Construction & Renovation Services in Bridgeland & Renfrew

The math depends on the foundation and your end goal. If the existing foundation is sound (no major structural cracks, adequate footing depth, concrete in good condition), and you'd be happy with a well-renovated bungalow rather than a 3,000 sq ft two-storey, renovation usually wins on cost: $150,000-$300,000 for a comprehensive gut renovation versus $700,000-$1,000,000+ for demolition and infill construction (not counting land). The renovated bungalow will appraise at $850,000-$1,100,000; the infill at $1.2-$1.8 million. Both produce equity, but the infill requires roughly twice the capital investment. If the foundation is failing, the basement is too shallow to finish (under 7 feet), or you need significantly more square footage than the existing footprint allows, demolition and rebuild is the cleaner path — trying to salvage a compromised foundation often costs more in the long run than starting fresh.

Yes, and the zoning makes it relatively straightforward. Much of Bridgeland and Renfrew is zoned R-CG, which allows secondary suites (typically basement suites) and backyard suites (laneway homes) as permitted uses — meaning you need only a building permit, not a development permit, which eliminates the public notification and potential appeal process. A basement suite conversion in an existing bungalow typically costs $40,000-$70,000 and requires a separate entrance, egress windows in bedrooms, fire separation between units (1-hour rated ceiling assembly), separate smoke and CO detectors, and compliance with the Alberta Building Code for habitable space (minimum ceiling height, ventilation, natural light). A new backyard suite or laneway home is a larger undertaking — $150,000-$300,000 depending on size and finish level — but generates rental income of $1,200-$1,800/month in this neighbourhood.

For a comprehensive renovation of a typical 1,000-1,100 sq ft Bridgeland bungalow with basement finishing, realistic budget ranges are: kitchen $25,000-$50,000; two bathrooms $20,000-$40,000; flooring throughout $8,000-$15,000; paint and trim $5,000-$10,000; electrical upgrade to 200 amp with modern wiring $12,000-$20,000; plumbing replacement (PEX throughout) $8,000-$15,000; furnace, AC, and HRV $12,000-$22,000; window replacement $15,000-$30,000; basement finishing including insulation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and finishing $50,000-$90,000. Total: $155,000-$292,000. Add underpinning if the basement ceiling is below 7 feet ($40,000-$80,000). Budget 15-20% contingency for the inevitable surprises in a 70-year-old house. The project typically takes 4-8 months depending on scope, with the biggest timeline variables being permit processing, material lead times, and whether underpinning is involved.

The Bridgeland-Memorial CTrain station is a significant asset that influences both property values and renovation strategy. Properties within a 5-minute walk of the station command a measurable premium, and this proximity makes secondary suite development particularly viable — tenants pay a premium for transit-accessible rental housing, and the suite doesn't need to accommodate vehicle parking in the same way a suburban rental would. From a renovation design perspective, LRT access also means some Bridgeland households operate with one car instead of two, which opens up garage conversion possibilities (home office, workshop, additional living space) that would be impractical in car-dependent suburbs. The trade-off is noise: properties very close to the LRT line experience train noise every 5-10 minutes during operating hours, making sound attenuation an important design element for bedrooms and living spaces on the track-facing side of the home.