When national media comes calling, you know something important is happening in your city.

Late last year, our company, Garage Suites, was featured in a CBC News article about Calgary’s new backyard suite incentive program. The story highlighted how the City of Calgary is looking to double or even triple the number of backyard suites being built, supported by $10 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to help reduce costs for homeowners.

As part of that coverage, CBC turned to our own Jason Battershill, Director of Sales and Marketing, for advice to homeowners considering a backyard suite build.

Cost is the Biggest Barrier to Backyard Suites

“I think that there is a real recognition for the importance of these types of builds to help accommodate housing, keep families close, keep parents close [and] generate secondary income,” said Jason, when asked about why many of our clients are building these projects.

The functionality of backyard suites is second to none. Unlike an apartment, there are no expensive condo fees, the building adds value to your property, and there are no shared walls, making them highly desirable to renters. Many of our clients talk about renting out their backyard suite for several years, generating significant value from the build before moving in themselves or using it for their children.

With the added space on your existing property, the sky is the limit. The value-add of backyard suites is hard to look past for many Calgarians.

Pricing and Underground Power Connections

During the CBC interview, we also explained that cost is one of the biggest deterrents for many homeowners. Typical full-package builds currently start around $200,000 and can reach $300,000 or more, depending on the size and specifications. Also, connecting to underground utilities – particularly underground power services – can cost anywhere between $10,000 to $40,000.

However, it is important to note that very few projects require this type of power connection. If your lot is not in the inner city and has no rear-lane power pole, you’ll likely have to connect to a transformer box using an underground conduit. It is also important to note that, depending on the type of work involved, the utility provider may take responsibility for a share of the cost of the underground power connection.

Thankfully, it is very possible that the city’s incentive program may help with underground utility service costs if they are extensive. We should know about the details soon enough!

Proper Setbacks and Power Poles

We also highlighted another major challenge we help clients navigate every day: setback requirements. Ensuring a suite is the required distance from the main house, neighbouring properties, and existing power lines can be complex, especially for homeowners trying to figure it out on their own. That is exactly where an experienced, specialized builder makes all the difference.

We also outlined some of the ways our company works to reduce costs and make projects more accessible, including offering lower-cost options such as leaving interiors unfinished or built only to the drywall stage, so that homeowners can complete the finishing work themselves if they choose. For many clients, this approach is a practical way to get a high-quality structure built now while spreading out the remaining investment over time.

Get Expert Advice Today!

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Overall, we are extremely excited by the city’s recognition of the role backyard suites can play in addressing the housing crisis. The fact that CBC reached out to our team for expert input reflects our long-standing focus on backyard suites, our hands-on experience with countless projects to date, and our commitment to guiding homeowners through every step of the process.

If you are considering a backyard or garage suite and want high-level advice from an experienced builder, as well as updates on the city’s evolving policies and incentives, we are here to help.

Contact us today to discuss your backyard suite goals – we look forward to it!