Basements and suites
The space you need is already under your feet.
A finished basement adds living space without changing the footprint of your house. We plan the layout with you, price it from a written scope and build it in a set order so your household knows what to expect.
- Suits you if
- You have an unfinished basement and want bedrooms, a family room, an office or a gym.
- To scope it, we need
- Your address and municipality
- A rough idea of the rooms or suite you want
- Any plans, permits or photos you already have
What usually prompts the call
Common concerns
- Your family has outgrown the main floors.
- You have heard stories about contractors who disappear halfway through.
- You are worried about moisture being sealed behind new walls.
- You do not want the budget to creep after work starts.
What NorthPeak does about it
- A layout planned around how your family will use the space.
- A moisture and mechanical check before any wall is framed.
- A written scope with stated allowances for finishes.
- A written schedule and a defined process for changes.
What is in the scope
In a typical scope
- Layout planning and measurements
- Framing, insulation and vapour barrier
- Coordination of electrical, plumbing and heating trades
- Drywall, taping and paint
- Flooring, doors, trim and baseboard
- Bathroom construction where included in your scope
Options to discuss
- Bedroom with egress window
- Bathroom rough-in or full bathroom
- Wet bar or kitchenette
- Home office, gym or media room
- Built-in storage
Your own scope is written for your house and may differ from this list.
What shapes the plan and the price
Cost drivers
- Finished area and number of rooms
- Whether a bathroom is added and where the plumbing is
- Window changes for bedrooms
- Flooring, lighting and trim level
- Moisture or mechanical issues found during assessment
Permits and inspections
Basement development normally requires a building permit, with electrical, plumbing or gas permits depending on the work. Your scope lists each permit and states who applies for it.
We do not publish price ranges, because a range wide enough to be true is too wide to be useful. You receive a written estimate after a site visit, as a fixed price or a cost-plus contract.
How the work runs
Step 1 · First
Consultation and site visit
We listen to what you want, look at the house and take measurements and photos. You learn what is feasible before you spend anything on design.
Step 2 · After the site visit
Written scope and estimate
You receive a written scope that lists the work, the materials and the allowances. The estimate follows the scope line by line, so you can see what each part costs.
Step 3 · Before any work starts
Contract and schedule
The contract sets the price structure, the payment schedule, how changes are approved and who is responsible for each permit. A written schedule comes with it.
Step 4 · Before construction
Permits and material selection
Permit applications go in while you choose flooring, paint, fixtures and trim from the allowances in your scope.
Step 5 · During the build
Construction
Framing, rough-ins, insulation, drywall and finishing follow in sequence, with inspections booked at the stages your permit requires.
Step 6 · At completion
Walkthrough and closeout
We walk the finished work with you, list anything outstanding and complete it. You receive the inspection records and warranty documents that apply to your project.
Basement development: common questions
Can we live in the house during the work?
Yes. Basement work is separated from the main floors as far as the house allows. We agree on working hours, access and dust control before work starts.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
In most cases, yes. Your municipality decides, and the requirement is confirmed for your address before the contract is signed.
What is the difference between a finished basement and a legal suite?
A finished basement is extra living space for your own household. A legal suite is a separate dwelling with its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance, and it has to meet additional requirements.
What happens if you find something unexpected?
Work stops on that item. We show you what we found, explain the options and give you a written price for each. Nothing extra is built or billed until you approve it in writing.
Can you give me a price over the phone?
Not an honest one. Cost depends on the size and condition of the house, the finishes you choose and what the permits require. After a site visit you receive a written estimate tied to a written scope.
Related services
Plan your project
Ready to talk about basement development?
The service is already chosen. Add your municipality and when you would like to start, and we write the message to Gurdeep Singh. You read it, change it and send it.
Gurdeep Singh
Plan your project in four short steps
Your message goes to Gurdeep Singh on 587 896 0002. You review it and press send.
Still to choose: a municipality, a timeline.
WhatsApp opens in a new tab with the message filled in. Nothing is sent until you press send.