FAQ’s

Every project has a unique combination of factors that determine the cost of your renovation. We believe that using a square footage pricing system for renovations is highly inaccurate and just not possible. That system often results in “surprises” for the client. Our approach is to put together a target budget based on our design build structure. The way we produce a reliable estimate or target budget is to look at the initial scope of work and then set budgets for some of those variables based on today’s market value of products and services.

Components such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, countertop surfaces, flooring, fixtures and lighting can vary wildly in cost. So when you review these options, look at how they meet your design and budget criteria. You may decide to stay with more standard options or upgrade to items you simply feel are worth the investment. Our design consultant can help you to find a balance between style and affordability.

Typically we do not give an item by item breakdown because complex renovation projects have a unique combination of individual variables. These variables are often affected by the choices you will make along the way. At J.A.B.A. Construction, we have found that it makes sense to help our clients assess the value of various design options and discuss how they impact the larger project budget rather than looking at costs on an item by item basis. We keep an open flow of communication and this allows our clients the greatest amount of control over costs.

Everyone has heard horror stories of projects that go way over budget. Many items can affect the costs of your project but the good news is you have the power to keep them in line with your budget. The beauty of the design build process is that it allows us to control budget issues before your project begins. In initial meetings with clients, we’ll typically define a target budget. Then, as the design is refined, the budget will become more precise, so that once the project begins, you can count on your renovation staying within the final budget. We do recommend that you budget between 5-10% after construction begins to allow for upgrades and “while you are here” items that you may want to address while we are working in your home.

Design build is a management structure that J.A.B.A. Construction uses in overseeing your entire renovation to maximize the value of your budget while monitoring project costs. We have developed a professional management team that keeps actively involved throughout the entire process to meet the custom needs of each client, beginning from the preliminary designs to the completion of the construction. This team manages your project by overlapping the design phase and the construction phase of the project to save you time and money. Our team also minimizes the project risk for you as an owner by working together with the design team to develop a flexible design scheme that will allow for changes during construction if a problem should be found along the way. We can also recommend the best places for cutting back costs so you can stay within your budget

Yes, of course, as long as they are designed to provincial and municipal building requirements.

Yes. Every renovation project requires making choices from the largest design considerations to the smallest details. It can feel overwhelming. As a way to help you through the process, J.A.B.A. Construction have team members that can assist you in your decision making from your layout of your floor plans and furniture placement right through to the color selections of fabrics, paints and accessories.

Our project manager will help guide you when decisions have to be made. We’ll alert you in advance of those important decision points and make sure you have plenty of time and assistance to make an informed choice. You will also be prompted to make product selections for your project. Our management team will happily assist you in your choice selection using our reliable suppliers and showing you our display samples in our showroom.

No problem. Your Project Manager will assist you with any changes to your project. Getting the final product you want is important. We’re here to help every step of the way.

Unless we are disrupted by weather, delivery delays or emergencies, yes. A project manager and a site supervisor will be assigned to your project and it is his/her job to be familiar with every aspect of your home renovation. The site supervisor is responsible to oversee the work every day and the project manger is available to answer questions and address any concerns. Of course, additional carpenters, crafts people and building professionals will also be coming and going over the span of the project – and they will report to directly to your site supervisor.

When we begin a project, we determine the best site supervisor and project manager specifically for each project based on the unique qualities of your project, client personality, and project length. In most cases you will have a chance to meet your project manager during the planning stage, but the first meeting with your site supervisor is usually when construction is ready to begin.

We know that communication is a key to customer satisfaction so your project manager will communicate and document project updates, costs, scheduling, changes or “surprises” and orders regularly through email. There are also a number of opportunities to touch base and get answers to any recent questions that arise by speaking with the onsite supervisor in face-to-face meetings.

Yes. We encourage the use of environmentally friendly materials and systems whenever appropriate and have incorporated components of “green” design into several of our award-winning projects. “Green” products can look great and can often perform as well or better than traditional building materials. If these products and techniques are of interest to you, the beginning of the design process is a good time to talk about options, cost factors, and ways to apply them to meet your budget and design goals.

CMHC does not approve building materials. There are 3 main organizations in Canada that set the standards for building materials: Canadian Standards Association, Canadian General Standards Board, and the Underwriters Laboratory of Canada. Products are considered approved if they meet the standards set out for them. New products for which no standards yet exist are evaluated by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre of the National Research Council. The evaluations are produced by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre are supported and recognized by provincial and territorial officials involved in building regulation.

We know that home renovation can be very disruptive and even dangerous. We have a comprehensive safety program (COR certified) to protect you and your family from the hazards that are often present throughout the course of a renovation. We also work very hard to minimize the hassle of living through construction by setting up customized systems to shield your home, yard, children, pets and personal items. We can even offer to construct a temporary kitchen or relocate plumbing to allow your life to go on as uninterrupted as possible.

Some renovations do not require a permit, but if anything structural is being moved or added, we take care of the permit process for you and we coordinate all of the inspections.

Each province is regulated by a provincial building code, based either in full or in part, on the model National Building Code, developed by the Canadian Codes Centre of the Institute for Research in Construction (part of the National Research Council). It is then the responsibility of the municipalities to ensure all new construction and major renovations such as additions and changes to structure adhere to the provincial code that applies. J.A.B.A. Construction adheres to these codes by contract and calls for inspections by the City of Saskatoon at each required phase of the project.

Yes. WCB and company liability insurances are kept current. J.A.B.A. Construction is a limited company operating in full accordance with all local, provincial and federal laws and legislations.

Yes. We want our clients to be clients for life. That’s why we stand behind our work long after the project is completed. In fact, we have a standard “one year warranty” which allows us to fine tune anything that needs adjustment or make any repairs that are necessary during the first year. Of course, we’ll always be happy to look at or assess any problems after that one year warranty and will work with you to make sure you get the results you want.

We are happy to provide references once we have had a chance to understand your needs. This way we can ensure you talk to clients whose experience with us will be relevant to your needs. But remember, just like you, our clients are busy people and we respect their privacy so we only provide names and phone numbers after we have met with you and been given the OK by our client.

Yes. The use of contracts can help avoid misunderstandings, build strong client relationships and set a foundation for a positive experience. Contracts allow for clear communication outlining the expectations of both parties, a clear picture of the scope of work and a determined budget. It gives us and our clients a sense of confidence and trust.

Each job has unique conditions and often requires different trades, both of which can impact scheduling. We like to be able to have the contract signed at least two months before beginning the project to allow for proper organization of material orders, schedules for subtrades and permits.

Yes. Once we have a plan completed and you sign our renovation contract, a deposit is required to secure your place on our Production/Scheduling board.

The first step is to set up an appointment time with one of our project manager/estimators. You can contact a member of our team by calling us at (306) 384-9288 or emailing your request to jaba@shaw.ca.

Yes. Too often general contractors are not interested in undertaking small jobs for homeowners. We have a different philosophy. We want to build relationships with our clients…and often that means helping with smaller jobs.

No. Our estimating process is comprehensive and detailed involving a number of meetings between you and our team to determine budgets, level of finishes,
products required etc. We want to make sure we understand everything you are asking for, get a feel for your sense of style and allow you the opportunity to take advantage of our many suggestions so your renovation results in a beautiful, functional new space.