Page 5 - Real Estate Now May-June 2022

Zoning
A good start before looking for contractors is to check with your local zoning office and determine what, if any,
zoning restrictions may be in place for your home. Some neighbourhoods limit additions and even restrict building
an additional storey to dwellings.
Find a good contractor

Trust is key for this kind of project, so it’s best to
take your time when searching for and choosing
the right contractor. An experienced contractor
will be well-versed in the building code and
know exactly what options are available to you.
It’s a good idea to get recommendations from
your REALTOR®, family, or friends before turning
to Google, and always check their work history,
reviews, and ask for references. A trustworthy
contractor will provide transparency
throughout the process and will gladly provide
references on request.

Inspection and planning
Now that you’ve confirmed if the zoning allows for a vertical addition and you’ve selected a contractor, they’ll
perform an inspection to confirm project viability. You could experience speed bumps if the structure of your
home is unsuitable to bear the weight of a second
storey, whether due to age, type of construction,
distribution of structural supports, and foundation
integrity. During this time, your contractor will also
need to work with an architect or structural engineer
to help make these determinations.

Once your contractor is confident the project can
move ahead with the existing structure or with
minimal alterations or repairs, they’ll discuss your
vision and detail how to partition the space based on
your intended use. They’ll also discuss where to place
the stairs leading to the new floor, as well as services
like plumbing, heating and cooling, and electrical.
Depending on your current infrastructure, a power
distribution or service upgrade may be in order.

Approvals and permits
Once the building plan is designed, your contractor will take the approved schematic to your local planning office
and apply for a building permit. Permit approval will depend on the viability of the plans, but as long as all zoning
bylaws and building code requirements are satisfied, this shouldn’t be a roadblock.
In the event you need to apply for a zoning variance, this could extend the timeline of your project since the
application and permit must be visibly posted on-premises, and a public hearing held to allow any neighbours with
concerns regarding the proposal to be heard and addressed.

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