A conversion means new construction inside an existing shell: framing a separate entrance, adding a kitchen, meeting egress window and ceiling height requirements, and building in fire separation from the main unit, all of which need complete drawings before the application can move to review.
Applications submitted with complete plans, engineering where structural changes are involved, move through review faster than ones sent back for missing details, so a project planned with a designer familiar with Saskatoon's secondary suite requirements typically clears the process in a matter of months rather than restarting the clock on revisions.
Start the permit conversation before you start construction, not after the framing is up. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.