By Rafal Kosciuszkiewicz, Founder, 365 Construction
Published: October 20, 2026
Updated: October 20, 2026
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Set clear goals and define the renovation scope before choosing finishes or starting demolition.
- Assess the home’s structure, drainage, insulation, and mechanical systems first, especially in older Saskatoon houses.
- Build a realistic budget with a separate allowance for concealed conditions and changes.
- Plan work in sequence: resolve safety and moisture concerns before closing walls or installing finishes.
- Check current City of Saskatoon, plumbing, electrical, and gas permit requirements for your exact project.
Renovating a home is easier to manage when the decisions happen in the right order. That starts with understanding the home’s condition, then defining the work, budget, approvals, and schedule. Our home renovation cost guide can help you organize the budget conversation, while the old home renovation checklist is a useful companion for identifying issues to investigate first.
Saskatoon’s older homes can have layers of repairs and updates hidden behind finished surfaces. A careful plan makes it easier to address those details before they disrupt the work.
Table of Contents
- 1. Define goals and scope
- 2. Types of renovation projects
- 3. Assess the home before planning finishes
- 4. Build a realistic renovation budget
- 5. Choose and vet a contractor
- 6. Confirm permits and approvals
- 7. Sequence the work
- 8. Prepare to live through the renovation
- 9. Plan a start-to-finish timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Define Goals and Scope
Start by writing down what needs to work better in the home. Is the goal to improve circulation, update aging systems, make a kitchen more practical, finish a basement, or renovate several rooms together? Separate essential repairs from improvements that would be welcome but can wait.
Then decide what the project includes. A full home renovation may involve several connected parts: layout changes, structural work, plumbing, electrical, heating, insulation, and finishes. A written scope helps you compare quotes fairly and reduces the chance of making major decisions in the middle of construction.
It is also useful to identify what should stay. Retaining sound flooring, trim, doors, or cabinetry may affect the design and sequence. Clear priorities give the project a more reliable starting point.
2. Types of Renovation Projects
Most Saskatoon projects fall into a few familiar groups, and each comes with its own planning considerations. If the kitchen is the focus, our guide to planning a kitchen layout in an older Saskatoon home covers zones, clearances, and the plumbing decisions that drive cost. For bathrooms, the bathroom remodeling guide explains plumbing, layout, and waterproofing basics. If storage is the priority, the kitchen cabinet and pantry storage guide shows how to recover space without moving walls. And when the project is a business space rather than a home, the commercial renovation planning guide walks through a different permitting and sequencing path.
3. Assess the Home Before Planning Finishes
Before selecting paint or flooring, look at the parts of the home that keep it stable, dry, warm, and safe. In older neighbourhoods, past renovations may have left a mix of materials and systems that need careful inspection before new work begins.
Start with visible clues:
- Foundation cracks, sloping floors, or doors that have started to stick.
- Roof, window, or plumbing leaks and signs of past moisture.
- Damp or musty smells in the basement.
- Drafts, cold rooms, condensation, or frost around windows.
- Aging electrical, plumbing, heating, or ventilation equipment.
- Soil or downspouts directing water toward the foundation.
These signs do not always mean there is a serious problem, but they help identify where a qualified assessment may be needed. In homes built before 1990, two hazards deserve specific attention: asbestos, which was commonly used in insulation, vinyl flooring, drywall joint compound, and pipe wrap, and lead, which can be present in older layers of paint. If walls or ceilings are opened, have suspect materials assessed before disturbing them. Our old home renovation checklist covers this in more detail.
Insulation slows heat loss. Air sealing reduces uncontrolled drafts. A vapour barrier helps limit moisture moving into insulated wall or ceiling spaces. These parts work together, so adding insulation without understanding existing moisture and ventilation can create problems rather than solve them. Saskatoon’s spring thaw and freeze-thaw cycles also make exterior grading and drainage worth checking: water should be directed away from the foundation.
4. Build a Realistic Renovation Budget
A renovation budget should cover more than visible materials and labour. List the expected costs for planning and design, permits and inspections, demolition and disposal, structural work, trades, insulation and drywall, finishes, and temporary arrangements such as storage or accommodation.
Keep a separate contingency for concealed conditions. Older homes can reveal damaged framing, outdated wiring, plumbing that needs attention, or moisture problems once finishes are removed. The amount to set aside depends on the home and the scope; there is no single percentage that suits every project. Our Saskatoon renovation budget guide explains the main cost categories in more detail.
Agree on how changes will be handled before work starts. A written change order should describe the new work, any cost difference, and the effect on the schedule. That gives everyone a clear record when the original scope needs to change.
5. Choose and Vet a Contractor
A useful quote describes the work clearly enough to compare it with another quote. Check what is included and excluded, which materials or allowances are specified, who arranges permits and inspections, and how cleanup and changes are handled.
Before hiring, ask for:
- References and examples of comparable work.
- Proof of appropriate liability insurance.
- Confirmation of current WCB coverage or clearance where applicable.
- Details about who will perform and supervise the work.
- A written contract with scope, payment terms, schedule, and change-order process.
- Confirmation that required trade qualifications and permits are in place.
If a quote is much lower than others, check whether it leaves out work that matters to safety, moisture control, or code compliance. The 365 Construction Home Renovations page describes our residential project approach, and the Services page outlines our broader work.
