Evergreen Community Profile
Evergreen is a popular southwest Calgary community in Ward 14, developed starting in 2003 and reaching build-out around 2015. Located between Fish Creek Provincial Park to the south and the Somerset-Bridlewood CTrain station to the northwest, the community features approximately 4,000 modern homes - a mix of single-family houses, townhomes, and paired homes - served by some of Calgary’s highest-rated school options and a community association with year-round programming.
Rental and resale outcomes depend on current comparable listings, financing, insurance, operating costs, and the property itself; confirm assumptions before relying on project math.
Rental, vacancy, and resale outcomes depend on current comparable listings, property condition, financing, insurance, operating costs, and management; verify assumptions before relying on project math.
Legal Suite Planning in Evergreen
- Suite construction cost: $58,000–$78,000 (OAF written scope; permit path reviewed for the address; City approval remains separate)
- Rental economics: Confirm current comparable rents, vacancy, insurance, financing, and operating costs for the property. SSIP pathway: Calgary’s program status, eligible work, funding limits, and waitlist are controlled by the City; verify the current City page before planning around it.
- Payback: Model only after a property-specific quote and current operating assumptions are confirmed.
- Resale value: Confirm any value effect with current comparable sales or a licensed appraiser; OAF does not promise an uplift.
Why Evergreen Homeowners Choose OAF
Scope clarity. We review property-specific conditions before pricing and document the approved scope, allowances, exclusions, and change process in writing; City approvals and site conditions remain separate from the planning range.
Experience with 2003–2015 SW Calgary builds. We know the standard floor plans, ceiling heights, and rough-in plumbing locations common to Evergreen’s builders. This knowledge accelerates layout design and eliminates mid-project surprises.
Permit coordination. We map the permits and inspections required for the address, prepare the agreed submission scope, and keep the homeowner informed; City approvals and timelines remain with the authority.
SSIP guidance. Eligibility, funding limits, and waitlist status are controlled by the City; the homeowner applies directly.
Services Available in Evergreen
Lifestyle Basement Development
Evergreen’s 1,100–1,400 sq ft basement footprints are ideal for family-focused lifestyle builds: open-concept playrooms with storage walls, teen recreation spaces, home offices with egress window light, and 3-piece bathrooms that eliminate morning traffic jams upstairs. Many owners combine a lifestyle space with a small hobby or fitness area. Typical cost range: $58,000–$90,000 (written scope; permit path reviewed for the address; City approval remains separate)
Legal Secondary Suite
Fish Creek Park proximity and LRT access at Somerset-Bridlewood make Evergreen suites attractive to young professionals, healthcare workers commuting to South Health Campus, and small families who need a second income to manage their mortgage. We design suites with a private rear or side entrance, full kitchen, independent laundry, and soundproofed assemblies. Typical cost range: $58,000–$78,000 (written scope; permit path reviewed for the address; City approval remains separate)
Evergreen Construction Considerations
Soil and site: Evergreen basements sit on clay-dominant soil, typical of southwest Calgary. The soil is workable for egress window installation and straightforward for standard foundation work. Some lots at the Fish Creek edge have higher moisture content seasonally; we assess and install sump systems where warranted before framing begins.
Ceiling height: Homes built 2003–2014 typically have 8.5–9 ft unfinished height from concrete to the underside of the joists. Many also have rough-in plumbing stubs already in place for a future bathroom. After framing, insulation, and drywall, finished heights land at 8–8.5 ft - well above minimum suite requirements and comfortable for lifestyle builds.
City of Calgary permits: Review times and permit requirements vary by address, scope, submission completeness, and the current municipal queue; confirm the authority’s guidance before scheduling.
Common Challenges We Solve
- Rough-in plumbing stub alignment: Builder rough-in stubs are placed for a generic floor plan, not your suite layout. We reroute and add drain and supply lines as needed to place the kitchen and bathroom where they actually work for your design.
- Egress window sizing for suite bedrooms: Some 2003–2008 homes have smaller basement window openings that do not meet current egress requirements for legal bedrooms. We cut, frame, and install compliant egress windows as standard scope on suite projects.
- Seasonal moisture near Fish Creek: Lots backing onto Fish Creek greenspace or drainage corridors can experience elevated soil moisture in spring. We identify these lots at consultation and include appropriate sump and drainage scope before framing.
Pricing Guide: Evergreen Basement Development
| Scope | Typical Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle (1,000 sq ft) | $58,000–$75,000 | Framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical, HVAC, permits |
| Lifestyle (1,200+ sq ft) | $72,000–$90,000 | As above + wet bar or 3-piece bath |
| Legal Suite (800 sq ft) | $58,000–$68,000 | Full suite, separate entrance, kitchen, bath, laundry, permits |
| Legal Suite (900+ sq ft) | $66,000–$78,000 | As above + premium finishes |
Planning range: Published amounts are illustrative; the written scope identifies included work, allowances, exclusions, and documented changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Evergreen
My Evergreen home already has a rough-in bathroom. Does that reduce the suite cost? Yes, modestly. Builder rough-in stubs reduce the drain-and-supply rough-in labour, but suite cost is primarily driven by framing, insulation, drywall, kitchen installation, separate entrance construction, and permits - not just plumbing. Expect a reduction of $1,500–$3,000 depending on stub placement relative to your actual kitchen and bathroom layout.
How competitive is the Evergreen rental market for legal suites? Rental and resale outcomes depend on current comparable listings, property condition, financing, insurance, operating costs, and management; verify assumptions before relying on project math.
What is the SSIP grant and how do I apply? Eligibility, funding limits, and waitlist status are controlled by the City; the homeowner applies directly. SSIP status: Eligibility, funding limits, and waitlist status are controlled by the City; the homeowner applies directly.
Can I add a legal suite without a separate exterior entrance? No. A separate entrance is a mandatory requirement for a legal secondary suite under the City of Calgary’s Secondary Suite Bylaw. The entrance must be directly accessible from outside without passing through the primary unit. In most Evergreen two-storeys, we construct a side or rear entrance via a new stairwell and door. We site-assess this at the free consultation.
How long will the project disrupt our daily life? Planning allowance: Timing depends on scope, City review, revisions, procurement, weather, and site conditions; a project-specific schedule follows the approved scope and permit path.
Local planning note: permit, zoning, inspection, rental, and incentive requirements are address-specific and can change. Calgary homeowners should review the City of Calgary basement guidance; Airdrie homeowners should confirm the current City of Airdrie path for their address.