Are you thinking about building a backyard suite in Calgary? If so, you’re probably wondering just how much a garage suite or carriage house will cost you.

With dozens of projects in our portfolio to date, we have the knowledge and experience to tell you just how much it will cost to build a garage suite on your property.

Cost of a Calgary Garage Suite

Garage Suites offers several standard packages starting from $205,000 + GST, with larger models starting at $285,000 +GST. Some of our most popular standard plans and their prices (as of September 2024) are as follows:

  • $205,000 – Maisley – ~440 square foot suite, bachelor to one-bedroom suite w/ one-car garage and covered carport
  • $245,000 – Willow – ~550 square foot suite, one bedroom w/ two-car garage
  • $255,000 – Benjamin – ~680 square foot suite, one-bedroom + den option w/ two-car garage
  • $260,000 – Halden – ~600 square foot suite, large one bedroom w/ three-car garage
  • $285,000 – Xavier – 850 square foot suite, up to two bedrooms w/ two-car garage

The most expensive project we’ve taken on to date was in the high $300,000s.

The total cost of your garage suite build depends on a handful of factors such as its size, finishings, and utility connections to name a few. Additionally, many homeowners opt in for upgrades above and beyond our builder’s grade specifications, which may add anywhere from just a few hundred up to several thousand dollars to the cost of your laneway home project.

What Can Change the Cost of My Backyard Suite?

#1 – Customization

Every single project we have built to date has been highly customized to fit the wants and needs of the owner. Therefore, as mentioned above, prices for garage suites can sometimes range much higher than our starting prices of $205,000 to $285,000.

For example, a recent high-end project we have designed and are currently building was priced at just under $290,000 + GST, but our client decided to spend another $70,000 on upgrades, bring the total cost of the project up to nearly $360,000 + GST. This max-sized garage suite features several high-end upgrades including a full James Hardy exterior, black trim triple-pane windows, flat aluminum roof, full glass garage doors, heated flooring, bottom-level office and half bath, and more.

#2 – Lot Challenges

When building a garage suite in Calgary, costs might go up depending on any challenges presented by your lot. A few examples of lot-specific challenges include (but are not limited to):

I. Sloped Lots

If your lot has a slope, you’ll likely need to use retaining walls to prevent water seepage into the foundation of your suite. Typically, we will extend the foundation wall upwards to serve as a retaining wall.

Depending on the type required for your development permit, retaining walls can be a significant charge and drive up the cost of your backyard suite by anywhere from four to five figures.

II. – Utility Connections

Difficult utility connections or old piping are two more challenges that may drive costs up for your laneway home. Older properties are notorious for using cast-iron piping which, if disturbed, may crack. Therefore, these sewer and water lines may need to be replaced entirely because their structural integrity may be compromised. These pipes were used before we knew about the toxicity issue they present as they contain impurities such as lead and iron.

Also, suppose your lot is in a suburban community and is far away from the nearest transformer box – those big green electrical boxes you see around your neighbourhood. In that case, we may need to develop a unique solution so that ENMAX doesn’t have to trench a large distance for a high cost. At the end of the day, any connections to the city’s transformer boxes for power must be reviewed and quoted by ENMAX.

In some instances, we may be able to use gas appliances so that your suite doesn’t need as much power, reducing your costs substantially versus connecting to the power for a 60A to 100A electricity supply. However, we try to provide the full 100A power for your suite in all situations.

III. – Power Pole Replacement

Utility providers present a third challenge that may create additional costs for your garage suite. For example, to meet power pole clearances, ENMAX may require that you relocate or replace a power pole.

While we are aware of distances required between structures and electric poles, sometimes ENMAX may have to step in and relocate a pole altogether, and you won’t have a choice if you want your development permit to pass.

Power pole replacement can cost five figures. We’ve been quoted anywhere from $15,000 to $22,500 for various backyard suite projects that have needed a replacement. However, this rarely happens, so that’s good news!

IV. – Connecting to a Transformer Box

As mentioned above, if you have to connect to a green transformer box for your suite, then this will be an extra cost above and beyond what is included in our standard package.

We have seen ENMAX quotes for this connection range anywhere from $5,000 up to $38,000, which depends on the distance of the box away from the future garage suite, if the lane is paved or not, plus several other factors.

ENMAX will provide you with a quote for your connection to the transformer box once we have your development permit submitted to the city. ENMAX then will evaluate the drawings and request a down payment to initiate the quote process.

V. – Tree Trimming & Removal

A fourth lot challenge that may boost costs is if your suite needs clearing of on-property trees to be built. For example, you may need to remove a large pine tree or have it trimmed to meet the bylaws set forth by the city for clearances.

While trimming a tree may cost you around $800 give or take, cutting down a large tree may cost $2,500 or more if a crane is required to perform the task safely.

More often than not, this type of extra cost is determined after your suite has been surveyed/designed and is in the development permit stage of the process. While we always try to account for these costs up front, sometimes it is hard to do given the difference of opinions in the City Planning Department.

VI. – Extra Permits

If your suite requires a relaxation permit to pass with the city, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars or more for it. Calgary has different fees associated with different permits, so this varies depending on what you’re looking to do.

Why would you need a relaxation permit?

  • If your suite’s design is larger than the maximum allowable size per floor (~800-850 square feet)
  • If your suite’s setbacks do not meet the city’s requirements from the side and back property lines
  • If you don’t have the minimum 15 feet required between the suite and the house

Contact us anytime about your backyard suite permits and we will be happy to have a full discussion with you!

#3 – Changes Outside the Original Proposal

Every laneway home we build has a standard specifications sheet outlining the materials we use for countertops, flooring, baseboards and other features of the sort.

Sometimes clients change their interior specs later in the design process, so your suite’s price will adjust accordingly. While we always try to include all details in our original proposal and estimated quote, the client may make changes that incur extra costs later on.

You will always be credited for whatever feature is being replaced, and the cost difference will be applied to your project’s bottom line.

Get a Free Quote for Your Calgary Backyard Suite

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Want to know how much a garage suite in Calgary will cost for your property? Give us a call anytime at 403-797-4918 or send us an email at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to discuss your potential project. We are looking forward to connecting with you!