Project Overview

Location:

HASTINGS

Timeline:

12 Months

Project Cost:

$197,500

Client’s Goals

The homeowners wanted to maximize the functionality and value of their home by converting their unfinished basement into a legal two-bedroom suite. Their goal was to create a fully self-contained rental unit that would generate income while still retaining part of the basement for their own use.

The legal suite required its own kitchen, bathroom, and a separate entry for privacy and compliance. The homeowners also wanted to ensure the space felt comfortable and modern, not like a typical basement.

In addition to the suite, they asked for improvements upstairs — including a new powder room added to the primary ensuite for convenience, and a new laundry area on the main floor for everyday use.

Key goals included:

Converting the existing basement into a legal 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom suite
Adding a new kitchen and bathroom for the suite
Creating a separate, private entry to the basement unit
Retaining one basement room for the homeowners’ personal use
Adding a powder room to the ensuite upstairs
Adding a new laundry area upstairs for family convenience

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Sewer Line Too High for New Drainage

The existing sewer connection inside the house was not low enough to allow proper drainage for the planned new bathroom and kitchen.

Solution:

We re-graded the sewer line all the way to the city connection, lowering it enough to ensure reliable drainage and full functionality of the new fixtures.

Challenge: Mechanical Room in Future Suite Space

The home’s existing mechanical room was located within the area planned for a future basement suite, limiting the ability to create a properly separated unit.

Solution:

We reconfigured the layout to establish a properly separated mechanical space, allowing for the suite to meet code and function independently.

Challenge: Asbestos in Existing Drywall

Testing revealed that the drywall throughout the home contained asbestos, posing both health risks and demolition cost challenges.

Solution:

We brought in a certified hazmat contractor to perform selective demolition, removing only the necessary drywall. This approach ensured safety while saving costs by leaving intact materials in place.