House Hack- Adding a 2nd Bedroom (Advice Needed)

[Grant Viola]

Hey Chicago Investors,

So good news, I have closed on my first property here in Chicago. I couldn't have done this without the bigger pockets community, and supplemental materials provided to me by this site and its members. So thank you!
I have my inspection on Tuesday, and official closing day in November if all goes well. This is a spacious 1 bed 1 bath, and I am looking to turn this into a 2 bed 1 bath. The dining room is very large, so I am planning to add a bedroom and create the remaining space as a hallway for both bedrooms. I will live in one room, and rent out the other. 

If any of you know the legality around this, HOA regulations, any helpful documents, advice, pricing estimates, or contractors you recommend for a job like this, I would love any advice I can get. Since there are no windows in this room, I will be making sure there is a gap from the ceiling to wall. Should I make this a "legal" 2nd bedroom. Or just get it built and call it a den. What is the best route for this project?

Thank you in advance! 

More Info--

3 story building
Part of HOA
Dining room is 11x15.2
Hallway will be 3 feet
Cook County (Near Wrigley)
I am willing to help contractors in any way to reduce price. 

[Frank Geiger]

I can’t help you with referring contractors but you want to submit any permits you need on day one. You don’t want to skip this step. When it comes to sell, you’ll have a hell of a time. A good contractor can do this no problem and get a hard copy of the permit. Good luck with the house

[Frank S.]

Get an architect, this should be cheap.  How many square feet is the original bedroom? 

[Grant Viola]

Originally posted by @Frank S.:

Get an architect, this should be cheap.  How many square feet is the original bedroom? 

The original bedroom is 10.8X 7.5!

[Grant Viola]

Originally posted by @Frank Geiger:

I can’t help you with referring contractors but you want to submit any permits you need on day one. You don’t want to skip this step. When it comes to sell, you’ll have a hell of a time. A good contractor can do this no problem and get a hard copy of the permit. Good luck with the house

Hey Frank, 

Thank you for your reply! Do you mean submit for permits on the day of closing? Or submit permits after the inspection. 

Should I find a contractor before or after I submit the permits. And yes, I can imagine if I was in a pinch and needed to sell but didn't have permits, that would not be a fun time. 

Thank you for your help! Any info/advice is very welcomed here. 

[Frank S.]

Your minimum bedroom size shall be 70 S.F per code.  Call any good contractor for a quote. They will give you  more info.

You need S.F., ventilation, heat, and electric.

Good luck, 

[Jonathan Klemm]

@Grant Viola - First off congrats on the upcoming closing! Everyone else on the thread is right on track. However, the first thing you'll need to do is read the HOA bylaws and understand what type of construction can be done to the units. Once you are clear on the HOA, then you need to talk to an architect @Prashanth Mahakali is a great architect who would likely be happy to help draw this up and submit for permits.  Finally,  you will need to hire a contractor.  I've got a good one in mind for this type of project.  Also, about making the bedroom legal - I would definitely make sure you do this for resale value.

PM me and I can provide contact info for both architect and contractor.