What's the total cost including permits for a legal secondary suite conversion in a Fredericton basement?

A legal basement suite in Fredericton typically runs $40,000–$90,000 all-in, with permits adding $1,500–$3,500 to that total. The wide range reflects the biggest variable in any conversion: how much work the existing space needs before it can meet code.

Here's how the money breaks down in the current Fredericton market.

Permits and approvals are your first stop, and in Fredericton that means the City's Development Services department at (506) 460-2020 or fredericton.ca. You'll need a development permit (confirming zoning allows a secondary suite — Fredericton permits them in many residential zones under its updated bylaw) plus a building permit. Building permit fees are calculated on construction value, typically landing in the $800–$1,800 range for a basement suite project. Budget another $500–$1,000 for the development permit and any associated application fees.

The construction itself is where costs spread out dramatically:

• Lightly finished basement (concrete floor, some framing already done): $40,000–$55,000
• Typical unfinished basement (most Fredericton homes): $55,000–$75,000
• Challenging conversion (low ceilings requiring underpinning, major waterproofing, significant electrical upgrade): $75,000–$90,000+

The National Building Code of Canada 2020 — now in effect in NB as of May 1, 2025 — sets the non-negotiables for a legal suite. Your basement needs a minimum ceiling height of 1.95m (6'5"), which is where older Fredericton homes (especially post-war bungalows common in areas like Skyline Acres or the Northside) sometimes fail. If you're short on height, underpinning or bench-footing the foundation adds $15,000–$40,000 on its own.

Other code requirements that drive cost: a separate entrance (exterior door with proper egress, grading, and possibly a stairwell — $3,000–$8,000), egress windows in every bedroom (cutting concrete block or poured walls runs $800–$2,000 per window), 45-minute fire separation between units (Type X drywall on ceiling and walls, fire-rated door assemblies), and interconnected smoke and CO alarms throughout both units.

Mechanical and electrical are significant line items. A licensed electrical contractor must pull a wiring permit through NB Power (1-800-615-0522) — the suite will almost certainly need a subpanel, and older Fredericton homes may require a service upgrade from 100A to 200A ($3,000–$6,000). All electrical work is licensed and inspected by NB Dept. of Justice and Public Safety Technical Inspection Services (TIS). Plumbing for a bathroom and kitchenette requires a licensed plumber and TIS inspection — budget $6,000–$12,000 depending on how far you are from existing drain stacks. A separate heating source for the suite (a dedicated mini-split heat pump is the most popular choice right now) runs $3,000–$6,000 installed.

One thing Fredericton homeowners often overlook: radon. New Brunswick has some of the highest radon levels in Canada, and Fredericton sits on geology that elevates the risk further. Before you seal up that basement, spend $30–$50 on a long-term test kit. If levels exceed Health Canada's 200 Bq/m³ guideline (roughly 1 in 4 NB homes do), a sub-slab depressurization system costs $2,500–$5,000 and is far cheaper to install during construction than after.

Your practical next step: Call Fredericton Development Services before you spend a dollar on design. Confirm your property's zoning, ask specifically whether secondary suites are permitted as-of-right or require a variance, and request their secondary suite checklist. That conversation costs nothing and could save you from designing something that doesn't comply. Then find a licensed general contractor through the New Brunswick Construction Network directory to walk through your basement and give you a realistic scope assessment — the difference between a $50K and $85K project usually becomes clear in that first site visit.