Construction & Renovation Services in Southwest Communities

This is the most consequential decision facing inner-ring SW homeowners, and the answer depends on your goals, budget, and timeline. Renovation makes sense when: the foundation is structurally sound, the lot dimensions and orientation work for your needs, you want to preserve the mature landscaping and neighbourhood character, and your budget is $150,000-$250,000. A comprehensive renovation — new kitchen, new bathrooms, reconfigured floor plan, updated electrical and plumbing, energy improvements — can transform a dated bungalow into a comfortable, modern home while preserving the generous lot proportions and mature trees that new infill can't replicate. Teardown makes sense when: the foundation has significant structural issues (severe cracking, bowing walls, inadequate footings), the floor plan is fundamentally incompatible with your needs (and reconfiguration would be more expensive than rebuilding), you want a two-storey home that maximizes square footage on the lot, or the total renovation cost would approach 60-70% of the cost of a new build. A custom infill on a Haysboro lot runs $350,000-$550,000 for construction, resulting in a 2,200-3,000 sq ft home valued at $900,000-$1.1 million. One factor that tips the balance toward renovation: the Calgary market currently has a significant cost premium for new construction labour and materials. Wait times for infill builders are 12-18 months in some cases. A skilled renovation contractor can complete a comprehensive bungalow update in 4-6 months. Another factor: under R-CG zoning, some bungalow lots can accommodate semi-detached infill or a garden suite in addition to the principal dwelling. If you're considering this density option, talk to a land-use planner before committing to either renovation or teardown — the optimal approach may depend on the specific zoning application.

Acrylic stucco failure is one of the most common exterior issues in the middle-ring SW communities. The stucco systems applied to Woodbine, Cedarbrae, Canyon Meadows, and Braeside homes in the late 1970s through 1980s are reaching the end of their effective lifespan — 30-40 years is typical for acrylic stucco in Calgary's climate, and the chinook cycle accelerates deterioration. The symptoms: hairline cracks that widen over freeze-thaw seasons, delamination (the stucco surface pulling away from the substrate), bubbling or bulging sections (indicating moisture trapped behind the stucco), and discolouration or efflorescence (white mineral deposits) that indicate water is moving through the assembly. Repair options from least to most expensive: Spot repair: patching cracks and recoating affected areas. Cost: $3,000-$8,000. This is a cosmetic fix that addresses visible damage but doesn't solve underlying moisture issues if the drainage plane behind the stucco has been compromised. Full recoat: removing loose material, repairing the substrate, and applying a new stucco finish coat over the existing system. Cost: $12,000-$25,000 for a typical two-storey home. Effective if the substrate (wire lath and base coats) is still sound. Full removal and re-clad with new stucco: stripping the existing system to sheathing, installing new building wrap and drainage plane, new wire lath, and new three-coat stucco. Cost: $25,000-$45,000. This is the correct approach if moisture has penetrated behind the original stucco and caused sheathing damage. Full removal and re-clad with fibre cement siding (James Hardie or equivalent): strip existing stucco, repair sheathing, install new building wrap and siding. Cost: $30,000-$50,000. Many SW homeowners choose this option because fibre cement provides better long-term performance in Calgary's climate and eliminates the cracking issue entirely. The choice between recoating and full replacement depends on the condition behind the existing stucco — something you can't determine without removing a test section. A qualified exterior contractor should cut inspection ports at several locations before committing to a repair strategy.

Properties adjacent to Fish Creek Provincial Park in Canyon Meadows, Woodlands, Woodbine, and Evergreen are subject to environmental reserve setbacks that restrict construction activity near the park boundary. The setback distance varies by location and is defined on your property's Real Property Report (RPR) or available from the City's planning department. Typical setbacks range from 6 metres to 30 metres from the park boundary, measured from the surveyed edge of the environmental reserve. Within this setback zone, construction of permanent structures (decks, fences, retaining walls, sheds, garages) is either prohibited or requires a relaxation from the City's planning department. For decks and patios: if your proposed deck falls entirely within the buildable area (outside the setback), standard building permit procedures apply. If any portion extends into the setback, you'll need a development permit with a relaxation — this involves demonstrating that the structure won't affect the park's environmental integrity. Expect the relaxation process to add 2-3 months to your project timeline. For fencing: the City and Alberta Parks generally permit a fence at the property line (which may be at the edge of the environmental reserve, not at the park boundary itself). However, the fence design may be restricted — privacy fences may not be permitted if they would impede wildlife movement. Chain-link or post-and-rail fencing is more commonly approved. For landscaping: you cannot alter the grading, remove vegetation, or introduce hardscape within the environmental reserve itself — that land belongs to the City even if it appears to be part of your rear yard. On your own property within the setback, you can landscape, but avoid planting invasive species and ensure that irrigation runoff doesn't carry fertilizers or pesticides into the park's watershed. One practical tip: if you're purchasing a home backing onto Fish Creek, review the RPR carefully and compare it to what's actually built on the property. Previous owners may have constructed structures (decks, fences, garden sheds) that encroach into the environmental reserve without authorization. These unpermitted encroachments become your responsibility after purchase.