Renovating is Expensive. Help is Available.
Renovating in or around Saskatoon? Before you start, check this list of current renovation incentives that may be available to you from your City, Provincial, and Federal Governments.*
*Remember to check the government website to confirm eligibility as these programs are subject to change or end without notice.
Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive Program
What is it?
The Secondary Suite Incentive Program (SSI) grants 35% of the cost to build a new secondary suite at an owner’s primary residence, to a maximum or $35,000 per qualifying property. It includes qualifying properties with eligible costs incurred April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026. Construction must be completed before March 31, 2027 to qualify for funding.
The goal of this Saskatchewan Government program is to increase the availability of rental suites, generate supplementary income for homeowners, and, ultimately, improve housing affordability.
What is a secondary suite?
This grant program can be used for one new legal suite per home. It must be located on the premises of the owner’s primary residence and may include a suite within the residence (a basement suite, for example), a laneway home, garden suite, or garage suite.*
*Must meet the requirements of a secondary suite according to the National Building Code of Canada or any other government bylaws, codes & standards.
What costs are covered?
The SSI grant covers a portion of costs related to the construction or renovation of existing space that results in a new rental unit. It does not cover costs incurred to repair existing rental units or primary residences.
Examples of eligible costs include: engineering & architectural services, construction materials and labour, interior finishing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and standard major appliances.
Examples of ineligible costs: land development, driveways, landscaping, labour by homeowner, minor appliances, tools, draperies, PST or GST.
How to apply: First confirm your eligibility by reading all information about the program on the Government of Saskatchewan website. Then click here:
Canada Greener Homes Loan
What is it?
The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers interest-free financing to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable through eligible retrofits. Loans range from $5000 – $40,000 and are interest-free for 10 years. These are unsecured personal loans on approved credit.
What are eligible retrofits?
Eligible retrofits are renovations that will increase the energy efficiency of your home. These must be recommended by an energy advisor after a pre-retrofit evaluation and work must not have started prior to applying or the retrofits will not be eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Loan.
Eligible Retrofits (if approved) include: insulation, air sealing, windows & doors, thermostat, heat pumps, resiliency measures, and renewable energy (example: solar panels).
Ineligible Retrofits include: any work done before application is approved, any work not recommended by Energy Advisor, rented equipment, a/c, tankless or storage water heaters, skylights, furnaces, boilers, roofs, garage windows & doors.
How to apply?
Before starting the work:
1. Schedule a pre-retrofit home evaluation with an energy advisor.
2. Review the Energy Advisors recommendations and, from these, plan the retrofits you wish to complete. Get quotes from reputable contractors (we hope you’ll choose J&H!)
3. Submit your loan application (before starting work).
4. Complete your retrofits
5. Get a post-retrofit evaluation from your Energy Advisor.
6. Request your loan advance.
7. Receive loan from the government within 10 days.
8. Repay your loan interest-free over 10 years.
Learn more: First confirm your eligibility by reading all information about the program on the Government of Canada Website. Then click here:
City of Saskatoon Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
What is it?
The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) was introduced by the City of Saskatoon to help Saskatoon homeowners improve energy efficiency, install renewable energy, or reduce water use by offering low interest loans of $1000 – $60,000 to cover the cost of large eligible retrofits.
How does HELP make renovations affordable?
HELP is for Saskatoon residents who would like to make their home energy-efficient with lower upfront costs. These are low-interest loans and, rather than being personal loans, HELP loans are attached to the property. So, if you move before the loan is paid off, the new owner makes the loan payments as they are benefiting from the upgrades through a more comfortable home and lower energy costs.
What are eligible retrofits?
Eligible retrofits are renovations that will increase the energy efficiency of your home. These must be recommended by a registered Energy Advisor through an EnerGuide home energy assessment before the work has started.
Eligible Retrofits (if approved) include: high efficient furnaces, boilers & a/c, windows & doors, insulation, air sealing, high efficient water heaters, water recovery systems, thermostats, renewable energy (example: solar panels), low flow toilets/faucets, irrigation control, and permanent rainwater catchment.
How to apply?
Before starting the work:
1. Apply to the City of Saskatoon to confirm eligibility.
2. Have an energy audit done by a certified Energy Advisor.
3. Decide which recommended retrofits you wish to complete and get an estimate for the work (we hope you’ll choose J&H!).
4. Submit a Planned Project Details Form and Funding Request Form to the City.
5. Sign your contract with the City. A lien will be applied to your property and you can pay a deposit to your contractor and/or buy your renovation materials.
3. (Optional Request a deposit and/or installment from the City (or you may choose to be reimbursed later).
4. Complete your retrofits
5. Complete a Final Project Details Form and have your Energy Advisor sign it when your post-retrofit evaluation is done.
6. Get a post-retrofit evaluation from your Energy Advisor.
7. Submit your Project Completion Form to the City, including invoices & receipts, signed Final Project Details Form, and post-retrofit EnerGuide rating label.
8. Repay your loan as per your repayment terms.
Learn more: First confirm your eligibility by reading all information about the program on the
