Such a generic EI builder's special.

Man that's a small garage, is it a rule that they can't build double garages? What's the point of the parking pad? Or are you allowed to put like a bend pack lift to stack cars on the pad. :pokerface:

parking pad is just the bylaw requiring a parking space I'm sure

ive actually been noticing some laneways lately that have a kind of 1.5 car garage, a bit of living space on the garage level with most on the second floor. Im sure these designs are more expensive though and as a result, you never see them

For that particularly development, they probably cannot build a double garage due to lot coverage requirements, which are typically 50% of the total lot size for infills. Developers use parking pads to meet the City's on-site parking bylaw requirements.

lifts will be considered a structure (as it is anchored to the ground), and will also count in the lot coverage.

I wonder why there’s no basement. $2.4m with a rental suite would be much more appealing

They were most likely trying to stay within budget as the main focus was the house itself, not the garage

My sister built a coach home, 1.5 garage downstairs for 1 car and husband's motorcycle. This was I think almost 10 years ago and it costed close to 100k

The zoning is such that there's no point in building a basement - not enough floor space to build.

As for a rental suite that eating area is almost certainly roughed in for a second kitchen so you just need to put a wall up between the eating area and family room and you've got yourself a 1 bedroom suite. There's 2 back doors next to each other and that's only there if you're gonna suite out one side of it.

Ahh yes, that explains why there’s a weird sink in the eating area. I don’t know how that gets past city inspection; you know an illegal suite will be added at some point!

the applicant might say it is 'cultural', akin to the wok kitchens that you see in Richmond.

Burnaby is just waiting to cash in on registrations once they approve lanesways and secondary suites in duplexes.

Inspections with regards to suites are all theatre now regardless of city - everyone knows suites are being put in even if the by-law doesn't permit it so it's all wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

In Burnaby you are required to submit a form saying whether you have a suite or not at which point they charge you more for garbage and water even though your zoning doesn't allow for a suite. So you're telling me that I have to tell you if I'm breaking local by-laws and if I am all I have to do is pay a small amount of extra taxes? You won't make me stop from breaking the law?

What total theatre. Let's just admit that pretty much everyone has a suite nowadays.

Surrey tried to go after illegal suites a bunch of years back, that lasted about a minute and then they went back to not giving a fuck.

That form felt like getting a fine since it’s my first time living in Burnaby.

Even twenty years ago when a builder put up three 2000's spec houses of the era across from my parents, they fully wired a doorbell in the middle of the blank back wall. That back wall was where the eating area was.
Second doorbell was at the back door of the 'real' entrance/other ground floor suite.

Do you have an illegal suite and did you fill out the form?

Feel free to DM lol.

Not sure what the City of Burnaby is trying to do with the declaration.

It seems it's similar to the CRA and illegal activities in regards to income.

The CRA doesn't care how you make your income, but you have to declare all income and pay tax on that income. CRA only cares about the income, they don't police how you make the income.

Nice little piece about the Vancouver special and its origins:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...cial-1.6434818

IMHO the 90s specials which had double peaked roofs tend to look worse in comparison these days: overgrown moss tile roofs, pastel stucco that has been often neglected and not repainted.

Great watch. I like this guy, i've seen him a few times before!

Has anyone assembled a carport or a garage shed?

Interested to see what works to house a car.

Some interesting points in the video. Most of which is the timeline for them. 3 weeks from buying the plans to a complete build (I’m sure this means framing) lol fucking insane compared to these days in Vancouver.

I’ve watched a single family home across from my parents been cleared of trees, excavated, and framed completely in the time it took a home to get its foundation poured in east van. This is typical for Vancouver though a 8+ month build, which is ludicrous.

If you think there's zero chance CRA will report illegal income to the appropriate authorities, or that your CRA returns could never be used as evidence against you in a prosecution, you're in for a surprise!

The house at the end of my street took an entire year, probably 3000sf. Everytime I drove by I'm thinking we've done massive commercial projects in less time.

Does anyone understand how capital costs work in regards to recapture when selling a house with a rental in it.

We have a primary residence with a basement suite.

I have about $30k in renovations for the suite we are renting out. Is this considered the same thing is a capital cost allowance (CCA) if I claim it on my taxes? I will not be depreciating the house for CCA, but I'm wanting to claim the $30k as a capital cost to lower my tax bill.

Is it correct to say that once I sell the property, I will have to "recapture" the $30k in capital costs for the renovations and then pay tax on the $30k? Is that correct? or is recapture only if I depreciate the property?

I'd spend the money, and pay an accountant for his time in regards to CCA.
Find someone who deals with CCA on the regular, lots of accountants "know" how to file it, but stutter when you ask them questions on the phone...

Spending 100-200$ today for an accountant, may very well save you 10-20fold + unnecessary paperwork when CRA, or whoever may start questioning your filings

I use CCA, and this will need to be "repaid" when the property sells. (Different scenario than yours)

Money today > money tomorrow

Any recommendations for roofing contractors?

Family looking to replace our roof in the summer. Figured it would cost upwards of $20k+..