SECONDARY SUITE LEGALIZATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN CALGARY
You have or want a secondary suite that should be bringing in income, but permits, codes, and inspections keep getting in the way. We manage the full path from zoning checks and permits to final inspection and registration as a legal suite with the City of Calgary.
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Stop guessing what the City actually wants
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Avoid costly rework after failed inspections
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Turn a “gray” suite into a legal, income-producing asset
WHO THIS SERVICE IS FOR
We work with homeowners and small investors in Calgary for whom a secondary suite is part of a serious plan, not just a weekend project.
You want to build a new secondary or basement suite and make it legal from day one.
You already have a basement or secondary suite that was never fully legalized.
You receive mixed advice from trades, the City, and friends and don’t know whose answer to trust.
You’re worried about fines, insurance problems, or being forced to shut down a “gray” suite.
If this sounds like you, Secondary Suite Legalization & Project Management turns all of this into a structured project with a clear finish line.
WHY SECONDARY SUITES ARE SO STRESSFUL
Most suite projects don’t fail because of drywall. They fail because of unclear rules, hidden costs, and no one owning the whole process.
1. Permits and Codes Feel Impossible
Zoning, bylaws, fire separation, egress, alarms, registry – each person explains a different piece. It’s hard to see what applies to your house.
2. No Clear Final Investment
One contractor tells you “it’s easy”, another warns it will be very expensive. You don’t have a single, structured view of total cost.
3. No Time to Manage Trades and the City
Coordinating trades, paperwork, and inspections can feel like a second job. Most owners simply don’t have the time.
4. Legal and Insurance Risk
You want rental income, but you’re worried about fines, complaints, or insurance issues if something goes wrong in a non-legal suite.
Our service is built specifically around these four problems: rules, cost, coordination, and risk.
WHAT WE DO AS YOUR SUITE LEGALIZATION PARTNER
We are not “just another contractor”. We design and run the legalization journey, focusing on planning, compliance, and project management.
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Check zoning and land-use rules to confirm whether a legal secondary suite is feasible on your property.
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Review existing documents and conditions (if the suite already exists).
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Coordinate design and drawings so they match Calgary code and practical construction.
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Prepare and submit development and building permit applications.
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Handle ongoing communication with City reviewers and inspectors.
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Create a prioritized upgrade plan: what is mandatory for legal status, what is strongly recommended, what is optional.
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Help you collect and compare quotes from trades (in the full package).
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Coordinate work sequencing and inspections so the project keeps moving.
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Close permits and support registration of your suite in the City’s official registry.
We do not hide margins inside trade quotes. You see real contractor numbers. Our fee is for strategy, legalization, and project management.
TWO PACKAGES, ONE CLEAR GOAL: A LEGAL, INCOME-READY SUITE
Instead of vague “we’ll see as we go”, we work with two structured packages. Exact fees depend on your suite and scope, but the framework is fixed.
Package 1
Permits & Compliance
For owners who want us to handle zoning, code, and permits, and to design a clear compliance roadmap while they coordinate most of the construction.
What’s included
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Zoning and bylaw feasibility review for a legal secondary suite on your property
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Review of existing plans or photos (if available)
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Coordination of design and drawings with Calgary code requirements
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Preparation and submission of development and building permit applications
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Liaison with the City of Calgary during the application process
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Compliance checklist for each inspection stage (what the inspector will look for and when)
Fee structure
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Typical fee range: around 3,000–4,000 CAD, depending on complexity.
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Paid in stages: initial retainer + milestone(s) linked to permit progress.
Package 2
Full Legalization & Project Management
For owners and investors who want one person to manage the entire legalization project – from feasibility and permits to final inspection, permit closure, and suite registration.
What’s included
Everything in the Permits & Compliance package, plus:
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Help obtaining and comparing quotes from different trades
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Building a realistic work schedule and sequencing of trades
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Regular on-site coordination and issue tracking
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Managing inspections and working with trades to resolve inspector comments
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Closing permits and supporting suite registration in the City’s registry
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Basic technical guidance for preparing the suite for rental (we are not acting as your realtor)
Fee structure
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Typical fee range: around 6,000–10,000 CAD, depending on size and complexity.
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Paid in stages: retainer + clearly defined milestones tied to project phases.
Construction work is performed by licensed trades and/or your chosen contractor. We coordinate and manage them, but they remain responsible for their workmanship. Our fee is for planning, compliance, and project management – not for adding margin on materials and labor.
HOW WE WORK WITH CONTRACTORS, NOT AGAINST THEM
We don’t try to replace every general contractor in Calgary. Instead, we focus on the part most people struggle with: planning, permits, code, and coordination.
Point 1 – You Keep Control of Who Builds
You can use trades and contractors you already trust, or we can help you find new ones. Either way, you see real quotes and choose who to hire.
Point 2 – Clear Separation of Roles
Contractors are responsible for doing the work. We are responsible for planning, scheduling, compliance, and making sure everyone stays aligned.
Point 3 – Better Projects for Everyone
When the legal path, drawings, and inspections are clear, trades can simply do their job. That usually means fewer surprises and less friction for everyone.
THE SECONDARY SUITE LEGALIZATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS
You don’t have to love paperwork and building code. You just need to know what happens next.
1. Initial Call and Information Review
We discuss your property, current suite (if any), goals, and timing, and decide which package fits best.
2. On-Site Assessment
We walk through the space, measure critical dimensions, review structure and systems, and document existing conditions.
3. Legalization Plan and Budget Outline
You receive a written plan showing required upgrades, recommended improvements, and a realistic budget range so you can decide how far to go.
4. Permits, Drawings, and City Coordination
We coordinate drawings, submit permits, and handle back-and-forth with the City until approvals are issued.
5. Construction Coordination and Inspections (Full PM package)
We help you choose trades, build the schedule, coordinate work, and guide the project through inspections so each stage passes with minimal rework.
6. Final Approval, Permit Closure, and Registry
We close permits, support adding the suite to the City’s secondary suite registry, and provide documentation so you can prove legal status to tenants, lenders, and insurers.
TYPICAL SECONDARY SUITE SITUATIONS WE HANDLE
· Every house is different, but most suite projects fall into a few clear categories.
Scenario 1 – Existing “Almost Legal” Suite
Some work has been done, maybe with partial permits, but there is no clear list of what remains. We assess the suite, build the legalization plan, and run it through permits and inspections.
Scenario 2 – New Suite in an Existing House
You want to convert part of your basement or main floor into a legal suite. We start with feasibility, then design, permits, and project management through to final approval.
Scenario 3 – Suite Built Without Permits
A previous owner (or you) built a suite under the radar. We help you decide whether legalization is realistic, what it would cost, and – if you move ahead – how to do it with minimum disruption and risk.
