Evergreen Community Profile
Evergreen is a popular southwest Calgary community in Ward 14, developed starting in 2003 and reaching build-out around 2015. Located between Fish Creek Provincial Park to the south and the Somerset-Bridlewood CTrain station to the northwest, the community features approximately 4,000 modern homes — a mix of single-family houses, townhomes, and paired homes — served by some of Calgary’s highest-rated school options and a community association with year-round programming.
Homes in Evergreen were built predominantly between 2003 and 2014, placing the majority in the 8.5–9 ft unfinished basement height range with poured concrete foundations and rough-in plumbing stubs in many two-storey configurations. MLS values currently run $550,000–$850,000. The City of Calgary database records more than 145 registered secondary suites in Evergreen, and demand continues to grow as the community matures. Legal suites here generate $1,400–$1,900 per month, supported by LRT access at Somerset-Bridlewood and proximity to South Health Campus at Seton.
The Fish Creek Park edge is Evergreen’s defining amenity and its strongest rental marketing point: tenants who want urban convenience alongside natural recreation choose Evergreen over fully suburban alternatives, and that preference sustains above-average southwest rental rates for a community of this age.
Legal Suite ROI in Evergreen
- Suite construction cost: $58,000–$78,000 (OAF fixed-price, permit-included)
- Estimated monthly rental income: $1,400–$1,900/mo
- SSIP grant (if eligible): up to $10,000 cash back from the City of Calgary
- Typical payback period: 4–5.5 years
- Added property value: $60,000–$85,000 (based on Calgary MLS comparables)
Why Evergreen Homeowners Choose OAF
Fixed-price commitment. Evergreen homeowners are typically mid-career professionals and families who value predictability above all else. Our fixed-price contract means the number you see at signing is the number on your final invoice — period.
Experience with 2003–2015 SW Calgary builds. We know the standard floor plans, ceiling heights, and rough-in plumbing locations common to Evergreen’s builders. This knowledge accelerates layout design and eliminates mid-project surprises.
Permit-complete delivery. Every OAF project includes the full City of Calgary permit package — development, building, electrical, and plumbing — filed simultaneously to minimize the approval window between contract signing and construction start.
SSIP guidance. Evergreen’s 145+ registered suites mean the SSIP application process is well-documented here. We complete the application with you and help you recover up to $10,000 after the city’s final inspection.
Services Available in Evergreen
Lifestyle Basement Development
Evergreen’s 1,100–1,400 sq ft basement footprints are ideal for family-focused lifestyle builds: open-concept playrooms with storage walls, teen recreation spaces, home offices with egress window light, and 3-piece bathrooms that eliminate morning traffic jams upstairs. Many owners combine a lifestyle space with a small hobby or fitness area. Typical cost range: $58,000–$90,000 (fixed-price, permit-included)
Legal Secondary Suite
Fish Creek Park proximity and LRT access at Somerset-Bridlewood make Evergreen suites attractive to young professionals, healthcare workers commuting to South Health Campus, and small families who need a second income to manage their mortgage. We design suites with a private rear or side entrance, full kitchen, independent laundry, and soundproofed assemblies. Typical cost range: $58,000–$78,000 (fixed-price, permit-included)
Evergreen Construction Considerations
Soil and site: Evergreen basements sit on clay-dominant soil, typical of southwest Calgary. The soil is workable for egress window installation and straightforward for standard foundation work. Some lots at the Fish Creek edge have higher moisture content seasonally; we assess and install sump systems where warranted before framing begins.
Ceiling height: Homes built 2003–2014 typically have 8.5–9 ft unfinished height from concrete to the underside of the joists. Many also have rough-in plumbing stubs already in place for a future bathroom. After framing, insulation, and drywall, finished heights land at 8–8.5 ft — well above minimum suite requirements and comfortable for lifestyle builds.
City of Calgary permits: Evergreen is processed through SW Calgary permit queues, typically 6–10 weeks for a full development + building + electrical + plumbing package. We submit all permits simultaneously so approval runs concurrently with material procurement.
Common Challenges We Solve
- Rough-in plumbing stub alignment: Builder rough-in stubs are placed for a generic floor plan, not your suite layout. We reroute and add drain and supply lines as needed to place the kitchen and bathroom where they actually work for your design.
- Egress window sizing for suite bedrooms: Some 2003–2008 homes have smaller basement window openings that do not meet current egress requirements for legal bedrooms. We cut, frame, and install compliant egress windows as standard scope on suite projects.
- Seasonal moisture near Fish Creek: Lots backing onto Fish Creek greenspace or drainage corridors can experience elevated soil moisture in spring. We identify these lots at consultation and include appropriate sump and drainage scope before framing.
Pricing Guide: Evergreen Basement Development
| Scope | Typical Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle (1,000 sq ft) | $58,000–$75,000 | Framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical, HVAC, permits |
| Lifestyle (1,200+ sq ft) | $72,000–$90,000 | As above + wet bar or 3-piece bath |
| Legal Suite (800 sq ft) | $58,000–$68,000 | Full suite, separate entrance, kitchen, bath, laundry, permits |
| Legal Suite (900+ sq ft) | $66,000–$78,000 | As above + premium finishes |
All prices are fixed-price. The number in your quote is the number on your final invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions — Evergreen
My Evergreen home already has a rough-in bathroom. Does that reduce the suite cost? Yes, modestly. Builder rough-in stubs reduce the drain-and-supply rough-in labour, but suite cost is primarily driven by framing, insulation, drywall, kitchen installation, separate entrance construction, and permits — not just plumbing. Expect a reduction of $1,500–$3,000 depending on stub placement relative to your actual kitchen and bathroom layout.
How competitive is the Evergreen rental market for legal suites? Vacancy rates for well-finished suites in Evergreen are consistently low. The combination of Fish Creek Park access, LRT at Somerset-Bridlewood, and quality schools makes Evergreen attractive to a wide tenant pool. Two-bedroom legal suites here typically rent within two to four weeks of listing at $1,500–$1,900 per month depending on finish quality.
What is the SSIP grant and how do I apply? The City of Calgary’s Secondary Suite Incentive Program provides up to $10,000 to homeowners who add a permitted legal suite to their primary residence. OAF handles the application paperwork as part of our standard project delivery. The grant is disbursed by the City after the final inspection confirms code compliance.
Can I add a legal suite without a separate exterior entrance? No. A separate entrance is a mandatory requirement for a legal secondary suite under the City of Calgary’s Secondary Suite Bylaw. The entrance must be directly accessible from outside without passing through the primary unit. In most Evergreen two-storeys, we construct a side or rear entrance via a new stairwell and door. We site-assess this at the free consultation.
How long will the project disrupt our daily life? For a legal suite build: expect 8–10 weeks of active construction after permit approval. Our crews work standard weekday hours. The most disruptive phases are egress window cutting (one day) and rough-in plumbing (two to three days). We coordinate these windows with your schedule in advance and leave the work area secured and clean each evening.