Plans That Work
Basement Development & Secondary Suite Plans
A basement can be extra family space, a future suite, rental income or simply a part of the house that finally works better.
Drafting Smith designs basement developments and secondary suites around the space you actually have — then prepares the drawings needed to move the project forward.
Send us photos, any existing plans and a quick description of what you want to do. We’ll respond within 24 hours.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Finished basement or secondary suite interior
Recommended: strongest real basement or suite photo—bright, modern, clearly residential. Avoid generic luxury interiors that don’t read as a basement.
Start With the Space You Have
More Than Dividing Up Rooms
Basements usually come with a few things you can’t move easily.
The stairs are where they are.
So are the support posts, beams, windows, mechanical equipment and plumbing rough-ins.
The design has to work around those fixed pieces without making the basement feel like an afterthought.
That might mean creating:
- Bedrooms
- A bathroom
- A family or rec room
- A home office
- Better storage
- Laundry space
- A wet bar or kitchen
- A separate living area
- A secondary suite
A good layout makes the most of the basement while still respecting the conditions already there.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Unfinished basement with fixed constraints
Recommended: unfinished basement showing stairs, posts/beams, windows, mechanical equipment and plumbing rough-ins. This image should visually explain why basement layouts need planning.
Before Framing Starts
Plan the Basement First
Basement construction can move quickly once framing begins.
It’s much easier to move a wall on a drawing than after the studs are up.
A basement development plan helps work through things like:
01
Room Layouts
Bedrooms, living areas, bathrooms and storage should fit together without wasting space on awkward hallways.
02
Stairs & Circulation
The existing stair location often controls a large part of the layout, so the rooms need to work around it.
03
Windows & Bedrooms
Bedroom locations need to be considered alongside the windows already in the basement and the municipal requirements that apply to sleeping rooms. If a window needs to be enlarged, that can affect the foundation and may require engineering.
04
Ceiling Height
Beams, ducts and low ceilings can influence where certain rooms work — especially in older basements and secondary-suite projects.
05
Plumbing Rough-Ins
Existing bathroom or kitchen rough-ins can help shape the layout, but they don’t have to dictate it if another option makes more sense.
06
Mechanical & Utility Areas
Furnaces, water heaters, panels and other equipment still need proper access after the basement is finished.
07
Storage
Useful storage is much easier to plan in than add later.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Secondary suite interior / independent living space
Recommended: real suite kitchen/living area or compact independent living space. Show that the suite feels like a complete home, not merely a basement with a kitchenette.
Independent Living Space
Secondary Suite Plans That Work With the Home
A secondary suite is more than a basement with a kitchen added to it.
It needs to function as its own living space while also working safely and practically within the rest of the property.
Secondary suites are created for all kinds of reasons:
- Rental income
- Multigenerational living
- Family accommodation
- Older children
- Long-term flexibility
- Better use of an existing home
And they don’t have to be in the basement.
Drafting Smith can design:
- Basement secondary suites
- Main-floor or upper-level suites where permitted
- Suite-ready basements in new homes
- Detached garden or backyard suites
- Secondary suites incorporated into custom-home designs
Can My Basement Become a Secondary Suite?
Not Every Basement Can — and It’s Better to Know Early
Whether a secondary suite is possible depends on more than having enough room for a bedroom and kitchen.
The property and layout may need to satisfy requirements around:
01
Property & Zoning
The municipality first has to allow the type of suite being proposed on that property.
02
Access
How the suite is entered and how occupants get out of the space can affect the design.
03
Separation Between Living Spaces
The suite and the main home may need specific construction between them to address smoke, sound and other building requirements.
04
Heating & Ventilation
Some municipalities have specific requirements for how secondary suites are heated and ventilated. Where additional HVAC or ventilation design is required, we can incorporate that information into the plans as needed.
05
Bedrooms & Windows
Bedroom locations need to work with the applicable window and emergency-exit requirements.
06
Ceiling Heights
Low ceilings, beams and ductwork can affect whether particular areas are suitable for living space.
07
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Alarm locations and other life-safety requirements may need to be shown as part of the design and permit package.
The exact rules differ from one municipality to another.
That’s why we review the current requirements for the project location rather than using one standard suite design everywhere.
How Will the Space Be Used?
The Answer Changes the Design
Family Basement
Finishing a basement for your own family and creating a legal secondary suite are not the same project.
A family basement might simply include bedrooms, a bathroom, rec room and storage.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Family basement layout
Recommended: actual basement family-room plan or finished rec-room / bedroom layout without a full independent suite.
Legal Secondary Suite
A legal suite adds another layer of municipal and building requirements because it is intended to function as a separate dwelling.
