How to build a Secondary Basement Suite in Edmonton and surrounding cities?
Secondary basement suites in Edmonton have gained skyrocketing popularity in the city over the last decade. The suites increasingly have become sought-after commodities for a range of homeowners and investors, often built within the surroundings of a larger residential property. For many, the appeal of these suites would lay not so much in the potential for additional rental income but also that they could have a socio-economic impact on a larger community. Secondary suites offer instrumental tools in diversifying neighbourhood populations, enhancing cash flow and employing homeowners with their mortgages through providing affordable housing options that contribute to local economies. However, incredible the advantages can become, a secondary suite journey is complex. This will outline every step of making a secondary suite to save for prospective home homeowners and investors through this rewarding venture.
Here is the list you have to prepare-
Blueprint (Elevations and Floor Plan)
RPR or Real Property Report
Master Electrician
Journeyman Plumber and Gas
Journeyman HVAC
Finishing Trades
Blueprint
A blueprint is more than merely paper; a few scribbles and dimensions inked upon it; a blueprint is a vision. When considering a Secondary Suite in a city like Edmonton, this document becomes an essential conduit of communication between the homeowner and the City's Development Authority regarding the issues, requirements or guidelines provided therein. Therefore, mastery of the language and nuances of the blueprint is imperative.
Every line, notation, and symbol speaks a lot to unfold the healthy thought complications of design, practicalities of constructions, and adherence to regulations and standards. The blueprint is, in essence - a visual language and fluency in using this language is the key to communicating the intentions clearly and unambiguously. Making sure things are right in the blueprint can save homeowners time, money, and, even more importantly – the potential for frustrations.
Any confusion and misunderstandings can result in lengthy exchanges with the Development Authority and primary delays in approvals and construction. A well-planned and conceptualized comprehensive and lucid blueprint eases off the approval process and paves the way for smoother construction management. While the blueprint may seem like a highly technical and even intimidating document, it is a tool to facilitate effective communication.
It bridges your vision of the Secondary Suite and the City's understanding of that vision. Ensuring clarity and precision in this dialogue is critical to a successful project outcome.
Real Property Report (RPR)
An RPR stands for Real Property Report, and it shows the boundaries of the land with all the enhancements and additions on the land, like a house and a garage.
It shows the entire lot, legal description of the property, property lines and identification, and dimensions of setbacks of all buildings from the property line.
You will have to point out the location of the secondary suite and main suite and all parking spaces (depending on the City).
Did you know that unlike cities such as St. Albert and Leduc, Edmonton doesn't require an additional parking space for Secondary Suites?
An example below shows a new Concrete Driveway that was built for a Secondary Basement Suite in St. Albert.
Master Electrician
Master Electrician is a designation awarded under the Certification and Permit Regulation. In Alberta, only Master Electricians awarded a Certificate of Competency by the Safety Codes Council can obtain electrical permits (other than homeowners).
ALIS Alberta, Electrical Contractor/ Master Electrician, accessed 22 October 2023, <https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/electrical-contractor-master-electrician/>.
Like any other city, Edmonton will have a set of building and electrical codes. A master electrician will be aware of these codes, and he will make sure all work is in line. This is important not only for the purpose of safety but also for making the legal validity of the basement suite.
The City mandates inspection for approval of all electrical works. This helps ensure that the work meets necessary codes and standards of safety. A master electrician will know the process of inspection, and be able to assure that the work will pass inspection the first time.
It's crucial for your electrical team to conduct the Load Calculation accurately. This will ascertain whether the existing Service Panel has the capacity to accommodate adding a new Secondary Basement Suite. Failure to do so can increase cost and project timeline.
Journeyman Plumber and Gas
Plumbing entails intricate work, dealing both with water and gas lines. Improper work poses issues such as leaks causing damage or even explosions in the case of gas. With the knowledge of a journeyman plumber, all installations are guaranteed to meet local safety standards perfectly.
Edmonton has codes and plumbing standards that must be adhered to. A journeyman plumber knows these regulations in detail and will see that all the work done regarding plumbing in the basement suite complies with those regulations. This not only guarantees the safety of the residents but also prevents possible legal issues and fines in the future.
Although hiring someone with less expertise or trying to do a DIY might seem cost-effective, the plumbing mistakes may result in costly repairs in the long run. Due to their level of knowledge, journeyman plumber is often successful in completing the task efficiently, reducing the chances of future mistakes.
Journeyman HVAC
A separate, independently controlled heating/ventilation system must serve the secondary suite, and may not be interconnected/ducted with the remainder of the house. A heat source alone, without ventilation, is not sufficient. The typical solutions are:
a separate forced-air furnace for the suite, with independent, dedicated ductwork,
hydronic radiant heating and independent ventilation such as heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or
electric baseboard heating with independent ventilation, such as an HRV.
City of Edmonton, Secondary Suite Design Guide, accessed 22 October 2023, <https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/assets/PDF/Secondary_Suite_Design_Guide.pdf>.
A Journeyman HVAC will discuss these options to determine the best option for the Secondary Suite. They will also help figure out where the heating/ventilation system will be installed in the Mechanical Room and where the exhausts and intake will be placed outside. Your HVAC team must understand proper clearances for both intakes and exhausts, or otherwise, it can pose a problem regarding City inspections.
Finishing Trades
Finishing trades include the following teams of people: framing, insulation, drywalling, flooring, cabinet making, millwork, tile, and many others. Most people in such groups might not have formal education from trade schools, yet they need expertise and knowledge to perform their jobs well. It is important to put such tradespeople through a rigorous interview, as the job they will be doing will be prominently visible once the project is done.
