St. Thomas ARU Design and Construction

Custom, legal and stress-free solutions for basement apartments, tiny homes, garage apartments, backyard homes, and more.

Building Smart Living Spaces in St. Thomas, faster.

Suite Builders is a trusted St. Thomas ARU design-build construction and renovation company specializing in additional residential units (ARUs) and secondary suites. We manage everything—from permit drawings and architectural design to construction and finishing—so you can create your new living space legally, efficiently, and without the headaches.

Building or converting an ARU in St. Thomas, Port Stanley, Elgin County or surrounding area can be complex. Between municipal zoning bylaws, Ontario Building Code requirements, building permits, and construction timelines, many homeowners face unexpected delays and rising costs. At Suite Builders, our integrated process eliminates miscommunications between designers and contractors, keeping your project on schedule and on budget.

Whether you’re planning a legal basement apartment, duplex, triplex, multiplex, converted garage apartment, home addition, garden suite, tiny home, or backyard home, we make it easy to turn your property into a functional, income-producing and compliant living space.

Multiplex contractor Brantford Ontario, garage apartment conversionMultiplex contractor Brantford Ontario, garage apartment conversion

WHAT WE BUILD

BASEMENT
APARTMENTS

DUPLEX, TRIPLEX &
MULTIPLEXES

TINY HOMES &
LANEWAY SUITES

GARAGE
APARTMENTS

FARM WORKER
HOUSING

OUR PROCESS

1. Discovery Call & Consultation

Tell us your vision for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), additional residential unit (ARU) or secondary suite and we’ll consult on the best option to meet your needs, goals and budget.

2. Design, Project Proposal & Permit

We create your building permit drawings, prep your building permit application, and provide a detailed project proposal, schedule and budget, in collaboration with our in-house construction team.

3. Construction & Project Management

We undertake all construction and coordinate all contractors and site services, working with our in-house design team to resolve issues efficiently and eliminate unnecessary delays.

4. Project Completion & Handover

Once the project is complete and has met our exacting standards and all municipal and Ontario Building Code requirements, we proudly hand it over to you to begin renting.

OUR STORY

A COLLABORATION OF BUILDING EXPERTISE & EXPERIENCE

Suite Builders is a collective of experienced design and construction professionals in Southern Ontario who joined together to help families and real estate investors create more affordable housing options in a more streamlined, start-to-finish process. Our fully-integrated, design-build ADU/ARU service includes consultation, planning, architectural design, permit drawings, construction and project management. By combining skills and working together from concept to completion, we eliminate unnecessary and costly delays and get projects completed, faster.

The Suite Builders team: Daryl Borden, Gary Harp, Bianca Metz & Justin Massecar.

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The St. Thomas ARU & Secondary Suite Market Is Growing Fast

In St. Thomas, Port Stanley, Elgin County and surrounding areas, property owners and investors are increasingly turning to ARUs and secondary suites as smart, flexible housing solution. With high rental demand and limited housing supply for workers, aging parents, adult children, young professionals etc., these small-scale residential units offer an affordable way to generate rental income, support multigenerational living and add value to your property.

Many homeowners are asking:

  • How to build a legal basement apartment in St. Thomas and Elgin County?
  • What are the costs and permit requirements for an Elgin County or St. Thomas ARU?
  • Can I convert my detached garage into a rental suite?

Suite Builders helps answer all these questions—and delivers fully compliant, beautifully designed living spaces that meet local zoning and Ontario Building Code standards. There’s never been a better time to take advantage of the St. Thomas ARU and secondary suite market!

Read more about the St. Thomas ARU guidelines here.

st thomas aru

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes. Most St. Thomas residential zones allow secondary suites or basement apartments, provided your home meets zoning, parking, and fire-code requirements. Suite Builders handles all design and permit approvals to ensure your suite is fully legal.

We prepare all necessary permit drawings and documentation for your submission. Our team works directly with local building departments to streamline approvals and avoid delays.

Costs vary based on size, layout, and finishes. On average, a legal basement apartment or garage conversion starts around the low six figures, while backyard homes and tiny homes are customized to your property and utilities. Because our designers work collaboratively with our contractors, we’re able to provide a highly detailed and transparent estimate before construction begins.

Many St. Thomas lots can accommodate a garage apartment, coach house, or garden suite. Our design team evaluates your property’s zoning and setback requirements to confirm feasibility before you invest.

Absolutely. With rising rents and strong demand for quality housing, St. Thomas ARUs & secondary suites offer reliable rental income and can significantly increase your property’s value.

WHY CHOOSE SUITE BUILDERS AS YOUR ST. THOMAS ARU BUILDER?

When it comes to designing and building legal accessory dwelling units and secondary suites, Suite Builders offers what others can’t—a fully integrated design-build approach.

We specialize in:

  • Basement apartments & in-law suites
  • Garage conversion apartments & coach houses
  • Garden suites & tiny homes
  • Backyard homes & laneway suites
  • Home additions & multi-unit conversions
  • Seasonal farm worker housing & bunkhouses

Our proven process eliminates the confusion, delays, and cost overruns that often happen when multiple contractors are involved. With Suite Builders, you’ll have a single, accountable team that designs, manages, and builds your project—from concept to completion.

If you’re ready to build a legal, functional, and high-value ADU/ARU or secondary suite, contact Suite Builders today to book your free discovery call.