On Oct. 3, an overhaul of New York’s State Building and Fire Safety regulations went into effect. The code changes are expected to raise costs for building homes and home improvements, according to Todd Blackely, a building consultant who instructs builders, contractors, and code enforcement officers. The new codes will require that every new home with a basement is required to have an "egress" window or door, with a drain that hooks into the sump pump. The article outlining more changes in the code can be found here.