Serving High River Homeowners
High River is one of our closest service-area towns and one of the most distinctive renovation markets we work in. The town's housing stock is older than most of our other markets, with significant numbers of homes built in the 1970s and 80s. The 2013 flood affected a substantial portion of the town's homes, and the post-flood reconstruction created a particular renovation pattern: many homes were rebuilt to varying levels of completion and quality, and we now work on follow-up renovations that address what was left behind.
The other distinctive aspect of High River as a renovation market is the demographic. Many homeowners are long-term residents (second-generation in some cases) and the renovation work tends to be focused on aging-in-place upgrades, primary bathroom accessibility, kitchen updates that improve daily function, and basement developments to give grandchildren and visiting family a place to stay. The renovation values tend to be slightly different from the upgrade-and-resell pattern more common in newer Calgary suburbs.
Why High River Homeowners Choose Parkside
Three things matter most. First, our Okotoks base is the closest contractor's office to most of High River; we are on site faster than any Calgary-based competitor. Second, we have direct experience with post-flood remediation issues, and we know what to look for during the initial walkthrough. Third, our trade crew has the multi-discipline coverage that High River's older housing stock often requires. Many High River renovation projects need electrical and plumbing upgrades alongside the cosmetic work, and we run all of those trades through our standard supervision and coordination.
Popular Renovations in High River
Aging-in-place primary bathrooms
The most-requested project segment in High River. Replacing a 1980s tub-shower with a curbless walk-in shower, adding grab bars and proper lighting, installing a comfort-height toilet, and reconfiguring the vanity for accessibility. These projects need to be done right (the curbless shower in particular requires careful waterproofing and floor slope work) and we deliver them with the same standards as any other bathroom rebuild.
Older home kitchen and main-floor refresh
Many High River homes built in the 1970s and 80s have small, closed-off kitchens with worn cabinetry and aging appliances. The standard renovation involves opening the kitchen to the dining or living room (often involves removing a load-bearing wall and installing a beam), replacing all the cabinetry, updating flooring throughout the main floor, and refreshing paint and trim. Total project investment is usually $80,000 to $150,000 over a 2 to 4 month construction window.
Basement developments and reconstructions
Some High River homes have basements that were partially rebuilt after the 2013 flood and never fully finished. Completing those basements often involves more inspection work upfront (confirming framing, vapour barrier, and electrical were done correctly), but the build itself follows our standard process. New basements (homes that were never affected by the flood) are typical 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft developments with one or two bedrooms and a full bathroom.
Post-flood follow-up renovations
Some of our High River projects involve fixing issues that were created or left behind during the 2013 flood reconstruction. The most common: improperly installed sub-flooring that has telegraphed through hardwood; basement walls that were closed up before complete vapour barrier was installed; kitchens that were rebuilt to a lower standard than the rest of the home. We address these with full transparency about what was done before and what we are doing differently.
High River Permit Considerations
The Town of High River's permit process is generally efficient. Building permits for residential renovations typically turn around in 2 to 5 weeks. The Town's building department is accessible and small clarifications can usually be handled by phone. We pull permits and schedule inspections as part of every project.
Some High River neighbourhoods that were rebuilt after the 2013 flood have additional flood-mitigation requirements for new construction and significant renovations, particularly around basement design, mechanical placement, and exterior grading. We confirm requirements with the Town's building department during the initial planning phase if your property is in one of these areas.
Featured High River Projects
Recent High River work includes a downtown 1985-built bungalow main-floor renovation (kitchen open-up, hardwood throughout, primary bathroom rebuild), a Hampton Hills basement development with two bedrooms and a wet bar, and a primary bathroom accessibility upgrade with a curbless shower in a 1970s home. We are happy to share photos and references during the estimate process.
Services We Deliver in High River
Every renovation service we offer is delivered in High River. The most-requested in this market:
Kitchen Renovations
Complete kitchen remodels including cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, and layout redesign.
Learn moreBathroom Renovations
Luxury bathroom renovations with custom tiling, fixtures, vanities, and finishes.
Learn moreBasement Development
Full basement finishing: framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, and finishing carpentry.
Learn morePainting
Professional interior painting with premium materials and clean, lasting lines.
Learn moreTiling
Expert tile installation for floors, walls, showers, and backsplashes.
Learn moreFlooring
Hardwood, laminate, engineered, and luxury vinyl plank installation.
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions About Renovating in High River
Do I need a permit for a renovation in High River?
The Town of High River requires building permits for structural work, basement developments, additions, and exterior changes. Trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and gas work. Permit turnaround is usually 2 to 5 weeks for typical residential renovations.
How does the 2013 flood history affect renovations in High River?
A significant portion of High River homes were affected by the 2013 flood, and many were rebuilt or substantially renovated in 2014-2016. Some flood-area homes have had partial restorations that left issues: drywall replaced but framing not properly inspected, electrical replaced but vapour barrier compromised, basements that still have moisture-management questions. We pay particular attention to these areas during initial site visits and we are honest about what we find.
How far is High River from your office?
High River is about 25 minutes south of Okotoks, one of our closest service-area towns. We can be on site within half an hour and travel does not affect scheduling.
What kind of homes do you renovate in High River?
High River has older housing stock than most of our markets. Many homes were built in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, with newer development in the southeast and east. We work in all of it. Older homes often need more electrical and plumbing attention; newer homes are typical builder-grade renovations.
Are flood-affected basements still a renovation concern?
Sometimes, depending on how the post-flood restoration was done. Properly restored homes are no different from any other High River property. Homes where the restoration cut corners (usually identifiable by mismatched framing, partial vapour barriers, or moisture-staining behind paint) may need additional remediation as part of a renovation. We can identify these signs during the initial walkthrough and price the additional work transparently.