Over the years, I’ve met many different types of clients through my architecture practice.
Some are “thinking” of building their forever homes, some need to finish renovating their leased office quickly, and then there are those who approach the decision process like a checklist.
One memorable case was a retired couple referred by a past client.
They emailed me with three different dates for a phone call to discuss a project they had in mind.
Their clear and concise writing style gave me a feeling that I’d enjoy the conversation—even if the project didn’t materialize, which happens often.
After the usual greetings, the husband started with,
“I have five questions I would like to ask before making a decision about building a small house on my property.”
Five questions only!
Here are the top five questions he asked at the meeting, and none of them involved kitchen island drop light fixtures.
1. What are the zoning and bylaw regulations for building a separate unit on my property?
This is an absolute must-have question, and it was a great starting point.
New regulations, especially in Toronto, have been popping up due to the lack of housing and rising costs.
The popularity of small houses—laneway houses, garden suites, tiny homes—has skyrocketed.
A laneway house is a residential unit separate from the primary residence, typically at the back of the property.
Despite their size, these houses require the same health and safety standards as regular homes, making approval processes just as rigorous.
He was right to prioritize this question. Understanding zoning and bylaw regulations is crucial before considering a secondary suite.
He made it clear he didn’t want to go through the city’s rezoning or committee of adjustment processes.
Clearly, he had done his research!
2. What are the costs involved?
Ah, the dreaded cost question. “How much is this going to cost me?”
It’s a tough one because the answer is always, “It depends.”
However, I pointed him to a study by the Gladki Group, which estimates construction costs around $300,000 to $400,000 (though many contractors might disagree).
Giving a rough estimate isn’t usually helpful, but I made an exception for this well-prepared client.
He understood the cost would evolve depending on his family’s decisions. It was refreshing to talk to someone who got that.
3. How will this affect property value and taxes?
This was a particularly insightful question.
Often, people overlook the financial ripple effects of adding a secondary unit to their property. Property value and taxes are significant factors to consider.
I explained that adding a laneway house or garden suite could increase the overall value of his property. It could make his home more attractive to future buyers, especially in a city like Toronto where additional living spaces are highly sought after.
However, with increased property value could come with higher property taxes.
I suggested he speak to his real estate broker or lawyer to get accurate information on how much his taxes might increase.
Furthermore, I shared an example of another client who added a garden suite and saw a 20% increase in their property value. However, their property taxes also went up by a similar percentage.
It’s a double-edged sword—while the investment could pay off in the long run, it’s important to be prepared for the immediate financial impact.
Additionally, I pointed him to an informative page for more research. It’s always best to get a professional opinion on these matters.
4. What is the construction timeline?
This question is similar to the cost one—it depends.
The timeline hinges on what he wants and how smooth the approval processes go (preliminary review, building permit, etc.).
In theory, building a small house of around 300 square feet should be much shorter than building regular sized houses…however in some cases, theorie stay as theories.
There are many variables that can increase the construction timeline.
5. What are the potential rental income and return on investment (ROI)?
Another solid financial question.
He admitted, “I know I should be asking this to my real estate agent… but I’d love to hear your thoughts.”
Even without a real estate agent’s knowledge, this was easy to answer.
Having a rental income property, especially one separate from the main home, is a big plus in Toronto.
With the ongoing housing crisis, having an additional property for rental income is an attractive feature for many home buyers and sellers.
Final Thoughts
Laneway and garden suite housing are hot topics in Toronto, where the lack of housing is a daily conversation.
The City’s encouragement of this type of housing is a step in the right direction for increasing the housing stock.
However, financial implications remain a significant concern for homeowners, especially those focused on future financial gains.
As my interaction with the client illustrates, practical questions need answers before even thinking about the project.
It’s understandable why his top five questions didn’t involve kitchen island light fixtures.
Have you thought about building “another” house next to your home? Or maybe you’re grappling with my client’s top five questions right now:-)
Life Outside of Design Studio 