NewlinesADU + Aux Box · Squamish

Valleycliffe backyard home.

A 324 sq. ft. detached rental home, planned around privacy, outdoor space and the requirements of a floodplain lot.

Location: Valleycliffe, Squamish
Home: Single-storey detached ADU
Living area: 324 sq. ft.
Manufacturer: Aux Box
Local project delivery: NewlinesADU
Foundation: Screw piles
Utilities: Water, sewer, electrical and lift station
Energy performance: Step Code 4 + Zero Carbon EL-4

A rental home with room left for the backyard.

The homeowners wanted a comfortable long-term rental while maintaining privacy and preserving their outdoor space. Keeping the disruption around their occupied home manageable was part of the brief.

The Aux Box home could be tailored through window size and placement, cabinet colours, countertops, backsplash, siding, floor plan and overall size. NewlinesADU coordinated the work around the factory-built home, from early feasibility and design development through approvals, site construction and occupancy.

Planning for the lot.

The property required more than a straightforward modular installation. A zoning amendment and setback variance, floodplain requirements and a flood covenant all had to be worked through before the home could be occupied.

NewlinesADU coordinated the municipal process alongside civil and geotechnical input, engineering, inspection requirements, the final survey and occupancy documentation.

Zoning amendment and setback variance
Floodplain requirements and flood covenant
Civil and geotechnical coordination
Final survey and occupancy documentation

Foundations, services and access.

A screw-pile foundation supported the home while limiting excavation and disturbance. Water, sewer and electrical connections were coordinated with the foundation, and the servicing work included a lift station.

Shallow service trenches required insulation. Tight backyard access, crane positioning, drainage, landscaping and closeout work also had to be coordinated around the existing home.

Explore lot requirements

From site work to occupancy.

Aux Box built the home off-site while the backyard was prepared for delivery. The completed module was then delivered and placed by crane, followed by final connections and closeout work.

May 4
Site work began
Site preparation, the foundation and services got underway.
June 4
The home arrived
The modular ADU was delivered and crane-set into place.
June 30
Occupancy received
The finished home was ready for tenants.

The completed home.

The project finished on time and on budget, with tenants found before completion. The construction phase proceeded under a fixed-price contract after permits were issued.

The finished ADU gives the homeowners a separate long-term rental home while keeping their backyard usable. It has also welcomed prospective clients for tours, giving them a chance to experience a compact Aux Box home in person.

“Working with Gabriel on our Aux Box was a great experience from start to finish.”
Read Andrea & Joerg’s full review
The build itself came together smoothly and right on schedule, which we know isn't always a given with construction projects! The fixed price contract also ensured we didn’t have to pay more than we signed up for, even when unexpected costs came up.
The permit process was genuinely the trickiest part. We ended up needing zoning amendments and a variance which we hadn't anticipated. Gabriel went well beyond what we expected here, showing up at the permit office in person, following up by phone, and pushing for second opinions when needed. That persistence made a real difference in keeping the project on track.
We also appreciated the attention to detail throughout, from flagging a GST rebate we didn't know we qualified for to coming up with cost saving measures to keep us on budget. The communication was consistent and honest the entire way through.
We are ecstatic about the final product and super impressed with how everything turned out! We'd happily recommend Gabriel and NewlinesADU to anyone considering a similar project.
Andrea & Joerg · Valleycliffe, Squamish