A modular duplex or triplex is a multi-unit home built as finished sections inside a factory, then delivered to the lot and set on its foundation with each suite already finished. Herauf's multi-family units meet or exceed CSA A277 and the National Building Code, and start from published layouts that are tailored to the lot and the owner.
For a build in the capital region, the Edmonton modular homes page covers local delivery; for the south, see Calgary. The full lineup, from a duplex to a 12-plex, is in the multi-family catalogue. This article covers the small end of it: duplexes, triplexes and four-plexes.
What sizes do modular duplexes and triplexes come in?
The published layouts, from the Inner City Infill and Investments brochure:
- Duplex, 50' × 18'. Two suites.
- Triplex One, 50' × 18'. Three suites, including a basement suite.
- Triplex Two, 50' × 19', 1,344 sq ft.
- Four-plex, 50' × 18', 900 sq ft per suite.
Every duplex, triplex and four-plex suite has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a walk-in closet, an open-concept layout and its own entrance. Separate entrances matter more than they sound: they are what let each suite work as a home in its own right, whether you rent it or live in it.
What about higher density?
The same lineup keeps going. A five-plex runs two storeys at 18' × 40', with 1,440 sq ft, three bedrooms and three bathrooms per suite. The ten-plex (18' × 50') and twelve-plex (18' × 40') both come with accessible main-floor suite options. Past that sits a 116' × 85' modular complex with eight suites plus shared cafeteria, recreation and reception space. The case for building multi-unit housing this way, for developers and housing organizations, is in modular multi-family construction.
How does a modular duplex get to Edmonton or Calgary?
Through the St. Paul yard. Alberta projects are staged and finished there before the last leg to the lot, and the yard sits a short haul north-east of Edmonton up Highway 28, which makes the capital region one of the quickest areas Herauf serves. Calgary-bound builds are finished at the same yard. The units are built indoors while your foundation, power, water and sewer are prepared on the lot, so most builds are manufactured and delivered in about 16 weeks and the crew is on your street for days rather than months.
Can an owner-occupier finance a modular duplex?
It can. CMHC Prefab Plus, introduced in 2026, is mortgage loan insurance for factory-built homes of one to four units with at least one owner-occupied, which describes a duplex, triplex or four-plex you live in. It allows a 5% minimum down payment and releases funds in up to four draws as milestones are met, on a lending value under $1.5 million. Lender participation is not automatic, so ask yours by name. The full picture is in financing a modular home.
What approvals does the lot need?
Usually two, in order. A development permit governs where the building sits on the lot, its setbacks from property lines and roads; a building permit governs how it is built. Most municipalities want the development permit first, and most Alberta counties require one for any dwelling. The lot-by-lot list of what to check before a module arrives is on the site readiness page.
How to get a quote
Send the lot location, the layout you are considering and whether you plan to live in a suite through the multi-family quote form, or call 1.639.382.4106. Herauf comes back with a written quote, usually within one business day, with no obligation.
Common questions
What sizes do modular duplexes and triplexes come in?
Herauf's published multi-family layouts include a 50' × 18' duplex, a 50' × 18' triplex with a basement suite, a 50' × 19' triplex at 1,344 sq ft, and a 50' × 18' four-plex at 900 sq ft per suite. Each duplex, triplex and four-plex suite has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a walk-in closet and its own entrance.
Can a modular duplex be built in Edmonton or Calgary?
Yes. Alberta multi-family units are staged and finished at Herauf's St. Paul yard, a short haul from Edmonton up Highway 28, before delivery to the capital region, Calgary and the rest of the province.
Can I finance a modular duplex I live in?
It can qualify for CMHC Prefab Plus, which covers factory-built homes of one to four units with at least one unit owner-occupied, with a 5% minimum down payment and funds released in up to four draws. Lender participation is not automatic, so ask your lender directly whether they write it.
How long does a modular triplex take?
Most Herauf builds are manufactured and delivered in about 16 weeks, because the foundation and services are prepared on the lot while the units are built indoors. Installation on site is measured in days.
A walk through finished homes in the yard