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Selected Work

A Legal Basement in Meadowvale

A 1,200 sq ft, two-bedroom legal basement apartment in Mississauga — with a fully permitted below-grade separate entrance, designed for rental income and multigenerational living.

At a Glance

Project Details

Location
Mississauga — Meadowvale
Project Type
Legal Basement Apartment
Size
1,200 sq ft
Layout
Two bedrooms, three-piece bathroom
Timeline
Approximately three months of active construction
Permits
Full building permit and ESA certification

Scope Highlights

Structural
20-foot load-bearing wall removal with steel beam
Below-Grade Entrance
Fully permitted, engineered staircase with waterproofing and drainage
Design
Photorealistic 3D renderings + architectural drawings
Mechanical
Dedicated HVAC, code-compliant ventilation
Life Safety
Interconnected smoke and CO alarms across the full home
Trades
ScaleBig vetted network
Engineering
Stamped drawings from licensed Professional Engineer
Inspection
Full municipal sign-off

The Brief

The homeowner approached ScaleBig with two parallel goals: generate rental income from a fully legal secondary suite, and accommodate extended family with private, self-contained living space. The existing basement was unfinished and required a complete build-out — layout, structure, mechanical systems, fire and sound separation, and finishes — all coordinated to meet Ontario Building Code and Mississauga's second-suite requirements.

Design

Dina led the design phase. Layout options were developed to maximize the 1,200 sq ft footprint without compromising bedroom sizing or shared spaces. Final selections included finishes, fixtures, lighting, and a custom-tiled stand-up shower in the three-piece bathroom.

Photorealistic 3D renderings were produced before construction began, allowing the homeowner to walk through the finished space in detail and make material decisions with full confidence. Architectural drawings were developed in parallel to support the permit application and trades coordination.

Rendering & Final

Side-by-side images will be published with client release.

Structure & Engineering

The most significant construction element was the removal of a 20-foot load-bearing wall to open the basement floor plan. This work was developed in close coordination with a licensed Professional Engineer, who issued stamped drawings specifying the required support strategy.

A structural steel beam was installed to carry the load, supported by appropriately engineered posts and footings. Existing site conditions required rerouting both electrical and plumbing runs to accommodate the new structural geometry — work that was sequenced with the engineer's approval and the city inspector's sign-off at each stage.

Behind the Walls

A legal basement apartment is defined as much by what isn't visible as by what is. Substantial planning and execution went into the mechanical, electrical, and code-compliance work that sits behind the finished surfaces.

01

Below-Grade Separate Entrance

A fully permitted below-grade entrance was added to provide independent access for the suite, including excavation, an engineered retaining wall, code-compliant stairs, and integrated drainage at the building envelope.

02

Waterproofing

Waterproofing was carried out at the new below-grade entrance and at exposed foundation areas affected by the work, with attention to drainage and long-term moisture management.

03

Sump Pump

A sump pump was installed to manage groundwater and protect the finished suite from water intrusion.

04

Structural Steel Beam

A structural steel beam was installed to carry the 20-foot opening where a load-bearing wall was removed, supported by engineered posts and footings per the stamped drawings.

05

Fire Separation

Wall and ceiling assemblies were built to required fire-resistance ratings to isolate the suite from the main dwelling.

06

Sound Separation

Floor and wall sound separation was achieved using resilient channel, Roxul Safe and Sound acoustic insulation, and 5/8" drywall — a substantial upgrade beyond minimum code that significantly reduces sound transmission between units.

07

Insulation

Wall and ceiling insulation was installed to meet current Ontario Building Code requirements for energy efficiency and thermal performance.

08

Fire-Rated Pot Lights

All recessed lighting in fire-separation assemblies was installed using fire-rated fixtures, preserving the integrity of the assembly.

09

Custom Fire-Rated Doors

Self-closing, fire-rated doors were custom-sized to suit the existing openings and meet code requirements at every separation point.

10

Egress Windows

Bedroom windows were sized and positioned to meet egress requirements, ensuring a code-compliant secondary means of escape.

11

Separate Electrical Panel

A dedicated electrical panel was installed for the suite, isolating the basement service from the main dwelling.

12

Separate Plumbing Lines

Hot and cold water supply lines for the suite were run independently of the main dwelling, with dedicated shutoffs.

13

HVAC & Ventilation

A dedicated HVAC and ventilation strategy was designed for the suite, including make-up air and code-compliant exhaust ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen.

14

Washer & Dryer Hookups

Dedicated washer and dryer hookups were installed for the suite, allowing independent laundry use.

15

Interconnected Smoke and CO Alarms

Interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were installed across the full home — basement suite and main dwelling — wired together so that any alarm triggers all units simultaneously.

16

Coordinated Inspections

Each phase was coordinated with the city inspector to ensure sign-off before the next phase began — framing, rough-ins, insulation, drywall, and final occupancy.

The Finished Suite

Behind the engineering and code-compliance work sits the result the homeowner lives with and rents out. The suite was finished to a standard appropriate for long-term residential use, with attention to durability, comfort, and quality of finish throughout.

01

Kitchen

A full secondary kitchen with cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and code-compliant range ventilation — sized and laid out to serve a two-bedroom suite comfortably.

02

Bathroom

A three-piece bathroom with a custom-tiled stand-up shower, detailed during the design phase with Dina.

03

Flooring

Luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the suite, installed over DMX underlay for moisture protection, comfort underfoot, and additional thermal performance.

04

Lighting

A combination of recessed fire-rated pot lights and selected fixtures, designed for even, comfortable illumination throughout the suite.

05

Finishes

Wall finishes, trim, doors, and hardware selected during the design phase to align with the homeowner's preferences and the rental-suitability requirements of a long-term tenant unit.

06

Bedrooms

Two bedrooms sized for legal occupancy, each with code-compliant egress windows.

07

Laundry

Dedicated washer and dryer hookups for independent suite use.

Gallery

Project photography will be published with client release.

Client Note

Testimonial Pending

Testimonial to be published — the homeowner has agreed to a short video testimonial, to be added here when filming completes.

Planning a project like this?

If you're considering a legal basement apartment, structural renovation, or full home project in the GTA, we'd be glad to discuss the scope with you.

Book a Consultation

Or call Ahmad at 647-289-2823