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, ranging from smaller carriage house models at $200,000 + GST to our largest models at $299,500 + GST. Our standard garage suite plans (as of January 2026) are as follows:

  • $220,000 – Maisley – 440 s.f. living space, 5 square foot suite, bachelor to one-bedroom suite with one-car garage and covered carport
  • $250,000 – Silver Springs – 564 s.f. of living space, 564 s.f. envelope w/ two-car garage – one bedroom floor plan
  • $262,600 – Willow – 550 s.f. living space, 650 s.f. envelope w/ two-car garage – one bedroom floor plan
  • $272,500 – Benjamin – 675 s.f. of living space, 710 s.f. envelope w/ two-car garage – one bedroom + den floor plan
  • $282,500 – Halden – 600 s.f. of living space, 700 s.f. envelope w/ three-car garage – one bedroom floor plan
  • $282,500 – Sampson – 750 s.f. living space, 750 s.f. envelope w/ two-car garage – one bedroom + den floor plan
  • $299,500 – Xavier – 850 s.f. living space, 805 s.f. envelope w/ two-car garage – up to two bedrooms
  • $302,500 – Xavier 2 – Custom triple-car max-size suite – 850 s.f. living space, 805 s.f. envelope w/ three-car garage – up to two bedroom floor plan

The most expensive project we’ve taken on so far was above $400,000. Therefore, the actual cost of your backyard suite build can vary significantly depending on your selections (this particular client chose extensive, luxurious upgrades).

The total project cost depends on a handful of factors such as its size, finishings, and utility connections, to name a few. Additionally, many homeowners opt for upgrades beyond our builder’s grade specifications, which may add anywhere from a few hundred dollars 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 meet the owner’s wants and needs. Therefore, as mentioned above, prices for garage suites can sometimes range much higher than our starting prices of $220,000 to $302,000.

For example, a recent high-end project we designed and are currently building was priced at just under $290,000 + GST, but our client decided to spend another $70,000 on upgrades, bringing the total 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 may increase depending on any challenges your lot presents. 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 high-cost and drive up the cost of your backyard suite anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 or more.

You may also need a lift station to pump your sewer back into your main residence’s sewer line. This depends on the lot gradient and whether the slope will put your drainage pipe below the main house’s drainage pipe, allowing gravity to do its magic.

II. – Challenging Utility Connections

Old Pipes: 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 brittle cast-iron piping, which can crack if disturbed. Therefore, these sewer and water lines may need to be replaced entirely because their structural integrity could be compromised by adding another residence to the property. Such pipes were used before we knew of their toxicity, as they contain impurities such as lead and iron.

Transformer Boxes: 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, any power connections to the city’s transformer boxes must be reviewed and quoted by your respective utility provider, usually Enmax within the city, or Fortis in the surrounding rural areas like Rocky View or Foothills.

Gas Appliances: 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 compared to connecting to a 60A to 100A electricity supply. However, we try to provide the full 100A power for your suite in all situations – using 60A is very rare and will limit your ability to install EV chargers, air-conditioning, and other similar items.

III. – Connecting to a Transformer Box

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

As of January 2026, we have seen ENMAX quotes for this connection range from as little as $6,000 (directly behind the house) to $50,000 or more (30 metres + away from the lot), depending on the distance of the box from the future garage suite, whether the lane is paved, and several other factors.

ENMAX will provide you with a quote for your connection to the transformer box once your development permit has been submitted to the city. ENMAX will then evaluate the drawings and request a $3,500 down payment to initiate the quote process, which is credited toward the total project cost.

IV. – Power Pole Replacement

Utility providers pose a third challenge that may increase your garage suite’s costs. For example, to meet power pole clearances, ENMAX may require that you relocate or replace a power pole.

While we know the 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 to comply 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 needing pole replacement. However, this rarely happens, so that’s good news!

To avoid these costs, we typically design the suite so that you do not void the power pole wire clearance, or simply pull the suite into the yard, assuming there is room to do so, while also meeting the setback requirement from the house.

V. – Tree Trimming & Removal

A fourth lot challenge that may boost costs is if your property needs tree removal to be built. For example, you may need to remove a large pine tree or have it trimmed to meet the city’s bylaws regarding clearances.

While trimming a tree may cost you around $800 give or take, cutting down a large tree and removing its roots could 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, it is sometimes hard to do so given differences of opinion within 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. 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.

You can change their interior and/or exterior specifications 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 additional costs later.

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

 

contact garage suites Calgary today

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 info@garagesuitescalgary.ca, and we’ll be happy to discuss your potential project.

We are looking forward to connecting with you!