My Journey Through Building and Renovating in Rural Alberta: A Personal Experience

Taking on a building or renovation project is always a challenge but doing it yourself in rural Alberta brings a whole new set of complexities and costs. As a project manager by profession, I'm no stranger to chaos, but this personal journey has been a humbling experience.

The Upfront Costs

Before even picking up a hammer, I faced a staggering $27,000 in costs. This figure covered a range of necessary expenses:

• Design plans: $5,000
• Engineering fees (due to a shallow foundation): $5,000
• New gas service (40ft): $8,000
• Development permit: $3,600
• In-floor heating design: $800
• Building permit: $3,000
• New pole transformer installation (due to insufficient block power): $2,000
• Plumbing, electrical, and gas permits: $1,200

These costs hit hard, especially since they were all before any physical work began. It’s no wonder that new builds in the area often range between $600,000 to $800,000.

Navigating Over-Engineering and Regulations

One of the biggest frustrations has been dealing with the over-engineering requirements. The existing foundation, sitting on a rock bed and free of cracks for 75 years, was deemed insufficient under current codes. This meant I had to underpin the foundation around 3 feet. Lay down 4 inches of foam for frost protection, and then add weeping tile and dimple board. The necessity of these measures, especially given the solid history of the foundation, felt excessive.

The Never-Ending Inspections

Living in the house while renovating adds another layer of complexity. The project will require 12 inspections, possibly more, as the work is done in sections. These inspections will be a hurdle, each one adding time to the project.

The High Cost of Professional Services

Initial quotes for the entire project came in around $500,000, a figure that was simply out of reach. So, I decided to take on the work myself, aiming to bring the costs down to about $225,000, albeit over a few years. The most shocking expense was the quotes for concrete work, which came in around $75,000. By handling the concrete and pumper over four trips myself, I managed to cut the costs to $15,000, plus $2,000 for forms, rebar, and disposables. My time spent on this part of the project? Worth another $6,000 I would say.

DIY Out of Necessity

This DIY approach wasn't just about saving money—it was a necessity. The costs for professional services are incredibly steep, pushing me do much of the work myself. While it has been a rewarding experience in some ways, it's also been exhausting and time-consuming.

Reflecting on the Journey

Looking back to date, this experience has made me question whether all the current building codes and fees are truly necessary or if they are simply adding an excessive burden on homeowners like myself. The high costs and complex regulations can make it almost impossible for the average person to undertake a new build or major renovation without significant financial strain. For me, this journey has been both a challenge and a learning experience, underscoring the need for a more accessible and reasonable building process.