Garage Suites FAQs

Although not a new concept, garage suites are gaining popularity but are still unfamiliar to many people. In this guide, we will address common questions that homeowners have about constructing a garage suite.

How much does a garage suite cost?

This depends on size, the site, design and level of finishings. You can expect a completed move in ready garage suite to start at around $200,000 for construction costs.

Can I build a garage suite on top of my existing garage?

It is not possible to build a suite on an existing detached garage unless it has an engineered slab with foundations designed and engineered for a two-story structure . Most current detached garages do not meet these requirements. To construct a two-story building, foundation walls similar to those of a home are necessary.

What is the building process and how long does it take

There are two phases to building a garage suite, pre-construction and the actual construction itself.

The pre-construction phase includes planning and design and the permitting process. This process involves working with a design team understand your needs and wants, budget, and evaluating the site to create a concept that works. This process starts with a basic concept and will evolve into a set of construction plans and a basic construction budget.

Once you have a set of plans that your ready to move forward with, we can then submit an application for a Development Permit. This process takes about 10-12 weeks with the City to get an approval.

As this process evolves, you may also start making exterior and interior selections such as flooring, countertops, paint colors and more.

Once your Development Permit is approved, we then can apply for a Building Permit which takes only about 7-10 days. Once that is approved, we can start breaking ground.

I don't have any plans. Can I still get a quote?

We would be happy to provide you some general estimations for a garage suite, but in order to provide a quote, a full set of construction plans would be required.

The best place to start, is to determine if you can build a garage suite on your property and then determine your budget or what financially make sense. Remember, garage suites can be an income property, so it may be possible to work the numbers for your budget based on rental potential, and then work with your bank to get a construction loan to cover the costs of construction.

I am interested in developing a set of plans, how can I do this?

We work with some great designers and draftsman! We would be happy to connect you with them.