Legal Suites!!!!!
You have come to the right place – to learn about homes in Calgary with Legal Secondary Suites! We have the knowledge and experience in this area – as we have personally just been through the process of creating a LEGAL Secondary Suite in Bailey’s House!
Bailey and Carson bought their FIRST home in May 2022. A Bi-Level with an undeveloped WALKOUT basement…we KNEW right away it would be a great source of income in the future…what we didn’t forecast properly – is how long it would take – and how much it would cost (WAY over what we planned!!!)
Yes – I know – I coach people ALL the time about the challenges of renovating, waiting for supplies, relying on trades, underestimating budget and the process. My famous line is – “its not like on tv!”. Fast forward to when it is YOU doing it!!!!! A project we thought would/could be done by end of 2022 – was completed April 2024!
However, to be fair – ALMOST ALL the work was done by Bailey, Carson, Cliff and I. Everything we bought was thoroughly researched and priced out for the BEST deal. When we could do second hand – we did – even if it meant driving to the far ends of the city!
Obviously – IF we had hired the project out – clearly it could have been done sooner. But the whole goal – was to HELP them get a leg up on their future. We didn’t want them to incur MORE debt in the process.
The awe and respect I have for this team is unbelievable.
Carson and Cliff clearly took on the BULK of the physical work (long long hours and hard physical work!!!) – but Bailey and I were the “brains”, the shoppers, the movers, the CLEANERS (seemed like a good idea at the time to buy all the kitchen cabinets/counters from a home being renovated in the NW!!!) the food runners and the bank! We helped paint – and that is when I discovered that although I am good at many things – painting is NOT one of them! 😉
Fun Fact: I think Bailey is on a first name basis with the people at Home Depot!
We had to outsource some of the work, when it became evident that the project was stalled…but I am here to tell you – it is OK to reevaluate and go in a different direction – when NEEDED. In renovations projects and in LIFE!!!!.
We all work full time and also need to have a life
PLUS – we renovated their top level first
Bailey got her real estate license
Carson decided to become a home inspector
How much can we possibly manage/take on at the same time?! It was starting to impact our relationships – and we already work together – so change was necessary!
The goal was always to do a LEGAL suite (2 realtors and 2 home inspectors – it would be expected right?!) – but I will be honest – MANY times during the process we almost went the other way or stopped.
Many many obstacles presented along the way – that we could never have forecasted. I am a problem solver by nature … and even I got frustrated. There are instructions online – https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html – but you do have to be resourceful, innovative, creative and SMART to make this happen. Just applying for the permits was a HUGE job.
In the end – we are thrilled. The suite is done – we have the STICKER – it is legally registered, and they have an awesome tenant moving in this weekend!
If you are considering buying a home with the possibility of adding a secondary suite – or looking to convert an existing Illegal Suite into a Legal Suite – please contact us directly.
We would be happy to share our knowledge and help in any way we can.
