Home renovation numbers on the rise in Saskatoon and surrounding area during COVID-19 pandemic

If there is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t had a negative effect on, it is home renovation projects.

© Submitted by Ryan Epps
Ryan Epp’s backyard is one of many in the city that has been getting a new look.

That is certainly the case for Saskatoon residents.

Read more: Coronavirus: USask residence housing a fraction of students compared to previous years

Saskatoon and Region Home Builders’ Association (SRHBA) director of business and development Jennifer Lamontagne says the number of projects requiring a permit is up 13.5 per cent in Saskatoon compared to 2019.

Over that same time span, renovations are up 10 per cent for other areas served by the SRHBA including Warman, Martensville, Osler, Corman Park and Prince Albert.

The numbers don’t include projects where permits are not required.

Lamontagne says with homeowners being at home more, people are spending the time and money to upgrade their residences, especially those with new working arrangements.

She says many people turned funds from cancelled travel plans into their renovations.

Read more: Calgarians turning to home renos to relieve stress during COVID-19 pandemic: ‘It helps a lot’

“What do they need in their homes?” ask Lamontagne. “Part of that is additional sound barriers with multiple people working from home. From our perspective, they are assessing their livability and moving up or down that housing continuum.”

Ryan Epp’s home in the Mayfair neighbourhood received a full-scale renovation, everything from the back and front yard and the roof, along with a fence.

Video: Home renovation numbers on the rise in Saskatoon (Global News)

Home renovation numbers on the rise in Saskatoon

Click to expand

• 
  Coronavirus: Ontario Made program enters second phase, announces Ford
  The “Ontario Made” program is moving into its second phase, announced Premier Doug Ford on Thursday in Barrie, Ont. The program, designed to assist provincial businesses amid Ontario’s economic recovery during the coronavirus pandemic, has seen over 4,600 products registered from 1,200 Ontario manufacturers, said Ford. Products registered will feature a logo indicating to consumers that it was manufactured in the province.
  
  Global News
  
  

• 
  Singh says inquiry into for-profit care homes not needed because ‘evidence is already there’
  NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh denied Thursday that an inquiry is needed into Canadian for-profit long-term care homes because he said “the evidence is already there” that residents of for-profit homes are “far more likely to get sick, far more likely to die.”
  
  Global News
  
  

• 
  Coronavirus: Singh calls on Ottawa to address ‘deplorable’ conditions at Rivera long-term care homes
  Speaking to reporters on Thursday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the Trudeau government has the responsibility to address the “deplorable conditions” at Rivera long-term care homes, which is owned by a Crown corporation. He argued that “everything should be on the table” to correct the situation in these facilities, including “removing profit from the Rivera structure.”
  
  Global News
  
  

UP NEXT

Epp says after a loss in the family, he decided to use heightened support from loved ones as a chance for the family to come together and help with the construction projects.

He says the pandemic didn’t affect or delay the project; it allowed for the family to come together in building something beautiful.

“(It) turned into a really sweet project of love for my wife, but also a way to enjoy our property more.”

Epp also works as a landscaper and said he has noticed dozens of renovations, particularly to backyards. He says because of the high amount of yard work, this year has been referred to as the “year of the yard” by landscapers.

5:24

Classic Landscaping: Plants that are easy to care for

Classic Landscaping: Plants that are easy to care for

Joshua Olson, the owner of Dunamai Construction, says he has worked on a range of renovations since the pandemic began — from full-scale home redos to kitchens and bathrooms. He says there has not been a shortage of work for him, in fact, his schedule is full for the foreseeable future.

“People are always asking me to do something or if I know anybody that I could recommend,” Olson said. “They are all super busy too.”

Read more: Contractors busy with home renos during COVID-19 pandemic

High lumber prices have added to the overall costs of renovations and caused some delays for recent projects, especially towards the end of the summer.

Western Retail Lumber Association president Liz Kovach says lumber prices peaked at around US$900 per 100 board feet. That number has since dropped to below US$600. The average price was between US$300-$400 before the pandemic started.

“(Prices) are coming down, because we are getting caught up, the industry is catching up with the demand,” Kovach said. “But, it has for sure put some delays on projects.”

Read more: Saskatchewan home builders, buyers paying cost of record-high lumber prices

Kovach says COVID-19 greatly affected and slowed lumber production and transportation of products across the country. Additionally, the sudden rise in lumber demand for building homes and renovations also played a role.

Epp said any added cost for lumber didn’t affect plans and completion dates for renovations that he noticed, but he may have started the project just before the increase.