Thinking about turning that unfinished basement in Peachtree City into a comfortable living space? You’re not alone. Many Fayette County homeowners want extra room for a media den, guest suite, or home office, and they want to do it right. In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect from permits and inspections, which code items matter most, how appraisers treat finished basements, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Let’s dive in.
What to expect locally
Finishing a basement here typically requires a building permit and staged inspections. Peachtree City addresses are handled by the City’s building department, while properties outside city limits fall under Fayette County. Georgia uses state-adopted building codes based on the International Codes, and local officials apply those rules with any local procedures.
Basements are less common than in some northern states, so drainage, HVAC, and insulation often need extra attention. Before you plan finishes and furniture, you’ll want to confirm who issues your permit and what they require.
Confirm your jurisdiction
Your first step is to verify whether your property is inside Peachtree City limits or in unincorporated Fayette County. The correct office will guide you on forms, submittal standards, and inspection scheduling. If you’re unsure, call the city’s Building & Permits division or the Fayette County Building Inspections office and confirm your address coverage.
Permits and plan review
A basement finish is usually treated as an alteration that needs a building permit. This protects your safety, helps with insurance, and prevents issues at resale.
Plan to provide:
- Completed permit application
- Scaled floor plans (existing and proposed) showing walls, doors, windows, stairs, and room uses
- Structural details for any beam cuts or load changes
- Electrical layout and panel updates
- Plumbing layout for new baths or drains
- HVAC plan for duct extensions or new equipment
- Insulation and energy code documentation
- Egress and smoke/CO alarm locations
Permit fees are typically based on project value and may include a plan review charge. Some jurisdictions require licensed trades to submit certain parts, so ask about licensing rules early.
Inspections timeline
Expect staged inspections. A typical sequence includes:
- Footing or foundation (only if structural changes)
- Rough framing
- Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
- Insulation and air sealing (energy code)
- Drywall or nailing review when applicable
- Final electrical, plumbing, mechanical
- Final building approval and your final sign-off
Plan review can take a few days to several weeks. Construction can range from 4 to 12 weeks or more, depending on scope. Inspectors usually need 24 to 48 hours notice to schedule.
Basement bedrooms and egress
If you plan to add a bedroom, egress is a must. Bedrooms in a basement typically need an emergency escape and rescue opening, such as an egress window or exterior door. Common requirements include:
- Minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet
- Minimum opening height of 24 inches and width of 20 inches
- Sill height no higher than 44 inches above finished floor
- Window wells that allow exit and include a ladder or steps if deeper than 44 inches
A basement room without compliant egress cannot be counted as a legal bedroom, which can affect your appraisal and MLS description.
Ceiling height and layout
Habitable rooms commonly require at least 7 feet of ceiling height, with limited allowances for beams or ducts. Low headroom can shrink the area that counts as living space and reduce usability. Plan soffits carefully and keep traffic paths clear to maintain comfortable circulation.
Alarms, electrical, and plumbing
Your finished basement must meet life-safety and modern electrical standards:
- Install smoke detectors on every level and in or near sleeping areas; CO alarms are typically required where fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage are present. Interconnection and power source need to follow code.
- Electrical upgrades often include AFCI and GFCI protection and may require panel capacity review if you add a bathroom or kitchenette.
- New bathrooms must meet plumbing requirements for venting, drain sizing, and fixture clearances. Some conditions call for trap primers or backflow protection.
Moisture, drainage, and radon
A dry, conditioned space is critical. Inspectors look for effective waterproofing, vapor barriers, and correct drainage such as sump pumps or interior systems where needed. Finishing over a damp slab without addressing water sources invites mold and inspection issues. While Georgia does not uniformly require radon mitigation, testing is a smart step that many buyers and appraisers view positively.
Energy code and HVAC
You’ll document insulation R-values and air sealing to show energy code compliance. Extending ductwork or adding equipment may be required to heat and cool the new space properly. Undersized systems create comfort problems and can fail inspection.
Stairs and fire safety
Stairways must meet dimensional rules for treads, risers, headroom, and handrails. Some projects require fire-resistance-rated separation between the basement and the level above. Your plan reviewer will tell you what applies based on your scope.
