What is a realistic timeline for a Dieppe basement apartment build?

A basement apartment in Dieppe typically takes 4 to 8 months from first permit application to move-in day, though the planning and approval phase alone can run 6 to 10 weeks depending on the complexity of your drawings and the City of Dieppe's current workload.

Here's how the timeline typically breaks down in practice:

Planning and permit application (4–10 weeks) is where most homeowners underestimate the time. You'll need drawings prepared — either by a designer or engineer depending on scope — showing the proposed layout, egress windows, fire separation details, and mechanical systems. Dieppe's Urban Planning department handles building permits; contact them at (506) 877-7900 or through dieppe.ca. With NBC 2020 Tier 2 energy requirements now in effect as of May 1, 2025, your plans need to meet updated insulation and air sealing standards, so having a designer familiar with the new code is worth the investment upfront.

Rough-in construction (6–12 weeks) covers framing, insulation, fire separation between units (minimum 45-minute fire rating required by code), rough electrical, and rough plumbing. Each of these trade stages requires separate inspections. Your electrical contractor must pull a wiring permit through NB Power (1-800-615-0522) before starting, and your plumber needs a permit through NB Dept. of Justice and Public Safety — Technical Inspection Services (TIS) at 1-888-659-3222. These inspections can add 1–2 weeks of scheduling buffer between stages, especially during busy spring and summer months when inspectors are stretched.

Finishing work (4–8 weeks) includes drywall, flooring, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, trim, painting, and final fixture connections. This phase moves faster but is highly dependent on material lead times — kitchen cabinets and specialty fixtures can run 4–6 weeks on order right now.

Final inspections and occupancy (2–4 weeks) close out the permit. TIS does final electrical and plumbing sign-offs, and the City of Dieppe building inspector does a final building inspection before you can legally rent the unit.

A few things that commonly stretch timelines in Dieppe specifically: contractor availability in the greater Moncton area is tight, particularly for licensed electricians and plumbers. Booking trades 6–8 weeks in advance is realistic. Also confirm your zoning with Dieppe Urban Planning before spending money on drawings — secondary suites are permitted in most residential zones in Dieppe, but setback requirements, parking, and entrance placement can affect your design.

On costs, budget $60,000–$120,000 for a full basement apartment conversion depending on existing conditions, bathroom and kitchen scope, and finish level. Homes in Dieppe's newer subdivisions (built 2000s onward) tend to have better starting conditions than older stock, which can keep costs toward the lower end.

Before breaking ground, ask every contractor for their WorkSafeNB clearance certificate — verify at worksafenb.ca or 1-800-999-9775. You can find licensed contractors serving the Dieppe area through the New Brunswick Construction Network directory.