Tell us how you want to use the space now — and how you may want to use it later.
If you’re building a new home and think you may want a suite someday, planning for that from the start is much easier than trying to retrofit one later.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Legal secondary suite plan
Recommended: real suite floor plan showing separate living space, kitchen, bedroom(s), access and other key suite features.
Existing Basements
We Work With Both
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Unfinished basement
Recommended: clean unfinished basement photo showing foundation walls, stairs, posts, windows, rough-ins and mechanical equipment.
Starting With an Unfinished Basement
An unfinished basement usually gives us more flexibility, but the layout still has to work around:
- Stairs
- Foundation walls
- Posts and beams
- Windows
- Plumbing rough-ins
- Mechanical equipment
- Electrical panels
- Ceiling heights
Once those fixed conditions are understood, we can work out the rest of the space around your priorities.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Already developed basement
Recommended: finished existing basement that is being redesigned, legalized or converted to a suite.
Already Finished?
That’s fine too.
We can document the existing layout and develop proposed drawings showing how the basement will change.
If the basement or suite was previously built without permits, tell us right away.
Drafting Smith can prepare drawings for existing or unpermitted work, but the client is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided and for any liability related to construction that has already been completed.
What We Need to Know
How Do We Get the Basement Measurements?
It depends on the project.
We may work from:
- Original builder plans
- Existing house drawings
- Contractor measurements
- Client-provided measurements
- Photos
- Real estate floor plans
- Other project documentation
The best method depends on the location, distance, type of project and how accurate the existing information is.
We review what you have first and then determine what still needs to be confirmed.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Measurement / existing-condition reference
Recommended: collage of original builder plan, tape/laser measurement photo, real estate plan and basement photos.
Permits
Need Drawings for a Basement Permit?
Many basement developments and secondary suites require drawings as part of a municipal permit application.
The exact package depends on the project and municipality, but it can include:
- Floor plans
- Room names and dimensions
- Window and door locations
- Existing and proposed layouts
- Suite separation information
- Alarm locations
- Sections or construction details
- Site information where required
Secondary suites may also involve development approval or separate electrical, plumbing, gas or mechanical permits.
Those are typically handled separately by the homeowner, builder or applicable trade.
Drafting Smith prepares the residential drawing package and checks the current requirements for the municipality.
The homeowner or builder submits the permit application, and final approval is up to the municipality.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Basement / secondary suite permit drawing sheet
Recommended: actual permit sheet showing layout, suite separation, windows, alarms, sections or construction notes.
When They're Needed
Some Basement Projects Need More Than Drafting
Depending on the work, other professionals may need to be involved.
Structural Engineer
Engineering may be required if you’re:
- Moving or removing a load-bearing wall
- Altering beams or posts
- Enlarging a foundation opening
- Adding a new exterior opening
- Making other structural changes
Drafting Smith can coordinate with the engineer and incorporate the applicable information into the plans.
Heating / Ventilation Information
If the municipality requires specific heating or ventilation information for a secondary suite, it can be incorporated into the drawing package as needed.
Licensed Trades
Electrical, plumbing and gas work commonly involve separate permits handled by the applicable trades.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Structural / HVAC coordination
Recommended: foundation window opening, beam/post detail, mechanical/HVAC diagram, or engineer-marked drawing related to a basement/suite project.
How It Works
From Existing Space to Finished Plan
01 — Tell Us About the Basement
Send us the project location, what you want to accomplish and anything you already have.
Photos, old plans and rough sketches are all useful.
02 — Review Existing Conditions
We review the fixed elements and determine what measurements or additional information still need to be confirmed.
03 — Check the Requirements
For secondary suites and permit projects, we review the current municipal requirements that affect the design.
This is where we look for potential issues before the plan gets too far along.
04 — Develop the Layout
The design is developed around the space, your priorities and the project requirements.
You’ll have an opportunity to review the layout and make changes before detailed drawings are completed.
05 — Prepare the Drawings
Once the layout is resolved, Drafting Smith prepares the applicable residential drawings.
If engineering or other technical information is required, it can be coordinated at the appropriate stage.
06 — Move Forward
Completed plans are supplied as PDF files.
Printed sets are available on request for an additional fee.
The drawings can then be used for permit submission, contractor pricing and construction planning.
Before the Walls Go Up
Make the Decisions While They're Still Easy to Change
A basement can look huge when it’s one open concrete room.
Once walls, doors, bathrooms and utility spaces start going in, that space disappears quickly.
Planning first gives you a chance to ask:
- Will the bed actually fit?
- Is there enough room around the furniture?
- Are we wasting space on hallways?
- Is the bathroom in a practical location?
- Can we still access the furnace?
- Are we using the windows properly?
