Building a garden suite in Victoria can be a great way to add value to your property, provide additional living space or additional income. However, before you begin planning for a garden suite on your Victoria-area property, here are some things to consider.
The Right Plans
Victoria-area garden suites are becoming increasingly popular. If you’re looking to build, we’ve made the process easier for you. Working with Carma Design Group, we’ve developed a number of blueprints for beautiful garden homes that will make the planning process more efficient and cost effective.
Permits
According to the City of Victoria, a garden suite is a legal, detached, ground-oriented rental suite located in the backyard of a property with a single-family home as its primary use. Garden suites are designed to be long-term rental housing; they cannot be strata-titled or utilized as short-term rental (such as AirBnB). Garden Suites require a delegated development permit (a development permit approved by staff), and all necessary building permits.
Just like building a new single-family home, you will also need new home warranty registration, something a licensed builder can provide.
How big should you build your garden suite
The maximum allowable square footage depends on which municipality you plan on building in or how big your lot is. But typically, the size of a garden suite ranges from 400 square feet to 1000 square feet.
Yes, the home may be small. So you may be thinking of building a one bedroom. But when it comes to garden suites, two smaller bedrooms will often get you more income than one bigger one. You’ll also want to consider if you’re going to build one floor or two and if you plan to add a garage.
Investigate Utilities
Before you start building, be sure to look into how you will provide utilities such as water, sewer, electricity and gas to the new suite. You may need to upgrade the services to the property and existing systems to accommodate the new space.
Go Green
As of May 1, 2023, the BC Building Code will require all residential buildings including garden suites to meet Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code. This is a change from Step 2 that small houses including garden suites have had to meet up until this code change.
Building science is progressing quickly and highly energy-efficient homes and net zero are becoming the standard rather than the exception. So when planning, consider exterior insulation: Make sure your builder has a plan for the air barrier. Avoid installing natural gas and hire an energy advisor to create a report forecasting the building’s energy usage. Once all this is done, be sure to market the low utility costs when you place your rental ad.
Provide Adequate Access and Parking
There’s a good chance you may need to construct a new driveway and provide additional parking for your garden suite, especially if you’re planning on renting it out.
At a minimum, plan on having one on-site parking space. Ensure you plan for an energized outlet capable of providing “Level 2” electric vehicle charging to the parking space.
As more of us are going green, be sure to provide a minimum of one secure and weather protected bicycle parking space as well.
Photo: Alair Charlotte
Focus on Marketability and Durability
If your garden suite is going to be a rental unit, then plan for a rental. Remove emotions of what you would want in the space and focus on marketability and durability. You don’t want to have to replace those beloved hardwood floors because a tenant’s pet scratched them.
And although you don’t need to go with high-end finishings, as with anything, you do get what you pay for. Big box store cabinets and plumbing fixtures may seem like the right choice due to their price point. Unfortunately, their quality often shows, especially in rentals. Plan to have to replace these low end finishes way sooner than you had expected.
Photo: Alair Chilliwack
Think about landscaping
Don’t let landscaping for your garden suite be an afterthought. Everyone appreciates some privacy, especially in closer quarters. So be sure to plan out and cost out the landscaping and include it in your building budget.
Select the right builder
Selecting the right builder is one of the most important decisions you need to make when building a garden suite, or any new home for that matter! Choose one who has experience building custom garden suites in your area. Your builder will help you navigate these items and many more that need to be considered. If you are interested in building a garden suite in your area, be sure to get in touch. We can help!