Converting a basement in National City to a rentable unit

[Andrew B.]

I'm closing on a duplex in National City later this month and one of the units has a basement which the current tenants have their parents living in. My wife and I would like to turn it into a legit 3rd 1 or 2 bedroom unit. Its about 700-800 sqft and we understand that this may be a big job - estimating 30-40k. Does anyone have any experience in working with the city for permitting and licensing this type of renovation and does anyone have any contractors/architects/engineers that you would recommend?