Recently Asked Questions
Browse the latest questions from Calgary homeowners.
Do I need a permit for an EV charger in Calgary?
Yes, you almost certainly need a permit for an EV charger installation in Calgary. Any new electrical circuit — includin...
Does Calgary have a tree protection bylaw?
Yes, Calgary does have tree protection provisions, though the rules differ depending on whether the trees are on public...
How long does an Alberta builders lien last?
In Alberta, a builders lien (now officially called a "construction lien" under the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien...
What causes Calgary basement seepage in spring?
Spring basement seepage in Calgary is almost always caused by snowmelt and rain overwhelming your drainage systems at th...
How is a Calgary sump discharge routed?
In Calgary, sump pump discharge must be routed to daylight on your property — never into the sanitary sewer, weeping til...
Who inspects Calgary deficiencies at handover?
At handover of a new home in Calgary, deficiencies are typically reviewed through a combination of a builder-conducted w...
Does Calgary hail affect roofing material choice?
Absolutely — Calgary's hail exposure is one of the most important factors in roofing material selection, and it's someth...
Is replacing poly-B plumbing something I can do myself in Alberta?
Replacing poly-B plumbing in Alberta is not a DIY project — it requires a licensed plumber and permits. While homeowners...
Who removes a buried Calgary oil tank?
Buried oil tank removal in Calgary is handled by environmental contractors specializing in underground storage tank (UST...
Where does vermiculite turn up in Calgary homes?
Vermiculite insulation shows up most commonly in attic spaces in Calgary homes built or renovated between the 1950s and...
Does a Calgary backwater valve get a rebate?
Yes, Calgary homeowners can get a rebate for installing a backwater valve — up to $1,250 through the City of Calgary's S...
What egress does a Calgary suite bedroom need?
A bedroom in a Calgary secondary suite or backyard suite must have an egress window that allows occupants to escape in a...
What frost depth do deck footings need in Calgary?
Deck footings in Calgary must extend a minimum of 1.2 metres (4 feet) below finished grade — one of the deepest frost re...
Before buying an infill lot in Calgary, what should I confirm?
Before buying an infill lot in Calgary, you need to do serious due diligence — the wrong lot can turn a promising projec...
Frost builds up in my Calgary attic over winter, what is causing it?
Frost buildup in your Calgary attic is almost always caused by warm, moisture-laden air escaping from your living space...
When installing tiles and the basement concrete slab is not level, should you use self levelling compound or level with thinset?
For tile installation over an uneven basement slab, the right answer depends on how much variation you're dealing with —...
For a basement development do you install prehung doors before installing tiles and LVP?
For basement development, the standard sequence is to install prehung doors before flooring — but with one important nua...
Which shingles hold up to Calgary hail storms?
For Calgary's hail-prone climate, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are your best choice — they're the highest rating av...
What does bonding protect a Calgary homeowner from?
Bonding protects you as a Calgary homeowner from financial losses caused by a contractor's dishonest or fraudulent acts...
What if you are on a time crunch to follow the manufacturer recommendation to paint, seal and hung all pre hung doors before the 6 days from being bought, can you install flooring and tiles after and do you cut the tiles around the door jamb or cut the door jamb to slide the tiles under?
Yes, you can absolutely install flooring and tile after hanging your pre-hung doors — and in fact, that's the preferred...
What if you are on a time crunch to follow the manufacturer recommendation to paint, seal and hung all pre hung doors before the 6 days from being bought?
If you're racing against the manufacturer's 6-day window, prioritize sealing all six sides of every door blank first — t...
Do you need to install doors and jambs before flooring and tiles for bathroom?
In most cases, you should install flooring and tile before setting your door jambs, but the door slab itself goes in las...
Does a Calgary change order need signing?
Yes — in Calgary (and across Alberta), change orders should always be signed by both the homeowner and the contractor be...
What should I check before buying a 1980s Calgary home with poly-B?
Poly-B plumbing is one of the most significant red flags in any 1980s Calgary home purchase, and it deserves serious att...