Insurance and disclosure
Notify your homeowner’s insurance before starting. Unpermitted work can create coverage problems or claims denials. At resale, unpermitted finishes often trigger lender or appraiser concerns and can delay or derail closing.
Appraisal and resale in Fayette County
Appraisers typically separate above-grade living area from finished basement area. Below-grade space is usually valued at a discount compared to above-grade square footage, and the exact impact depends on neighborhood trends and buyer demand.
Legal bedrooms with compliant egress and added bathrooms tend to increase value more than open space alone. A dry basement with visible code compliance and final approvals gives buyers confidence. Walk-out access can also improve appeal.
Features that add value
Consider these value boosters as you design:
- Compliant egress for any sleeping rooms
- Full bathroom if feasible
- Quality finishes and adequate ceiling height
- Dryness and sealing with a documented track record
- HVAC integration sized for comfort
- Exterior entrance or walk-out when available
Costs and timeline basics
Budgets vary by scope and finishes. A basic open-room finish sits at the lower end, adding a bedroom and bath moves into mid-range, and a kitchenette or custom upgrades land on the higher end. Smaller projects without structural changes may take 4 to 8 weeks, while more complex builds can run 8 to 16 weeks or longer.
Choose the right contractor
Select pros who understand below-grade construction and local inspections. Ask for:
- Proof of insurance and any required city or county licenses
- Local references and recent basement projects in Peachtree City or Fayette County
- A clear written scope with line-item pricing and a change-order process
- Confirmation of who pulls permits and manages inspections
- Warranties and a realistic schedule
Avoid common pitfalls
Steer clear of these issues that hurt value and delay completion:
- Starting without permits
- Designing bedrooms without compliant egress
- Ignoring moisture or drainage problems
- Undersizing HVAC or skipping duct modifications
- Accepting poor lighting or tight headroom
- Using materials that trap moisture below grade
Pre-application checklist
Bring these to your permit office or contractor meeting:
- Property address and parcel ID
- Simple site plan or lot sketch
- Existing basement photos and layout, including mechanicals and any water staining
- Proposed floor plan with room labels, windows, doors, and bath locations
- Names and license numbers for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades
- Questions to ask officials: which office issues your permit, plan detail requirements, trade licensing rules, inspection steps and scheduling, local code amendments, and any pre-submittal review options
Pre-final inspection checklist
Confirm these before calling for finals:
- Egress openings meet size and height rules, with window-well ladders as needed
- Interconnected smoke and CO alarms are installed as required
- Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections are passed
- Insulation and air sealing pass the energy inspection
- Moisture control measures are in place and functioning
- Final building approval is documented, and you retain receipts, warranties, and as-builts
Your next steps
If you handle the basics upfront, you’ll save time, money, and stress. Confirm jurisdiction, design for egress and headroom, plan for moisture control, and make sure your HVAC and energy documentation are in order. The result is a safe, comfortable space that supports resale.
If you’re weighing ROI or planning to sell after your project, we can help you strategize timing, features, and comps specific to your neighborhood in Peachtree City and greater Fayette County. Reach out to The Hayes Team for local guidance and a smooth path from project to market.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to finish a basement in Peachtree City?
- Yes. Basement finishes are typically treated as alterations that require a building permit and staged inspections.
Who issues my permit if I live near the city boundary?
- Confirm whether your address is inside Peachtree City limits; the city handles those permits, while unincorporated properties use Fayette County’s building department.
What makes a basement bedroom “legal” in Georgia?
- A sleeping room generally needs a compliant emergency escape and rescue opening with minimum sizes, height limits, and proper window-well access if below grade.
Will my finished basement square footage count like upstairs space?
- Appraisers usually value finished basements separately from above-grade living area and at a lower rate per square foot, with exact impact driven by local comps.
Should I test for radon before finishing the basement?
- Georgia does not uniformly require it, but testing is recommended; many buyers and appraisers view documented results favorably.
How long does the inspection process take?
- Plan review can take days to weeks; inspections occur in stages during construction, and most offices ask for 24 to 48 hours to schedule.
Can I do the electrical or plumbing work myself?
- Some jurisdictions require licensed trades for certain scopes or permit submittals; confirm local licensing rules before you start.
Will finishing my basement affect insurance?
- Yes. Notify your insurer before work begins; unpermitted projects can cause coverage problems or claim issues later.
