Attimo Homes
Garden Suite Process

Our simplified process to Purchase and Install your Garden Suite

Modular systems maximize efficiencies and reduce your housing costs with shortened timelines when compared to a traditional outdoor build.

Garden Suite: A detached, self-contained, ground-level residential unit situated on the same lot as a primary dwelling, often used for extended family members or rental purposes.

ARU (Additional Residential Unit): Previously referred to as Additional Dwelling Units, or ADUs, Shall mean a self-contained residential dwelling unit, complete with a separate kitchen and bathroom facilities located within, and ancillary to, an existing dwelling. Additional Residential Units may be located within the dwelling or within an accessory building or structure on the same lot. Accessory apartments, second units, coach houses, garden suites, and duplex dwelling units are all considered as Additional Residential Units. 

Garden Suite Process

01
Initial Review:

To start the Garden Suite process each interested purchaser must complete a detailed questionnaire on their needs and goals for a Garden Suite/ ADU/ARU. After reviewing your completed questionnaire with you, and discussing the guidelines to move forward with a Garden Suite, we will forward a brief LOI (Letter of Intent) which will outline our responsibilities in working with you. We will ask you to submit a $500 administration fee with the returned signed LOI which activates ATTIMO Homes to contact the Municipality on your behalf and begin the review of your property details. If your property does indeed qualify for an ADU/ ARU, and you complete a purchase, this administration fee will be credited to the final purchase price of your Garden Suite. To ensure we are providing the right size of your Garden Suite for your residential lot in adherence to local zoning and bylaws, you will need to provide an accurate site survey (or we can locate for you), to ensure we follow all lot coverage, set backs and building rules pertaining to the municipality where your property is located. Based on this information, we will work with you to suggest the best suited Garden Suite for your land.

02
Budget Review:

We work with you to help establish a budget based on size & type of building permitted and review the desired design and finishes for your Garden Suite.
Our Budget will include all estimated additional costs for permits & site prep – including removal of any existing buildings / clearing land, installing footings (piles or slab foundation) and connecting all services (electrical, water & sanitation) either through your existing residence or directly to the street.

03
Design / Permit Process:

With an approved high level budget we proceed to select a unit from one of our modular manufacturers & complete a building permit application. We require an initial deposit of 15% of the agreed upon budget to cover all design, shop drawings & engineering approvals required for permit application. You can help design your dream Garden Suite from one of our existing templates or start from an existing template and create a series of customizations. Our planners are available to manage the permit application process with the municipality, to reduce your headaches and cut through red tape.

With all our manufacturers we have fabulous architects to create beautiful Garden Suites, with any custom design elements you want. Our Garden Suites are suited for any lot type, and every square inch is engineered to maximize the living potential of every yard.

Garden Suite Process

Do you own your house? Looking to add a Garden Suite?

With ATTIMO Homes you can have a turn-key Garden Suite within a few months.

04
Features for your Garden Suite:

The following is a list of features that you can consider for your Garden Suite, whether for rental or should you want to design for your own future use. We can design your suite with any comfort or accessible features you may want. All Garden Suites include a full or half kitchen with standard appliances and finishes, and upgrades are available depending on budget or tastes. Custom furniture, custom kitchens, shelving etc. can all be reviewed. Your following are sample options you can consider:
  1. If a container Garden Suite, the exterior can be painted any colour of your choice or siding can be added…partial or full coverage.
  2. Flat capped roof with torched sealed membrane. Optional upgrades for peaked or slanted roof lines.
  3. Vinyl window and door packages.
  4. Drywall and painting as standard. Can be upgraded to pine or other cladding.
  5. High quality vinyl click engineered flooring in standard stock colours and patterns. Or upgrade to engineered or hardwood flooring.
  6. Decking. Modular at grade solutions are available.
  7. Wide glass sliding doors
    Garden Suites can also include a number of specially designed safety and support features that help people with increased mobility needs to continue living independently for a longer period of time. The following are examples of options that you can choose from:
    • Fall-safe compliant flooring throughout that reduces the risk of injury from a fall.
    • Variable-height electronically controlled counters in the kitchen and bathroom to allow you to sit or perch while cooking, doing the dishes or getting ready in the morning.
    • Wander-proof cooktop that automatically shuts off if left unattended.
    • Custom designed grab-rails throughout with motion activated strip lighting for spatial orientation at night.
    • Zero-step shower with compliant flooring.
    • Self-toileting water closet with integrated bidet or an incinerator concept toilet.
    • Motion activated safety night-lighting.
    • Fire safe sprinkler system.
    • Adjustable clothes storage for easy reach.
    • Single, double or queen size bed depending on the size of the Suite selected.
    • Medical monitoring, fall alert, and emergency call button.
    • Fully integrated easy-to-use smart home controls and security system that can be remotely accessed by family members.
    • Wheelchair accessibility throughout.

05
Your Garden Suite Build:

Work with our local Engineers and site-servicing contractors will begin about a month before your unit is set to arrive. This includes digging to connect water and sewer lines, as well as preparing the specific engineered foundation required for your exact unit. Our ATTIMO Homes project management team will handle all of the permitting, scheduling, payments and communication for this work to get done.

The majority of the work is prefabricated/modular and then your Garden Suite is delivered to site for final fitting & trades. The Garden Suite is hoisted into position by a crane.

With up to 90% of construction taking place in an Advanced Modular Manufacturing Facility, neighbouring communities don’t have to endure endless trucking/traffic, building noise, and other construction annoyances. And when your Garden Suite finally arrives, generally within 48 hours, the unit is put into place on your lot and connected with much less disruption to the neighbourhood.

06
Delivery:

Garden Suites are delivered by flatbed truck to your property and craned onto position onto client pre-prepared footings (sonotube, pads or traditional foundations).

This step is typically completed in just one-two days and your Garden Suite is now in place!
Then we connect the plumbing, electrical, and even include furniture if requested. Fixtures & appliances are shipped to your site ready-to-stack and connect, quickly and efficiently.

07
Final Finishing Touches:

Once your Garden Suite is in place we will have final trades there to finish your Suite. Water tight and roofing solutions will be added. All interior finishes ie. drywall, paint, trim & flooring, installation and final fittings for washrooms & kitchens, final painting etc. will be completed as ordered.
Scroll to Top