The furnace runs nonstop through a Calgary cold snap, is that normal?
Yes, during a severe Calgary cold snap, a furnace running continuously is completely normal — and often expected. Modern...
What insulation suits a Calgary attic to prevent ice dams?
For Calgary attics, blown-in cellulose or fibreglass insulation at R-50 to R-60 is the gold standard for preventing ice...
Does my Calgary basement need weeping tile before I finish it?
Weeping tile assessment is one of the most important steps before finishing your Calgary basement — and in many cases, y...
Is weeping tile standard on Calgary homes?
Yes, weeping tile is standard on virtually all Calgary homes — and given our soil conditions and climate, it's not optio...
Water is coming through my Calgary basement wall, how do I stop it?
Water coming through a basement wall in Calgary almost always means you have a drainage or waterproofing failure on the...
Does a Calgary garage suite need its own address?
Yes, a garage suite in Calgary typically gets its own civic address — the City of Calgary assigns a separate address to...
How do I prep a Calgary home for chinook freeze-thaw swings?
Calgary's chinook freeze-thaw cycles are genuinely one of the harshest conditions any home in Canada faces — and preppin...
What should I budget for radon mitigation in Calgary?
Radon mitigation in Calgary typically costs between $1,500 and $3,500 for a standard sub-slab depressurization system —...
What is Calgary's Land Use Bylaw?
Calgary's Land Use Bylaw (LUB) is the City of Calgary's primary zoning regulation that controls how land and buildings c...
What makes a Calgary cost plus contract risky?
A cost plus contract shifts all financial risk to you, the homeowner — the contractor gets paid no matter what the proje...
How far ahead do Calgary contractors book up?
In Calgary, most in-demand contractors book 4–12 weeks out during peak season, and popular trades like framers, electric...
What egress window size does a Calgary basement suite need?
A basement bedroom in a Calgary suite requires an egress window with a minimum opening of 0.35 square metres (3.77 sq ft...
Does a new garage pad in Calgary need a development permit?
In most cases, a new garage pad (concrete slab) in Calgary does not require a development permit on its own — but it dep...
Am I allowed to develop my own basement in Calgary?
Yes, you can develop your own basement in Calgary — but there are important rules, permits, and limitations you need to...
How is a Calgary designated substance survey ordered?
A designated substance survey (DSS) in Calgary is ordered by hiring an accredited environmental consulting firm or indus...
Roughly what does poly-B replacement cost in a Calgary home?
Poly-B replacement in a Calgary home typically runs $4,000–$15,000+, depending on the size of the home and complexity of...
Can I move the gas line for a Calgary kitchen island?
Yes, a gas line can be relocated for a kitchen island in Calgary — but this is not a DIY project under any circumstances...
Who employs Calgary's Safety Codes Officers?
Calgary's Safety Codes Officers (SCOs) are employed by the City of Calgary itself — they work within the City's Developm...
What Calgary work continues through winter?
Most interior renovation work continues year-round in Calgary, and even some exterior trades push through winter with th...
What radon level triggers Calgary mitigation?
Health Canada's action level for radon is 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m³) — at or above this level, mitigatio...
How is a Calgary secondary suite legalized?
Legalizing a secondary suite in Calgary is a multi-step process involving a development permit, building permit, and ins...
How does the builders lien holdback work in Alberta?
In Alberta, the construction lien holdback is governed by the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (PPCLA), which re...
Does Calgary hail damage affect a renovation?
Yes, Calgary hail damage can absolutely affect a renovation — and it's one of the most important things to assess before...
What is a Calgary backyard suite?
A Calgary backyard suite is a self-contained secondary dwelling unit built on the same residential lot as the primary ho...
Is a permit required to remove asbestos in a Calgary home?
Yes, asbestos removal (abatement) in Calgary requires compliance with Alberta's asbestos regulations, but the permit str...
Why do ice dams keep forming on my Calgary roof every February?
Ice dams form when heat escaping from your living space melts snow on your roof, and that meltwater refreezes at the col...
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