Transform your duplex or triplex into a single-family home
We all know the challenges of urban living. We love the perks, but we also know that living space is often a luxury. Finding a reasonably priced 3- or 4-bedroom apartment in Montreal is a real challenge!
That’s why we’ve seen so many Montrealers choose a duplex or triplex for their first purchase. It’s a brilliant strategy: you pay off the mortgage slowly, watch the property’s value increase, and then, once the conditions are ideal, you take the plunge: you buy back a unit and transform it into a single-family home.
If you like the idea of converting your duplex into a large home for your family, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll help you with this exciting project.
5 Steps to Converting a Duplex-Triplex into a Single-Family Home
If you’re considering converting your duplex into a single-family home, we’ve prepared the five essential steps for a successful project.
1. Planning the Transformation
The first step is to plan carefully. Who will be living in this new home? For how long? We’re here to help you answer these questions. We evaluate the number of bedrooms, the size of the bathrooms, and the kitchen remodel, and we help you imagine all the possibilities. At this stage, we draw up preliminary plans and an initial cost estimate to ensure the budget is adhered to. Once approved, these plans are used for the final bid and obtaining your renovation permit.
2. The Structural Engineer: An Essential Partner
This is where preliminary plans become essential. If you’re dreaming of an open-concept space or large windows, a structural engineer is essential. They will determine whether you need to replace load-bearing walls with beams or columns. This is a project that can have a significant impact on the budget, so we make sure to factor it in from the very beginning of the planning process. We work closely with an engineer to ensure the final plans reflect both your vision and technical constraints.
3. The Renovation Permit
Before you begin, it’s crucial to check the feasibility of your project. Regulations have changed, and many Montreal boroughs have strict rules regarding the conversion of duplexes or triplexes. We strongly recommend that you check with your municipal permit office before purchasing or planning anything.
4. Stairs and Access to the New Single-Family Home
When joining two homes to create one, the question of the staircase inevitably arises. Should you keep it? Should you move it? Should you install a new one that will become the centerpiece of the house? Now’s the time to think about it. We’ll present you with a host of options tailored to your style and budget. We also ensure that building access points are properly modified to accommodate the new single-family function.
5. The Building Envelope of Your Duplex or Triplex
Why not take advantage of this major renovation to improve the building envelope? It’s the perfect opportunity to redo the roof, replace the doors and windows, or install a French drain. Most Montreal duplexes and triplexes date back to before the 1960s, meaning their exterior walls are not insulated. Therefore, it’s worth considering adding a new structure for insulation, an improvement that will have a major impact on your comfort and your energy bill.
This type of project may seem daunting, but it’s a dream come true every time. To avoid getting lost in the many challenges associated with older buildings (plumbing, electrical, structure, etc.), the best thing to do is entrust your project to a team experienced in handling them. Our integrated approach with multidisciplinary teams makes perfect sense in this context: it guides you from inspiration to completion, so that you always remain in control.
Tell us about your project
Every project is a story. A meeting between your vision and our expertise. In Montreal and the surrounding area, we bring to life renovations that combine aesthetics, functionality, and durability.