Who We Are
learn a little about us at shau contracting
Stephen and Amanda
We love helping people
Stephen and Amanda met on the dance floor when they ended up in the same dance lessons and the rest, as they say, is history. Together they are the heart of Shau Contracting. Each one brings their experience, skills, and passion to their craft as co-owners. Stephen and Amanda help families turn first houses into homes. They also help longtime homeowners stay put with accessibility modifications. It's this passion that's made them experts in renovations with meaning. Shau Contracting loves nothing more than working with a client to make sure their home is a place they truly want to be.
Stephan and Amanda
We love helping people
Stephen and Amanda met on the dance floor when they ended up in the same dance lessons, and the rest, as they say is history. Together they are the heart of Shau Contracting. Each one bringing their experience, skills and passion to their craft as co-owners. From helping families make their first houses into homes to helping make longtime home owners stay in their homes with accessibility modifications Stephen and Amanda’s hearts have lead them to be experts in renovations with meaning. Shau Contracting loves nothing more than working with a client to make sure their home is a place they truly WANT to be.
Stephen
Stephen has been working in construction since his teens. Starting as a labourer doing concrete work Stephen has gained experience in numerous disciplines, from starting a drywall installation business at 21 years old to working in high end furniture and carpentry.
Always seeking to learn and grow, Stephen has spent his career soaking up every bit of wisdom and experience he could along the way, now he brings his broad and deep knowledge base to every job site.
In an industry filled with people over-promising and under-delivering, Stephen works to do just the opposite, providing realistic, honest estimates and then making sure he meets and/or exceeds his clients’ visions.
Amanda
Amanda has always had a desire to create and design, and she has always sought out ways to put that desire to work. After not being accepted in the graphics design course at RRC, Amanda followed her love of woodworking. As a 2007 graduate of the Wood Products Manufacturing Technology Program at RRC Poly Tech (focused on Cabinetry and Woodworking) she has been working in the Cabinet making industry ever since. Amanda brings two decades of experience and expertise to every Shau project.
Amanda loves to design the right solution to her clients’ specific challenge. Whether someone needs a custom kitchen to meet their specific mobility needs or a basement rec room that can survive the abuse of teenagers, she loves to listen to her clients and make their life in their homes easier and stress free.
Our Reputation is our Promise
Our Promise is to Always deliver the high quality work no matter the budget.
We take pride in our work and in meeting or exceeding our client’s expectations.
We promise to always do quality work at a fair, transparent price.
If something isn’t right we’ll do everything in our power to solve the problem and make sure that the project is something you truly love.
Our Process
From First Visit to Final Walkthrough
Every SHAU renovation follows the same path, whether it's a powder room refresh or a full main-floor rebuild. Here's what to expect, start to finish.
Meet & Measure
- We schedule a meet and greet to view and measure the space you'd like renovated.
- We get a clear picture of your needs and ideas for the project.
Design
As Needed- Some renovations call for a redesign of the space — either because the current layout isn't functional, or you're after a complete change.
- SHAU offers a full Design Service if you'd like us to take that on.
- Once your design is complete, we meet again at your home to go over any changes.
- A finalized design is completed and signed off by you.
- Click here to view an example of our design drawings
Quote & Spec Sheet
- A spec sheet covering every finish you'd like used — tile, shower fixtures, tub, sink, vanity, lighting, and more.
- A detailed quote for the full project.
- Once you're happy with the numbers, you sign off on both the quote and the spec sheet.
Deposit & Materials
- A deposit invoice arrives from our accounting email.
- Once received, we purchase every material the project needs.
- It is ideal to have all materials delivered to your home before work begins, so your start date is scheduled once everything has arrived.
- Our scheduler confirms daily start and end times with you directly.
Construction
- Progress payments are collected at set points throughout the build.
Completion & Care
- A final walkthrough with you once the project wraps up.
- A Care Package with warranty and care details for your new materials — acrylic surround cleaners, tile care, and more.
- The final invoice is issued and due within 3 days.
READY TO START YOUR RENOVATION?
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know before starting a renovation?
Starting a renovation or construction project can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to!
We want to help you know what to expect! Here are some of the common questions we receive from clients and the answers that will help begin to plan your project.
What should I bring to our first conversation?
Come with a rough sense of what you want the finished space to look and feel like. It doesn't need to be detailed — even simple decisions help, like whether you're picturing a tub/shower combo or a walk-in shower with a glass panel and a sliding or pivot door, a tile surround or an acrylic one, and roughly what colours and finishes you're drawn to.
Do I need to know my budget before we talk?
A rough total project cost is genuinely helpful. It's not about pinning you down — it's what lets whoever you're working with (designer, builder, etc.) tell you what's realistically achievable within that number, rather than designing something and then breaking the news that it's out of reach.
What are "must-haves" vs. "nice-to-haves," and why does that matter?
Knowing the difference up front makes every decision after that faster. When a tough call comes up — a finish that's over budget, a layout tweak that adds cost — having your must-haves already sorted from your nice-to-haves means we can adjust the plan without losing what actually matters to you.
Should I budget extra beyond the quoted cost?
Yes — plan for a cushion of at least 10% on top of your total project cost. Older homes especially can hide surprises behind the walls: structural issues, outdated wiring, or plumbing that isn't up to current standards. That cushion means an unexpected discovery becomes a manageable adjustment instead of a budget crisis.
Will my renovation need permits?
Most likely, yes, depending on scope. A few examples of when permits are mandatory:
- Plumbing — required for any construction, extension, or alteration of a plumbing system.
- Electrical — required when extending circuits, adding new outlets, or installing new light fixtures.
- Building permit — required if you're altering load-bearing walls, adding new exterior windows or ventilation, or substantially changing the layout of a space, such as building a new room.
How long does a typical renovation take?
As a general guide, in ideal conditions: kitchens run about 6–12 weeks, bathrooms about 4–6 weeks, and living spaces about 4–8 weeks. That's a starting point, not a guarantee — every home is a little different.
What could cause delays?
Anything hiding behind the walls — bad plumbing, old wiring, rotted subfloor, or structural surprises — can add time once it's uncovered. On larger projects especially, it's worth going in with some flexibility on timeline, since finding these things early is actually the better outcome.
Do I have to renovate everything at once?
Not at all. Renovations can be done in phases — you don't need to tackle the whole project in one go if that's not what fits your timeline or budget.Let me know if you'd like this trimmed down, split differently, or turned into the branded accordion version for the site down the line.
READY TO START YOUR RENOVATION?
we love to find the solutions that make a house a home.
Booking a consultation is the first step in tackling that project you’ve been dreaming of.
We'd help you see the different ways we can help to make your project happen.