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Tag: Garden Suite Builders Toronto

  • Affordable Garden Suite Design and Building Ideas

    Affordable Garden Suite Design and Building Ideas

    How to Design and Build A Garden Suite Inexpensively in Toronto

    BVM Contracting has been hard at work in figuring out a solution to tackle the affordability of building Garden Suites in Toronto. We have scoured the internet and have worked with industry professionals to come up with some avenues that we can present as options to home owners and property owners in Toronto and the surrounding municipalities that allow garden suites.

    What are the key factors that affect the cost of a garden suite?

    To preface the solutions we have come up with, we wanted to start with the key reasons why any new home or ancillary structure would cost more, or become an unaffordable option for home owners and property owners:

    1. Too Customized – When you get put into the custom design funnel and hire a designer to build your new dwelling to suit all (or as many) of your needs, that is where things start to sky-rocket. When you can hire someone to add in all of your needs and wants into a design you end up with something that could become too unaffordable for your budget.

    2. Too Large – Many times people over-estimate the amount of space they need and, in turn, pay for it on the backend through increase construction costs.

    3. Too Much Red Tape – Sometimes your property just does not fit the criteria for adding an ancillary structure like a Garden Suite, and as a result you will have to fight a lot harder to get the approvals and end up spending a lot of money to get your permits for the project. Entities like Committee of Adjustment, Urban Forestry, and TRCA play a large role in approvals for a lot of properties in Toronto and it is important to determine if your proposed project will run into any of them.

    How to Build a garden suite as cost effectively as possible

    Well the answer is pretty simple now that you know the key drivers in how a garden suite can become costly. Just flip the points above and you have come up with a winning strategy! We have taken the strategy of minimal customization, small units that can be put into many different backyards and have found the following solutions that will help Toronto Property Owners cash in on an affordable Garden Suite Dwelling.

    Solution #1: Pre-fabricated garden suites by BVM Contracting

    Much like The City of Mississauga has done to create a more streamlined approach to building Garden Suites by allowing for pre-vetted garden suite plans, we have done something similar for Toronto properties. Our Garden Suite Plans are not pre-vetted with the City of Toronto’s zoning department but we have done the research to ensure that the studio option will fit in as many backyards in Toronto as possible. We are offering pre-fabricated studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom garden suite options that you can chose to take to permit and have some flexibility to adjust the finishes (exterior finish, interior finishes, etc.) to make the garden suite truly yours!

    Toronto has also come out with pre-approved ADU plans that we have taken the liberty of pricing out, so if you are interested in those plans please reach out!

    Solution #2: Wholesale Housing Tiny Home Units

    There is a Modular Home Supplier in Stouffville, Ontario that has come out with a few garden suite models that will work within the zoning bylaws for Toronto. They are called Wholesale Housing, and we can connect you with them once we have evaluated your property of interest for ADU potential. We will want to make sure your property can accommodate one of these units because there is no flexibility in changing dimensions.

    Reach out to us to learn more!

    Solution #3: Beaver Homes (and Garden Suites!) by Home Hardware

    Beaver Homes is a popular choice for areas North of Toronto for designing and getting the required material needed for cottages and new home builds in Ontario. The idea is you can visit the Beaver Homes Page to Browse the different types of homes that they have pre-designed, and can create a login to determine the base price of these designs. Once you have determined which model will work for your new home construction or Garden Suite project you can reach out to us to set-up the preliminary meeting with our preferred Home Hardware Dealer to learn more about the process and to get a full cost for the project for the items that are not included in the Beaver Homes Package.

    It is VERY important to note that the pricing that the Beaver Homes website shows is only the material costs for getting the home to the drywall phase, and does not include the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical costs. Even still this presents a unique option, when paired with a General Contractor like BVM Contracting that can price out the installation costs and other associated costs needed, for semi-customizable Garden Suites and even for new home construction projects in Toronto.

    Pro-tip #1: When searching through the Beaver Homes Catalogue, filter for the smaller units so that you can see the different options that could work for your Garden Suite.

    Pro-tip #2: The design you will get from Beaver Homes will just have the floor plans, elevation drawings, and roof layout, it will still need to be submitted for permit by a BCIN designer. We will be able to partner you with a BCIN designer who can help get you through the permitting process for the municipality you reside in, including Toronto.

    About BVM COntracting

    BVM Contracting is a full-service General Contractor or Home Builder located in Toronto. We provide home renovation and building services for major home renovations (kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement renovations, full interior renovations, home additions, lot severances, and new home construction). Our goal is to help guide our clients through the process of renovating their home, from concept to completion.

    Further than providing General Contracting and Project Management for major home renovations, we also offer value-added services such as renovation financing, renovation rebate consultations and services, building permit and design services, smart home installation services, and real estate investor services.

    To learn more about our offering by visiting our services page.

