A garden suite is a separate structure erected in a homeowner’s backyard that functions as its separate unit. It can be used as housing for a family member or friend or as a guest house. Despite being called a ‘garden suite,’ they have nothing to do with gardens, greenery, greenhouses, or anything like that. A garden suite is, in essence, a detached dwelling, often with its own living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.
If you are considering building a garden suite, here are some factors that may come into play.
Verify Your Municipality Allows Garden Suites
Firstly, not all municipalities permit garden suites. This is a new concept to many Ontario municipalities, with several of them only having begun to allow these constructions a few years ago. Many of our province’s municipalities also have bylaws to regulate construction that you should review if you’re building a garden suite.
Among the bylaws to look at is zoning. Ensure your neighbourhood is zoned to allow garden suites. Next, check the minimum lot size requirement for a suite like this.
Check the maximum unit size, as there could be limits on how big your garden suite is allowed to be about the property size. Check the maximum height as you may only be allowed to build a single-storey garden suite and not a two-storey.
Connect with a Home Builder or Property Developer
As you will quickly discover, it is much easier to build a garden suite when you are partnered with a home builder or property developer experienced in garden suites. They will already have the knowledge to guide you through the limits and regulations placed upon garden suites in your community. They’ll also be able to identify ways to minimize costs or increase the usefulness of your new suite.
Map Out the Design in Detail for What to Build
Build your new dwelling carefully. Match it to your needs. Don’t build too large or too small. Look at what materials you want to use. Discuss with your home builder possible ways to make a garden suite more affordable for your budget if that’s a concern. As these are small units, it’s key that every square foot is intelligently used and serves a purpose.
Here are some design ideas for garden suites:
Foundation System
In building a garden suite, you are also tasked with deciding what foundation system you want: pier type, slab, or basement. While a basement provides more living space and can be useful in adding square footage, many people opt for pier-type or slab foundations due to the cost savings. This depends entirely, however, on your preference for the unit and what you want from your garden suite.
Prefab Garden Suites
You may want a prefabricated home as you plan your garden suite design. Prefab garden suites exist. They are made in a facility. The materials are shipped to you. Then, you assemble it. For time-sensitive construction, this takes less time, is a more efficient way to build, and may cost you less than a custom garden suite.
Utilities
A garden suite is not its own home. A garden suite’s utilities are not connected directly to city infrastructure. They must be routed through the main house. This can be a major consideration when building a garden suite that many people are unaware of. All of the utilities have to be fed through the main house, which is something a home builder can help you navigate.
Custom Garden Suites
There are endless advantages to building a custom garden suite. You can decide and envision whatever you like for your garden suite. Custom builds can be larger or smaller than the average garden suite. The materials can be swapped out for the exact materials you want. The cost may be slightly higher. However, for the personalizations you get, it’s very much worth it for many homeowners.
What Else Can Impact Building a Garden Suite
There may be other factors influencing the cost of building a garden suite. Unsavoury site conditions requiring repair. Site sloping that needs to be planned for. Demolition needs to be done. Tree removal. Upgrading your water and sewer connections to support a garden suite. Relocating a gas connection. These are a few common problems that garden suite builders encounter.
Emergency Access Requirements
Another important regulation to adhere to is for your garden suite to have emergency access. Emergency access must be at least 3 feet wide and 7 feet high. The garden suite entrance also cannot be more than 45 metres from the street. While these are Toronto regulations, other municipalities likely have similar rules.