"Beta-42" wrote in message
...
I have a property that has an outdoor concrete stairway that leads to a
basement entrance. The steps run down below grade along the back wall of
the basement to a landing, and then by turning right one can enter the
basement through a door in the back wall. The landing is about 18 inches
above the basement floor level, so after entering the basement door, there
are 2 or 3 steps down to the basement floor.

What I would like to do is add a few more steps down along the back
basement wall, beginning at the end of the first landing (where the
existing door is), and then create a second landing that is about 18
inches lower than the first landing. Where the new landing will be, I
would like to add a second entrance to the basement.

The present concrete steps and landing are bordered by a concrete block
wall -- one along the side of the steps, and one at the end of the
existing landing at the bottom of the steps. The new design will require
knocking out the concrete block wall at the end of the existing landing to
continue the new run of steps down to the new (second) entrance to the
basement.

The existing landing has a floor drain that I think goes to a French drain
type of setup under the basement floor. It doesn't go to any sewer line.
What I think I would like to do is have the existing floor drain and the
new floor drain for the new landing go to a similar French drain type of
setup under the basement floor which also can drain into a new sump pump
pit that I will have installed.

If it's a straight-forward job, I may just go ahead and do it myself with
the help of a friend. Or, I could get some estimates from concrete
contractors and see what they say needs to be done. If the concrete
contractors know what they are doing and it doesn't cost too much, I may
just have them do it -- but I have a hunch that they will want a lot more
than I would want to pay when I could do it myself for a lot less.

The part of all of this that I don't know about is how the new landing and
new added concrete block surrounding and retaining wall should be built.
In other words, is there a certain type or amount of footing that needs to
go under the new section of retaining wall? And, is there anything
special that needs to go under the new landing, other than a stone base
underneath? Is rebar required anywhere?


What can you do for a lot less? This is a very physical job and also
requires some skill and experience.

In NJ plans would have to be submitted to the building department indicating
the below the frost line footings as well as the lintel or other means to
support the building above the new doorway. They don't like uncoated rebar
in the footings here. I suggest that you check with your building
department as requirements vary from state to state.