- Is there enough storage?
- Could this layout work as a suite later?
Those questions are a lot cheaper to answer before construction starts.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Open basement before framing + layout overlay
Recommended: unfinished open basement or framing-stage photo, ideally paired with a simple floor-plan overlay or printed plan.
Sample Work
See How the Space Comes Together
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
REAL BASEMENT OR SECONDARY-SUITE PLAN
Recommended: actual Drafting Smith basement or secondary-suite floor plan. Remove client information and detailed dimensions while keeping room names and general room sizes visible.
A real floor plan is one of the best ways to understand what Drafting Smith does.
For website examples, identifying information and detailed dimensions can be removed while room names and general room sizes remain visible.
Suggested Caption:
Basement / secondary suite plan by Drafting Smith. Client information and detailed dimensions removed for privacy.
Selected Work
Real Spaces. Different Goals.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Basement development project
Recommended: finished basement photo or drawing from a real family basement project.
[PROJECT NAME]
[Community] · Basement Development
[Short description of what the homeowner wanted and how the layout solved the problem.]
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Secondary suite project
Recommended: suite interior, floor plan, or permit drawing from a real secondary-suite project.
[PROJECT NAME]
[Community] · Secondary Suite
[Short description of the suite type, existing conditions and what Drafting Smith designed.]
Across the Prairies
Basement & Secondary Suite Design Across Saskatchewan, Alberta & Manitoba
Drafting Smith is based in Saskatoon and works with homeowners, builders and contractors throughout the Prairies.
The process is handled remotely through online meetings, phone calls, email and digital plan review.
Our primary markets include:
We also work in surrounding communities, smaller centres and rural areas.
Secondary-suite rules vary significantly between municipalities, so each project is reviewed based on the property location and current local requirements.
Edmonton
Winnipeg
Basement & Suite FAQs
Questions About Basement and Secondary Suite Plans
No.
The property, zoning, house type, access, ceiling height, windows, size of the suite and other local requirements can all affect whether a suite is possible.
We review the project against the current municipal requirements before the design is finalized.
It depends on the municipality and the type of suite.
Access is one of the things we review early because it can have a major impact on the layout.
That depends on the local requirements.
Some municipalities have specific heating and ventilation requirements for secondary suites.
If additional HVAC or ventilation information is required, it can be built into the plans as needed.
It can be.
Ceiling height requirements can affect whether certain parts of a basement are suitable for living space or a secondary suite.
Beams and ducts matter too.
If you’re unsure, include ceiling-height information when you contact us and we can review it.
Bedroom windows may need to meet specific emergency-exit requirements.
If an existing window needs to be enlarged, that can involve foundation work and possibly engineering.
We consider that before placing bedrooms in the design.
Yes, legal secondary suites require municipal approvals.
The exact permits vary by municipality and project.
Some may require both development and building approvals, along with separate trade permits.
Yes.
Drafting Smith can prepare drawings for existing or previously unpermitted suites.
Because the work is already complete, the owner is responsible for the accuracy of the existing information and any liability related to the construction already performed.
Yes.
Planning the entrance, windows, plumbing, mechanical layout and room arrangement from the beginning can make a future or immediate suite much easier to accommodate.
Yes.
Drafting Smith can also design detached secondary living spaces such as garden or backyard suites where they are permitted.
Local zoning and development requirements still apply.
Yes.
Secondary suites may be located on another level of the home where the property, dwelling type and municipal rules allow it.
Often, yes.
Existing drawings can provide useful information, but their accuracy and ownership need to be confirmed before they’re relied on or modified.
Possibly.
Structural changes, new foundation openings, beams, posts or other conditions may require engineering.
When engineering is needed, Drafting Smith can coordinate with the engineer and incorporate the relevant information into the plans.
Turnaround depends on the project size, complexity, municipal requirements and Drafting Smith’s workload at the time.
We’ll discuss the anticipated timeline after reviewing the project.
Pricing depends on the scope, existing conditions and drawings required.
Estimates are free.
Send us the project details and we’ll review the scope and respond within 24 hours.
Planning a Basement or Secondary Suite?
Start With the Space You Have
You don’t need the layout figured out.
Send us:
- Photos of the basement or space
- Any existing house plans
- A rough sketch if you have one
- Ceiling height
- Window sizes
- Furnace and mechanical location
- Plumbing rough-ins
- Whether the space is for your family, a rental suite or both
We’ll review the project and help determine what’s realistic and what drawings are needed.
Estimate requests are reviewed within 24 hours.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
Finished basement / secondary suite result
Recommended: strongest completed basement or suite photo. Ideally bright, practical and representative of the type of residential work Drafting Smith designs.