Planning a renovation and want to discuss the scope or next steps? Contact 365 Construction for a practical conversation.
6. Confirm Permits and Approvals
Permit requirements depend on the work, not simply the age of the house. The City of Saskatoon lists projects such as basement developments, additions, structural repairs, and some alterations among common cases requiring a building permit. Some cosmetic repairs may not require one if they are the entire scope. Review the City’s current building permit guidance before work begins.
Plumbing work may require a City permit when a plumbing system is altered, extended, renewed, or repaired. The City’s Homeowner Plumbing Permit guide explains eligibility for owners who plan to do eligible work themselves.
Electrical and gas permits are handled through TSASK. Check TSASK electrical permit information for electrical installation work. Gas work requires a permit before work begins and must be done by a licensed gas contractor; see TSASK gas permit information.
Requirements can change, and different parts of one project may involve different approvals. Verify current rules with the relevant authority for your exact scope.
7. Sequence the Work
Renovation work depends on what comes before it. A common order is:
- Planning, investigation, design, contractor selection, and permit applications.
- Site protection, preparation, and selective demolition.
- Hazardous-material work, if needed.
- Structural repairs, water control, and exterior-envelope work.
- Rough plumbing, electrical, heating, and ventilation.
- Required inspections before work is concealed.
- Insulation, air sealing, vapour control, and drywall.
- Flooring, cabinets, tile, paint, trim, fixtures, and appliances.
- Final inspections, deficiency work, and project closeout.
The exact order can vary. The important point is to complete required inspections before covering work with drywall or finishes. Photographing pipes, wiring, and other concealed work can also be useful for future maintenance.
8. Prepare to Live Through the Renovation
If you plan to stay in the home, decide in advance which rooms will be unavailable and how you will manage dust, noise, pets, children, and daily access. A temporary kitchen may need a sink, small appliances, and a place to store basic food and dishes. For larger projects, staying elsewhere for part of the work may be more practical.
Winter work has its own planning details. Salt and grit tracked inside can scratch floors and damage new finishes, so protect entry routes and clean them regularly. Dry indoor air can cause natural wood to shrink; discuss acclimatization and suitable materials with your contractor before installation. If work exposes exterior walls, roof areas, or plumbing, plan how the home will be kept weather-tight and protected from freezing.
These preparations do not remove every disruption, but they make day-to-day life safer and more predictable.
9. Plan a Start-to-Finish Timeline
A renovation timeline has more to it than the days spent on site. It includes investigation and design, quote review, permits, ordering materials, construction, inspections, and closeout. Each stage can affect the next.
For a broad project, think in phases rather than relying on a single finish date:
- Planning: Define scope, inspect the home, prepare drawings where needed, and review quotes.
- Approvals and ordering: Confirm permits and order materials with longer lead times.
- Construction: Complete demolition, structural and system work, inspections, and finishes in sequence.
- Closeout: Finish deficiencies, complete final inspections, and gather warranties and product information.
A full home renovation often takes several months, but project duration varies with scope, the home’s condition, permit review, material availability, and discoveries behind walls. Keep a written schedule and discuss updates when work or decisions affect the next stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a home renovation in Saskatoon cost?
For planning purposes, a full-home renovation in Saskatoon typically runs about $90 to $160 per square foot, kitchens about $15,000 to $40,000+, bathrooms about $12,000 to $25,000, and basement finishing about $35,000 to $80,000. These ranges come from our 2026 home renovation cost guide. The main cost drivers are cabinetry and finish level, structural work, relocating plumbing or electrical, permit and code requirements, and what concealed conditions turn up behind the walls once finishes are removed. Itemized quotes are the only fair way to compare bids, and a separate contingency keeps the project moving when something unexpected is found.
How long does a home renovation take?
A single-room renovation is usually measured in weeks of construction, while a full home renovation often takes several months. The schedule also includes the stages before construction: design and investigation, quote review, permit applications, and ordering materials with longer lead times, particularly custom cabinetry and countertops. Permit review, inspection scheduling, contractor availability, and concealed conditions discovered after demolition are the factors most likely to extend the timeline, so it is worth building them into the plan rather than treating them as surprises.
Can I stay in my home during renovation work?
Sometimes, depending on the rooms affected and the work being done. Plan for dust, noise, restricted access, and temporary loss of a kitchen or bathroom. For extensive work or interruptions to essential services, temporary accommodation may be more practical.
Do I need a permit for renovation work in Saskatoon?
Some projects require permits, and others may not. Additions, basement developments, structural changes, and certain alterations commonly require review. Plumbing, electrical, and gas work may involve separate permits or authorities. Confirm current requirements for your exact project before starting.
What should be handled before choosing finishes?
Assess safety, structure, water control, and major building systems first. Resolving issues with drainage, framing, wiring, plumbing, or insulation before installing finishes helps prevent avoidable rework.
A Clear Plan Makes the Work More Manageable
Successful home renovation planning is about making informed decisions in the right order. Define what the home needs, investigate existing conditions, set a realistic budget, verify approvals, and agree on the work sequence before construction starts.
If you are considering a renovation in Saskatoon, a practical next step is to review the scope and identify what needs further investigation. For peace of mind, contact 365 Construction to discuss your project and possible next steps.