Residential Renovation → Secondary Suites
A secondary suite is not just a finished basement with a kitchen added.
Suite projects involve permits, inspections, safety requirements, regulated trades, layout decisions, and interior finishing work that has to happen in the right order. Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens or kitchenettes, exits, heating, ventilation, alarms, fire separation, flooring, drywall, trim, and finishes all affect whether the space can become practical, livable, and ready for its intended use.
780 Construction Inc. helps homeowners and investors with the interior construction and finishing side of secondary suite projects in Edmonton, Leduc, Wetaskiwin, and nearby communities — framing, drywall, flooring, paint, trim, bathroom finishing, kitchen or kitchenette finishing, doors, hardware, ceiling work, and the practical finishing details that turn a permitted suite project into a livable space.
Before the final flooring, paint, trim, cabinets, bathroom finishes, and doors go in, the project may need permit review, framing, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, fire and smoke separation, alarms, egress, inspections, and other regulated work handled in the proper order. If the sequence is wrong, finished work can get opened back up.
780 Construction helps with the interior finishing side of the project so the work moves in a practical order, the scope is clear before work starts, and the finished space does not feel patched together at the end.
Requirements can differ by suite type and municipality. Always confirm requirements with the relevant municipality before planning begins.
A self-contained living space developed within the existing basement footprint — bedroom, bathroom, kitchen or kitchenette, living area, and separate entrance. The most common secondary suite type in Edmonton.
A suite developed above or within an existing or new garage structure. Interior finishing work including framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, paint, trim, bathroom finishing, and kitchen or kitchenette work.
A detached suite on the same property as the primary dwelling. Edmonton discusses these under Backyard Housing. Leduc covers garden suites in its suite application package. Requirements should be confirmed with the relevant municipality.
If the goal is a rentable suite, the project needs to be planned around municipal permits, inspections, Alberta Building Code requirements, regulated trades, and final approvals. 780 Construction helps with the interior finishing side once the scope and requirements are clear.
780 Construction helps homeowners and investors get through the finishing side of a secondary suite project with the sequencing, coordination, and workmanship the job requires — completed with the permit and inspection process in mind, so the interior finishing work is not treated like an afterthought.
What types of suite projects can 780 Construction help with?
780 Construction can help with the interior construction and finishing side of basement suites, garage suites, garden suites, backyard housing, and income-suite projects in Edmonton, Leduc, Wetaskiwin, and nearby communities.
What is the difference between a finished basement and a secondary suite?
A finished basement is usually extra living space for the same household. A secondary suite is a separate dwelling unit with its own living area, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and entrance. Secondary suites involve more rules, more planning, more safety requirements, and a more involved permit and inspection process.
Do secondary suites need permits?
Yes. Secondary suite projects require permits. Requirements depend on the municipality, property, suite type, zoning, layout, and scope of work. Edmonton requires permits for all secondary suites. Leduc requires both a Development Permit and Building Permit for secondary suite development.
Do garage suites and garden suites follow the same rules as basement suites?
Not exactly. Basement suites, garage suites, garden suites, and backyard housing can have different planning, zoning, site, grading, servicing, parking, and building requirements. The right starting point is to confirm the property rules with the municipality before construction and finishing work are planned.
Can 780 Construction handle the permit application?
780 Construction focuses on the interior construction and finishing work. Permit responsibility should be confirmed before the project starts. Where permits, inspections, or regulated trades are involved, 780 can work around the required process and help keep the interior finishing work sequenced properly.
Does a secondary suite need separate heating and ventilation?
Secondary suites have specific heating and ventilation requirements. In Alberta, houses with secondary suites require independent heating and ventilation for the primary suite and the secondary suite. This should be reviewed early because HVAC requirements can affect layout, timing, budget, and finishing work.
Does a secondary suite bedroom need an egress window?
Bedroom egress is an important life-safety requirement. Basement bedrooms generally need an emergency escape window that meets size, opening, and access requirements. This should be reviewed before framing and finishing so the bedroom is planned properly.
Does a secondary suite need smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?
Yes. Secondary suites have smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements. Interconnected alarms, bedroom and hallway placement, and common-space coverage may all be part of the safety requirements. These details should be reviewed as part of the permit and inspection process.
Can you help finish a suite bathroom?
Yes. 780 Construction can help with the finishing side of a suite bathroom, including tile, flooring, drywall, paint, vanity, fixtures, trim, and finishing details. Plumbing work must be completed by the appropriate qualified trade.
Can you help finish a suite kitchen or kitchenette?
Yes. 780 can help with kitchen or kitchenette finishing such as cabinet installation, countertops, flooring, drywall, paint, trim, and finish details. Electrical, plumbing, gas, and ventilation requirements need to be handled by the appropriate qualified professionals.
Can you help legalize an existing suite?
780 Construction can help with interior construction and finishing work that may be required as part of a suite upgrade or legalization project. Existing-suite legalization should start with the municipality, permit history, required inspections, and a clear understanding of what must be corrected before the space can be approved.
What if I bought a house with an existing basement suite?
If the suite’s permit history is unclear, the safest first step is to check with the municipality before assuming it is legal or rentable. An existing finished space may still need upgrades, inspections, or corrections before it meets current requirements.
Can the suite be rented as soon as the finishing is done?
Not necessarily. A suite should not be rented until the owner has confirmed the required permits, inspections, approvals, and municipal requirements are complete. 780 Construction can help with the finishing work, but final rental readiness depends on the proper approvals.
How much does secondary suite finishing cost?
Cost depends on the suite type, size, current stage, layout, required trades, finishes, bathroom or kitchen scope, ceiling work, flooring, trim, and inspection-related requirements. A basement suite with rough-ins already in place is a different project than a garage suite, garden suite, or existing suite that needs correction work.
How long does secondary suite finishing take?
Timeline depends on the scope, permit stage, inspection timing, trade sequencing, material choices, and how much work remains. Interior finishing can move efficiently when the regulated work is complete or properly scheduled, but suite projects should not be treated like a quick cosmetic renovation.
Do you work on secondary suites in Edmonton and Leduc?
Yes. 780 Construction helps with secondary suite and income-suite finishing work in Edmonton, Leduc, Wetaskiwin, and nearby communities.
How do we get started?
Call, text, or send a message. Describe the suite type, current stage, location, target use, and timeline. Photos are helpful. If the project already has permits, plans, or inspection notes, mention that too.
Call, text, or use the contact form to talk through the suite, its current stage, and the next step.