The Essential Elements Building a Backyard Home in Edmonton
Have you ever considered maximizing your property's potential? A backyard home (also known as a secondary suite or laneway house) is a fantastic way to add value and functionality to your property. Whether you need an income-generating rental, a private space for family, or a cozy home office, a well designed backyard home can be a game-changer.
At Omni Homes Master Builder, the custom home builder in Edmonton, we've helped many homeowners navigate this exciting journey. This essential guide will walk you through the key considerations and steps—from the initial permits to final utility connections—to ensure your project is a success.
Step 1: Determining Feasibility
The first and most critical step in building a backyard home in Edmonton is determining feasibility. Before investing in detailed design plans, you must understand your property’s limitations regarding city zoning bylaws and the practical reality of utility connections. If a project isn't feasible, it isn't worth pursuing.
Bylaw Compliance and Lot Feasibility
Edmonton's specific zoning bylaws dictate the basic rules for your property. Backyard Housing is typically permitted in the following standard zones: RS, RSF, RSM, and RR.
Learn more about specific zoning requirements in our detailed guide: Understanding Backyard Housing.
Step 2: Utility Connections: Technical Backbone of Your Project
Connecting your new structure to municipal services—the utility connections—is often the most complex and critical aspect of building a backyard suite.
Water and Sewer Hookups 💧
The water and sewer connection is typically the most significant and variable technical challenge when building a backyard home. The new suite requires a safe, code-compliant line to the municipal services. This involves either tying into the existing main on your property or running a dedicated new line to the city infrastructure. This work requires specialized trades and often involves significant trenching and excavation across the yard.
The complexity and cost of water and sewer line installation are determined by several factors:
Existing Capacity and Location: Where are the city main lines located relative to your property and the new structure, and is the current service sufficient?
On-Property Tie-In Status: If connecting to an existing line, the condition of the main home's sewer pipes must be assessed. Old or damaged lines may require a full replacement or upgrade to handle the increased load.
Site Accessibility: Access limitations play a huge role. Narrow side yard access, the presence of mature trees, existing sidewalks, or driveways all pose a challenge to excavation.
Power 💡
For maximum cost efficiency, most secondary suites share a bulk electrical meter with the main house. However, independent control and safety are still mandatory:
Dedicated Electrical Sub-Panel: A dedicated sub-panel is required and installed within the suite, sized specifically per the suite's total load requirements.
Service Delivery Impact on Cost: Whether the existing power service is overhead or underground can have a large impact on cost.
Underground power service typically requires EPCOR to assess and potentially upgrade the service from the transformer. The transformer’s location and its remaining capacity are key factors, as service extensions require the customer to share the cost of new power infrastructure.
Load Calculations are mandatory to ensure your existing service can legally support the total demand of both the main house and the new suite.
Gas 🔥
A new suite requires gas service unless there’s an intention for the suite to be Net Zero (all-electric) or certified green.
Gas Line Interference: The location of the existing gas line running to the home will impact the suite's layout and foundation. Code states that a primary natural gas service line cannot be constructed over an accessory building.
Relocation is Standard Practice: It’s generally more effective and often more cost-effective to relocate the gas line to a position that doesn't interfere with the new foundation.
Step 3: Design & Purchase Phase
Once the initial feasibility is confirmed, the project moves into the formal Design & Purchase Phase. This is where the concept becomes a concrete, buildable plan, culminating in your final decision to proceed.
Architectural Planning & Engineering
The design process formalizes the concept, transforming initial ideas into detailed, permit-ready blueprints.
Locking the Design: Utilizing the assessment from the previous stage (bylaws, utilities), the designer locks in the maximum size and shape of the building, ensuring compliance and utility access are integrated into the fundamental structure.
Detailed Drafting: This stage involves creating the full technical package: Floor Plans, Elevations, Sections, and complete Structural Drawings. These drawings are required for obtaining permits and for the construction team.
Fixtures, Finishes, and Selections: You work closely with the builder to select all interior and exterior products (e.g., siding, windows, flooring, cabinets, fixtures). These selections are critical as they directly inform the final, accurate cost estimate.
The Purchase Decision (Finalizing the Agreement)
This is the point of commitment.
Final Quote and Proposal: Once the design and all selections are complete, the builder provides a comprehensive, final quote for the total project cost.
Proceeding with Your Backyard Home: With a clear understanding of the design, the required investment, and the project timeline, you can now decide if you’d like to officially proceed and finalize the contract for your backyard suite.
Step 4: Permits and Approvals
With your final design locked in and the agreement signed, the project officially moves into the crucial Permits & Approvals phase. Your builder manages this entire submission process to the City of Edmonton, ensuring all technical and legal requirements are met before breaking ground.
Development Permit: Confirms the design complies with all zoning bylaws (height, size, setbacks). The timing of the development permit can vary depending on the volume of submissions to the city. You can see the current timelines here.
Building Permit: Confirms the design complies with the safety and construction standards of the Alberta Building Code. The timing of the building permit can vary depending on the volume of submissions to the city. Link above.
Timeline: The entire permitting process can vary, but generally takes 2 to 4 months in Edmonton depending on City volume and the complexity of the design and site conditions.
Essential Information: Investment & Partnership
This section is dedicated to the financial realities of building a backyard home and the key role your custom builder plays in the process.
Cost Breakdown & Investment
Understanding the investment required is a critical part of planning your project. The total cost of a backyard home is broken into two main categories: Soft Costs (upfront fees and services) and Hard Costs (physical construction).
1. Soft Costs (The Upfront Investment)
These are the non-construction costs incurred before the first shovel hits the ground. They represent the professional services and administrative fees necessary to make the build legal and structurally sound.
Design & Engineering: This includes architectural fees, structural engineering, detailed site surveys, and any necessary environmental or energy modeling.
Permit Fees: Fees paid directly to the City of Edmonton for Development, Building, and trade permit applications.
Warranty & Insurance: Costs associated with securing the mandatory builder's risk insurance for the duration of the project, as well as new home warranty coverage.
2. Hard Costs (Construction)
These are the physical costs of labor and materials to construct the home. This is the largest category and is where the site complexity (especially utility connections) has the most visible impact.
While costs can vary widely depending on the size, complexity, and finishes of your design, the Hard Costs generally include:
Construction Costs: Foundation, framing, roofing, interior finishing, insulation, etc.
Utility Connections: The labor and materials required for the complex water, sewer, electrical, and gas hookups outlined in Step 2.
Landscaping & Site Prep: Costs related to necessary excavation, grading, and site cleanup.
Working with an experienced builder like Omni Homes Master Builder provides you with a clear, transparent breakdown of all costs upfront, so you know exactly what to expect.
Working with a Custom Builder: Your Partner in the Process
Choosing the right builder is the single most important decision you'll make. A custom home builder offers a level of expertise that is invaluable in managing a complex project like a backyard home.
Expert Guidance: We provide professional guidance on everything from navigating complex bylaws and securing permits to selecting high-quality finishes.
Streamlined Process: We manage the entire project from start to finish, coordinating with specialized trades and handling all required municipal inspections, reducing stress for you.
Quality and Craftsmanship: Our commitment to quality ensures your backyard home is not only beautiful and functional but also built to last for generations.
Get More Answers
To find answers to the most frequently asked questions about garden suites here.
Take the first step
Ready to discuss your projections specifics?
Contact Omni Homes Master Builder today to schedule a consultation!
