When Michael reached out to us about building a legal basement suite at his Brighton home, he had a clear goal: create a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom rental suite that would qualify for the SSI Grant and generate monthly income. Two months later, he had a fully finished, code-compliant suite — and he was so happy with the result that 3 of his family members hired us for their own projects. Here's the full story, with every stage documented in photos.
Thinking about a basement suite? Our basement suite team handles everything from permits to final inspection. Get a free quote or try our SSI Grant Calculator to see how much you could get back.
Project Overview
| Location | Brighton, Saskatoon |
| Project Type | Legal 1-Bedroom, 1-Bathroom Basement Suite |
| Timeline | 2 months (start to occupancy) |
| SSI Grant Eligible | Yes — up to $35,000 back |
| Key Features | Separate entrance, full kitchen, marble tile bathroom, open-concept living, bedroom with closet |
| Estimated Rental Income | $1,400+/month |
Phase 1: The Starting Point — Raw Basement
Every basement suite starts the same way: a raw, unfinished space with concrete walls, exposed framing, and bare subfloor. Here's what this Brighton home looked like before we started.
Before — Bare Basement
Before — Insulation & Ductwork
Before — Subfloor & Framing
Before — Raw SpaceThe basement had standard ceiling height and existing plumbing rough-ins, which kept costs down. But it needed everything else: framing for room layouts, electrical, full plumbing, HVAC zoning, fire separation, egress windows, and a separate entrance.
Phase 2: Framing & Rough-In
With permits approved, our crew got to work laying out the floor plan. Every room — bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living area, hallway, and closets — was framed, with electrical and plumbing rough-ins completed before any drywall went up.
Living Area Framing
Bedroom Framing
Bedroom Layout
Hallway Framing
Kitchen Framing
Living Area Progress
Bathroom Framing
Bathroom Plumbing
Closet Framing
Storage ClosetWhy Framing Matters for Legal Suites
For a suite to be legal in Saskatoon, room layouts must meet the National Building Code of Canada 2020: bedrooms need egress windows, the bathroom needs proper ventilation, and the ceiling must have fire-rated 5/8" Type X drywall for fire separation from the home above. Getting the framing right is the foundation of a code-compliant build.
Phase 3: Drywall & Finishing Prep
Once framing passed inspection and all rough-ins were complete, drywall went up throughout the suite. Walls were taped, mudded, and sanded smooth. Recessed lighting was installed in every room. The stairwell for the separate entrance also took shape during this phase.
Living Area Drywall
Taping & Mudding
Bedroom Drywall
Ready for Paint
Stairwell Drywall
Stairwell Shelving
Stairwell FinishedPhase 4: Bathroom Tile & Fixtures
The bathroom got marble tile throughout the shower surround, a white acrylic tub/shower combo, and recessed LED lighting. Tile work is one of those details that separates a basement suite that rents fast from one that sits empty.
Tile Installation
Shower Tile CompletePhase 5: Kitchen Installation
The kitchen went from bare framing to a fully installed modern kitchen with white shaker cabinets, light countertops, stainless steel gas range, dishwasher, and vinyl plank flooring throughout.
Kitchen Taking Shape
Kitchen CompleteWant a Kitchen Like This in Your Basement Suite?
We handle the full build — permits, plumbing, electrical, cabinets, counters, and appliances. Get a free quote and we'll walk you through exactly what your project would look like.
Get Your Free QuoteThe Finished Suite
After 2 months of construction, this Brighton home went from a raw, unfinished basement to a fully legal 1-bedroom suite ready for its first tenant. Here's the finished result.
Kitchen
Open Kitchen
Kitchen Detail
Kitchen & Hallway
Living Area
Bathroom
Bedroom
Separate EntranceFinal KitchenThe Numbers: ROI & SSI Grant
Here's what the financial picture looks like for this project:
| Estimated Monthly Rent | $1,400+ |
| Annual Rental Income | $16,800+ |
| SSI Grant (up to) | $35,000 back |
| Property Value Increase | Estimated $40,000-$60,000 |
With the SSI Grant covering up to 35% of eligible costs and rental income starting immediately after occupancy, most homeowners see a full payback in 3-4 years. After that, it's pure cash flow. Read our basement suite ROI guide for a deeper breakdown.
SSI Grant Eligibility
This project qualifies for the full SSI Grant because it's a NEW legal secondary suite with separate entrance, full kitchen, full bathroom, egress windows, and fire separation. Use our SSI Grant Calculator to estimate your rebate.
3 Family Referrals — And Counting
The best measure of a contractor's work isn't what they say about themselves — it's what happens after the project is done. Michael was so happy with the result at this Brighton home that he referred 3 of his family members to us. All three hired us for their own projects.
That's 4 total projects from one family, all from the trust built during this single basement suite build. No amount of advertising beats a recommendation from someone who's been through the process.
Why Referrals Matter When Choosing a Contractor
Before you hire a general contractor in Saskatoon, ask them one question: how many of your past clients have referred family members? A contractor who delivers on time, on budget, and with quality finishes earns referrals naturally. If they can't give you references, that tells you something. Read our guide on how to hire a general contractor in Saskatoon for more tips.
What's Included in a Legal Basement Suite?
For anyone wondering what goes into a build like this, here's what this Brighton home included:
Ready to Build Your Own Basement Suite?
Whether you're in Brighton, Stonebridge, Evergreen, or anywhere in Saskatoon — we build legal basement suites that qualify for the SSI Grant and start generating income from day one. Every project includes full permit handling, transparent pricing, and a 2-3 month timeline.
Get Your Free Basement Suite Quote
Tell us about your home and we'll give you a detailed estimate — including what you could get back from the SSI Grant. No pressure, no obligation.
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