Basement development vs renovation: what's the difference?

The words get used loosely, and it matters less what you call the project than what the work involves. In most conversations around Edmonton, development means turning unfinished space into living space, and renovation means changing a basement that's already finished.

Basement development or finishing

This usually means starting from bare concrete and studs and adding rooms such as a family room, bedroom or bathroom. Development and finishing are often the same thing: municipalities around Edmonton use both words for this kind of project. In Edmonton, building or finishing a living or recreation room, bedroom or bathroom needs a permit.

Basement renovation

A renovation changes what's already there. It can be small or close to a full rebuild, and the permits depend on the work rather than the name of the project.

• No permit in Edmonton: replacing flooring, painting, installing kitchen cabinets and replacing windows of the same size.
• Permit in Edmonton: adding or changing the size of a window or exterior door, structural changes, finishing a bedroom or bathroom, and repairs after fire or flood damage.

Where a legal suite fits in

A secondary suite is a different kind of project. It's a separate dwelling with its own living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, plus its own entrance, and it has its own permit and code requirements. If you may want to rent the space later, say so before the plans are drawn. It can change the layout, the heating and the entrance.

Which one do you have?

• Bare walls and an open floor: most likely a development.
• Finished, but dated or badly laid out: most likely a renovation.
• Finished without permits: mention it early, because some work may need to be opened up and inspected.
• A separate home for a tenant or family member: a secondary suite.

Rules differ from town to town, so check with your municipality before you start. In Alberta, the homeowner is ultimately responsible for making sure the necessary permits are in place before work starts.