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FAQ's– Home Renovations
Sault Ste. Marie
Home Renovation FAQs –
Sault Ste. Marie | Northern Son
When you're planning a renovation, you’ve got questions — and you should.
At Northern Son, we believe informed clients make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and get better results. Whether you're renovating a kitchen, finishing a basement, or tackling a full home remodel in Sault Ste. Marie or Northern Ontario, understanding the process upfront matters.
Below are answers to the most common questions we get from homeowners — covering pricing, timelines, permits, materials, and how we run our projects.
If you don’t see your question here, reach out directly. We’ll give you a straight answer.
1. How much does a home renovation/kitchen/bath etc. cost in Sault Ste. Marie?
Renovation costs vary widely depending on layout changes, cabinetry, countertops, and finishes. A minor refresh for a kitchen(new counters, backsplash, paint) typically runs lower than a full gut renovation involving new plumbing, electrical, or a layout change. After an in-home consultation, we provide a clear, itemized estimate so you know exactly what you're paying for before work starts.
2. How long does a typical renovation take?
Timelines vary by project size and complexity. Small renovations may take a few weeks, while larger projects — like a full kitchen gut or basement finish — can take several months. We outline realistic timelines clearly before work begins, and update you if anything shifts.
3. Do I need permits for my renovation?
Some projects require permits, especially structural, plumbing, or electrical work. We help guide you through the permitting process and ensure work meets local building codes.
4. Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Northern Son is fully insured, and we work with qualified, licensed trades where required. We take safety, quality, and compliance seriously.
Absolutely. All estimates are provided in writing and clearly outline the scope of work, materials, and costs — no verbal ballparks.
5. Do you provide written estimates?
6. What areas do you service?
We proudly serve Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District, including surrounding communities.
We handle both small upgrades and full renovations. Whether it’s a safety modification or a complete remodel, we’re happy to discuss your project.
7. Do you work on small projects or only full renovations?
Payment schedules are outlined clearly in advance. Larger projects are typically broken into stages tied to progress, so you're never paying for work that hasn't happened yet.
8. How do payments work?
9. Can I live in my home during the renovation?
In many cases, yes. We work to minimize disruption and communicate clearly throughout the process. For larger projects, we’ll discuss the best approach together.
10. Can I supply my own materials or fixtures?
Yes. If you've got a specific tile, fixture, or appliance you want, we're happy to install client-supplied materials. We'll just confirm specs and timelines ahead of time so your delivery lines up with the schedule.
11. Do you subcontract any of the work, or is it all done in-house?
Most work is handled directly by our team. For specialized trades — like certain plumbing or electrical work — we bring in licensed, qualified subcontractors we've worked with before, and we oversee the job from start to finish either way.
12. Can you replace or repair a structural beam without major disruption to my home?
In most cases, yes. Beam replacement and structural repairs can often be done with temporary shoring to support the home while work is completed, minimizing disruption to daily life. We assess the structure first and walk you through exactly what the process will look like.
14. Do you lift and reset houses, and when is that necessary?
Yes, building lifting and resetting is one of our specialties and we're insured to perform. It's typically needed for foundation repair or replacement, correcting settling issues, or raising a home or cottage/camp above flood-prone grade. It's a bigger undertaking than a standard renovation, and we'll explain the full process and timeline upfront.
15. What's the difference between a renovation and a structural rebuild?
What's the difference between a renovation and a structural rebuild? A renovation typically updates finishes, layout, or systems within an existing structure. A structural rebuild involves work on the load-bearing elements of the home — foundations, beams, framing — and requires engineering input and permits. We'll tell you plainly which category your project falls into.