  • Garden Suites: Building Solutions for Toronto’s Multigenerational Families

    Garden Suites: Building Solutions for Toronto’s Multigenerational Families

    Why building a garden suite for your multi-generational family makes sense

    Toronto – like many cities around the world – is seeing a growing trend in housing that caters to the needs of multigenerational families. One such innovative solution is the construction of garden suites, providing families with the space and flexibility to live together while maintaining their independence.

    At BVM Contracting, we are proud to showcase a recent garden suite construction project that beautifully exemplifies this trend and how we worked with our client to find the right solution to support the dynamics of this multigenerational household.

    The Upside of Multigenerational Living

    As the cost of living in Toronto continues to rise, many families are seeking ways to consolidate their living arrangements. Multigenerational homes offer a great solution, enabling grandparents, parents, and children to live under one roof or on the same property while sharing expenses and responsibilities. This arrangement not only fosters closer family bonds but also provides practical benefits such as shared childcare, eldercare, and financial support.

    Introducing the East York Garden Suite Project

    Our latest project in Toronto focuses on constructing a garden suite for a multigenerational family. A garden suite, also sometimes known as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), is a secondary residential unit located on the same lot as a primary residence. This type of housing solution is perfect for families who wish to remain close to one another, while having the benefit of separate living spaces.

    Garden Suite Design and Features

    At BVM Contracting, the supporting the diverse needs of our clients is at the heart of everything we do. Catherine, our client for this project, approached us with the idea of building a Garden Suite on her childhood property after seeing one of our new home-building projects and reading up on the new by-laws that now allow for Garden Suites in Toronto. The goal was to live on the same property as her aging Mother (who lives in the main home) but still have her own space to live.

    We worked with Catherine from the initial concept to determine what a realistic budget would look like for what she wanted to accomplish. Once that was completed we connected her with one of our permit design partners to guide her through the design and permitting process. This project needed to go to Committee of Adjustment (C of A) and get approval from the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) due to the proximity to a local ravine, which delayed the process of receiving a permit. We worked with Catherine and her permit design partner throughout the design process to ensure the construction costs matched the client’s budget expectations to ensure any adjustments to the scope could be made before the design was submitted for permit.

    The design of this garden suite was carefully planned to meet the specific needs of this multigenerational family, which include:

    • Private Living Areas: Catherine has her own private space within the garden suite, complete with a bedroom, bathroom, living area, garage, and private balcony, ensuring she has her own personal retreat while allowing her Mother to remain in the primary dwelling to age-in-place.

    • Shared Common Spaces: Although the garden suite is a separate unit, the family can still enjoy shared spaces such as the driveway, backyard, and outdoor dining area, where they can come together for meals, celebrations, and everyday interactions.

    • Sustainable Living: The garden suite is built with sustainable materials and includes energy-efficient appliances and systems to reduce the environmental footprint and lower utility costs. This includes a cold-climate heat pump that will provide combustion-free heating and cooling to the Garden Suite.

    Building the Garden Suite: A Collaborative Effort

    The construction of the garden suite was a collaborative effort involving skilled architects, sub-contractors, and designers. At BVM Contracting, we worked closely with the family to understand their specific needs and preferences, ensuring the final design would be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

    To give you a glimpse into the project, we’ve created a detailed video showcasing the construction process and design elements. The video highlights the thoughtful planning and meticulous craftsmanship that went into building this beautiful garden suite. You can watch the video below!

    Supporting Multigenerational Living

    This garden suite project is more than just a construction endeavor it’s about creating a home that fosters family connections and supports the well-being of all its members. By providing a flexible living arrangement that accommodates different generations, we’re helping families thrive together in the heart of Toronto.

    Conclusion

    Garden suites represent a forward-thinking approach to urban living, addressing the evolving needs of families in Toronto. Our recent project is a testament to the benefits of multigenerational housing, offering a perfect blend of privacy and shared living. As the demand for such housing solutions continues to grow, BVM Contracting remains committed to designing and building homes that bring families closer while respecting their individual needs.

    For more information on our garden suite projects and how they can benefit your family, feel free to reach out to us at contact@bvmcontracting.com or visit our website at www.bvmcontracting.com. Together, we can create a living space that supports and nurtures your family’s unique dynamics.

    About BVM COntracting

    BVM Contracting is a full-service General Contractor or Home Builder located in Toronto. We provide home renovation and building services for major home renovations (kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement renovations, full interior renovations, home additions, lot severances, new home construction, multi-unit renovations, garden suite construction, and laneway suite construction). Our goal is to help guide our clients through the process of renovating their home, from concept to completion.

    Further than providing General Contracting and Project Management for major home renovations, we also offer value-added services such as renovation financing, renovation rebate consultations and services, building permit and design services, smart home installation services, and real estate investor services.

    To learn more about our offering by visiting our services page.