Rescued in Saskatoon: An update

In March, we told you about Janice Braden, a Saskatoon homeowner abandoned by a renovation contractor mid-project who took her money with him leaving her house a disaster zone of substandard and incomplete work.

A group of over 25 trades and suppliers came to her rescue in the area, assembled by Sara Wheelwright of TrustedSaskatoon.com, an on-line business referral service, and quarterbacked by respected builder Dave Anderchek of JABBA Construction. Thousands of dollars of materials and labour have been donated, a goodwill gesture from the local building industry to make things right for Janice.

John Bleasby caught up with Sara Wheelwright last week to find out how things have finally turned out.

Is Janice now able to live her house?
She was pretty much the whole time. She had bedrooms in the basement and has managed quite well. Janice has been a joy to deal with. She’s been patient, realising that the partners do have businesses to run.

Has this project taken longer than you thought?
It has, but it’s important to realise that this is a group of independent businesses who have not worked together before. Two partners are from Regina, so they’re travelling 2 ½ hours and have had to contend with winter road conditions, overnight accommodation and so on. Also, we didn’t know until we really got in there how much had to be done and how badly the earlier work had been done.

Janice Braden is just a range hood away from enjoying her dream kitchen.
(photo; courtesy of JABA Construction)

Obviously more complicated than a normal renovation.
Yes. And although it’s a totally volunteer project, nothing has been put on the back burner. The team has done a fantastic job. If one partner has dropped out because of work pressures, we’ve had someone else step up and take over. Dave Anderchuck has been really fantastic because I would not have been able to put this group together without him. He’s pulled in a lot of favours.

Can you put a dollar figure on what has been donated in goods and services?
I would estimate at least $100,000.

What has been your role?

Sara Wheelwright of TrustedSaskatoon.com

My job has been to ensure the partners involved get the recognition they deserve. I’ve shot videos and put updates on social media, on the Trusted Saskatoon website, and on YouTube. Janice has made herself available, telling everyone how wonderfully the industry here has responded. The partners are benefitting from their involvement by having their reputations enhanced tremendously.
(Watch 2 videos…. ‘The Assessment’ and ‘The Rebuild’.)

As the renovation nears completion, what do you hope the public will learn from this?
We want them to know that, yes, there are problems out there with some contractors, but there are an awful lot of great ones too.

follow John on Twitter     @john_bleasby