Article content

A local company is set to launch a new series of garage suites made out of shipping containers that could make a rental investment feasible for the typical homeowner.

Honomobo builds the units in a factory just west of Stony Plain, installing them on top of a new garage in under a week. The first suite will be displayed in Churchill Square from June 3-5, before it’s installed in the Ritchie neighbourhood backyard of co-founder Daniel Engelman.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Shipping containers make suite digs in Edmonton's back alleys Back to video

“It’s faster, easier and has way higher performance,” Engelman said.

Because they’re built in a factory with closed-cell, spray foam insulation, the units have higher efficiency than regular construction. They need only an electrical hook-up and can be so-called net positive, producing energy for the main house if the customer adds solar panels.

The units go for between $99,000 for a studio to $147,000 for a two-bedroom unit, plus about $25,000 for the new garage. Engelman’s partner, Devon Siebenga, estimated a homeowner will pay $500 a month for the mortgage, property tax increase, electricity and water. They also could be eligible for a $20,000 affordable housing grant from the city.