Transforming a duplex into a multigenerational house

A couple of additional upgrades along the way

With a newborn joining the family and a grandfather who wanted to be closer to them, Philippe needed a bigger space to accommodate his expanding household. He also saw an opportunity to give his house a bit of a refresh with other renovations to increase the usability of his previously more restrictive space.

His home extension included two floors, a basement, and a new concrete foundation. In addition, he also requested a complete bathroom remodel, an additional second-story bathroom, and an open concept for his kitchen/living room.

To strengthen the foundation of the home, underpinning work was required between the existing foundation and the new walls. The general contractor also added masonry wall openings on the first and second floors to create a large open space on each level, extending to the new back-facing windows. In addition, the crew built large windows to bring more light into the house, as per the homeowner’s asks.

Living inside the renovations

The one thing that Philippe would have done differently is to factor in alternative living arrangements during renovations. With both him and his partner working from home, it was difficult to coordinate the logistics of living through the construction work. They had to move between floors as renovations were happening — one day they would be in the basement while work was being done on the ground floor, and the other they would find themselves moving up to the second floor so the basement could be renovated. There was a lot of noise, dust, and people coming in and out of the home which left them with little intimacy. His most prized advice to homeowners looking to renovate? Avoid living within the construction site.

Making space for new and old family members

Philippe and his wife welcomed a second child into the family and found themselves in need of more room. With two rambunctious tykes in tow, the couple was looking for a housing solution that would allow them to accommodate their growing family and daily playtime rowdiness. At the same time, the grandfather expressed an interest in being closer to the couple and their children, hinting at the idea of aging in place.

Wavering between moving out or staying put, the couple decided that they would rather invest in the potential of their property. A need for more space and proximity finally led them to the most beneficial solution, which was to renovate and expand their current space. Next step: transforming their duplex into a multi-generational house. Between an excavated basement, a rooftop mezzanine, or a home extension into the backyard, the latter renovation was the most appealing — giving them the most profitable square footage.

Finding the right general contractor for the job

Before working with Billdr, Philippe had a hard time getting a hold of a general contractor. For months, he searched in vain for a reputable contractor who could get the job done in time. A neighbor finally recommended Billdr, and he promptly reached out to our team. Within a week, we connected him to two contractors who provided comparable quotes based on our detailed estimate which states every single one of his project requirements. Initially unsure about how to balance his budget with this ambitious renovation, the estimate also helped him factor in his expenses and set realistic expectations. Three weeks later, the contract was signed, and construction work shortly began after. Despite an industry-wide shortage in material and labor, Philippe’s newly renovated house was delivered within 10 months.

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