Airdrie

Basement development
in Airdrie.

Legal secondary suites, walkout suites and full basement development in Airdrie, permitted through the City of Airdrie and inspected at every required stage.

587 439 5191

Quick Quote

Tell us about your project.
We'll do the rest.

Answer a few quick questions and we'll prepare your free consultation, complete with free 2D structure design.

  • Takes under a minute
  • No obligation, no pressure
  • Permits and inspections included

1 of 8

What are you planning?
Where is your home?
Roughly how big is the space?
What shape is it in today?
What's the goal?
Pick your wishlist (as many as you like)
When are you hoping to start?
Where should we send your free quote?
You're all set!

Send us your details with one tap and we'll get back to you within one business day.

Basements and legal
suites across Airdrie

We build legal secondary suites and full basement developments in Airdrie, permitted through the City of Airdrie and inspected at every required stage.

500+ projects completed, 20+ years, every build permit ready. The consultation is free and includes free 2D structure design, so you see a measured plan before committing to anything.

The quote that follows is fixed and itemised, and the work carries a one year workmanship warranty.

Services

What we build
in Airdrie

Legal secondary suites

Self contained units with their own entrance, kitchen, bathroom and compliant EGRESS WINDOWS, permitted and inspected end to end.

Walkout suites

Where the lot allows it, grade level entry and full height glazing produce the strongest suites and the shortest vacancy.

Basement development

Family rooms, media spaces, home gyms, wet bars and additional bedrooms finished to the standard of the floors above.

EGRESS WINDOWS

Foundation saw cutting, lintel installation, window fitting, and window wells excavated and drained correctly.

Separate entrances

Stairwell, drainage at the base, landing and exterior finishing, detailed to survive Alberta winters.

Permits and inspections

Drawings prepared, applications submitted to the municipality, and every required inspection booked and attended.

Airdrie is its own
municipality, with its
own approvals

Airdrie is a separate municipality from Calgary, just north along the QEII, and development approvals are handled by the City of Airdrie rather than by Calgary.

What does not change is the Alberta Building Code. The technical requirements for a legal secondary suite are the same wherever you build in Alberta: a separate entrance, an EGRESS WINDOW in every bedroom, rated fire separation between the suite and the dwelling above, interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, compliant heating and ventilation, and minimum finished ceiling height. Each is inspected.

What does change is the local layer: land use rules, what is permitted on your particular lot, parking expectations and the application process. We confirm the current position with the City of Airdrie for your specific address before any drawings are committed to. Municipal rules change, and we are not going to quote you against an assumption.

Services

What we build
in Airdrie

Legal secondary suites

Self contained units with their own entrance, kitchen, bathroom and compliant EGRESS WINDOWS, permitted and inspected end to end.

Walkout suites

Where the lot allows it, grade level entry and full height glazing produce the strongest suites and the shortest vacancy.

Basement development

Family rooms, media spaces, home gyms, wet bars and additional bedrooms finished to the standard of the floors above.

EGRESS WINDOWS

Foundation saw cutting, lintel installation, window fitting, and window wells excavated and drained correctly.

Separate entrances

Stairwell, drainage at the base, landing and exterior finishing, detailed to survive Alberta winters.

Permits and inspections

Drawings prepared, applications submitted to the municipality, and every required inspection booked and attended.

The three things that
decide feasibility

Ceiling height. Measured after finishes. The one requirement that cannot be designed around without underpinning or lowering the slab, so we check it first.

The entrance. Whether a compliant separate entrance can be built depends on your lot, the side yard width and where the existing foundation openings sit.

Window openings. Whether bedroom windows can be enlarged to EGRESS WINDOW size. Enlarging means saw cutting the foundation and installing a lintel, which is routine but not free.

A lot of Airdrie housing stock is relatively recent, and newer homes are often easier to develop. Ceiling heights tend to be more generous, mechanical runs are usually tidier, and bathroom rough ins are more often already in place, all of which reduces the cost of a suite.

That said, none of it is guaranteed on your specific house. We measure the ceiling height, the window openings and the side yard at the free consultation rather than assuming, because an assumption is how people end up with a quote that changes.

Thinking about a basement or suite in Airdrie? The first visit is free.

Our Work

Recent projects

Good To Know

Frequently asked

Not seeing yours? Call 587 439 5191.

Do I need a permit for a basement development in Airdrie?

Yes, once you add bedrooms, bathrooms, walls, electrical or plumbing. Airdrie is a separate municipality from Calgary, so the application goes to the City of Airdrie. We prepare the drawings and manage the process through to final approval.

Are secondary suite rules different in Airdrie than in Calgary?

The Alberta Building Code requirements are the same: separate entrance, EGRESS WINDOW in every bedroom, fire separation, interconnected alarms, ventilation and ceiling height. The local land use rules and application process belong to the City of Airdrie, so we confirm the current position for your specific address before drawings.

Does the City of Calgary suite incentive apply in Airdrie?

No. That programme is run by the City of Calgary for properties inside Calgary. If you are in Airdrie, check with the City of Airdrie and the Province for anything currently available locally.

How do I know whether my basement can take a legal suite?

Three things decide it: finished ceiling height, whether a compliant separate entrance can be built given your lot, and whether bedroom windows can be enlarged to EGRESS WINDOW size. We check all three at the free consultation and tell you plainly if it will not work.

Do you charge for the first visit?

No. The consultation is free and includes free 2D structure design, so you see a measured plan before committing to anything. The quote that follows is fixed and itemised.

Ready to start? Get your free consultation, 2D structure design.

Quick Quote

Tell us about your project.
We'll do the rest.

Answer a few quick questions and we'll prepare your free consultation, complete with free 2D structure design.

  • Takes under a minute
  • No obligation, no pressure
  • Permits and inspections included

1 of 8

What are you planning?
Where is your home?
Roughly how big is the space?
What shape is it in today?
What's the goal?
Pick your wishlist (as many as you like)
When are you hoping to start?
Where should we send your free quote?
You're all set!

Send us your details with one tap and we'll get back to you within one business day.

Free consultation · Free 2D structure design · Fixed quote

Let's build your vision

WhatsApp Us

Darmaan, Project Manager · 587 439 5191 · darmaan@grainsconstruction.ca