy-efficiency standards.
Code: International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
14. What code controls window size for light and air?
Answer: Habitable rooms must receive minimum natural light and ventilation.
Window size requirements:
Natural light: window area must be at least 8% of the room’s floor area
Natural ventilation: operable window area must be at least 4% of the room’s floor area
Code: IRC – Section R303
15. Do additions need inspections?
Answer: Yes. Inspections are required at multiple construction stages, including foundation, framing, mechanical, and final.
Code: IRC – Section R109
MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER
🏠 Design must follow CODE first — not style, not budget, not contractor preference.
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As An Experienced, Skill & Independent Company, We Will Renovate Your Home With Extreme Care As If It Were Our Own
DESIGN AND BUILD PROCESS
What is the design/build process anyway? One company controls your entire project from design through construction with Design-Build. The Design-Build construction process eliminates unnecessary aggravation and delays, streamlining the entire home-building system. Many contractors that don’t provide a design/build process let the customer find a designer on their own and work with them separately. Once that design is done, the customer will then need to find a contractor to work with who will build the project. Starting your remodeling project by working with both a designer and a contractor separately, playing the middle man, and trying to make decisions is a challenging way to complete your project. This process is very time-consuming, confusing, and overall very frustrating. At DC-Home Remodeling, we believe the Design/Build process is the most effective model for residential home remodeling and construction. As architects, designers, and builders under one roof, we work with you as a team. DC-Home Remodeling has a united and experienced team from the initial concept through construction, which means that we can identify potential issues before they become problems. Our process will also answer all of our client’s needs, which reduces problems and overall costs. This is how we ensure a smooth remodeling process from start to finish. DC-Home Remodeling is the right contractor for you. Our team is fast, friendly, and professional.
We Provide The Best Architects
- Quality Architect Design
- Deliver Always on Time
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
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- Highly Professional Members
- Professional and Qualified
- we're committed to delivering eye-catching architecture designs