VIDEO from Suite Additions:
In this video, we break down the hidden costs of building a garden suite—the fees and expenses most homeowners and small developers don’t expect.
While garden suites are an incredible way to add rental income, house family members, and unlock underutilized land, the reality is that many projects run into unexpected consulting fees, municipal charges, and utility upgrade costs. 👉 What you’ll learn in this video: The difference between hard costs vs. soft costs in construction Common consulting fees (architectural, survey, structural, geotechnical, HVAC, grading, plumbing) Municipal permits & hidden fees (building permits, development charges, deposits, education levies, Bill 23 exemptions) Utility upgrades that can derail budgets (water, sewer, drainage, electrical service, transformer upgrades)
Site requirements like grading, landscaping, and walkways Strategies to reduce costs (pre-approved plans, grants & subsidies, property selection tips, prefab options) Having completed dozens of garden suite design projects, we’ve seen how quickly budgets can spiral if you don’t know what to plan for. By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to avoid surprise costs.
