A kitchen renovation’s cost depends mainly on three things: whether the layout stays the same, what the cabinets are (refaced, stock, semi-custom or custom), and the countertop and appliance choices. Keeping the sink, stove and fridge where they are avoids moving plumbing, gas and wiring, which is where costs rise fastest. This page breaks the budget down by component. It is part of our directory of what things cost in Canada; renovation costs for the whole house are in how much it costs to renovate a house.
Levels of kitchen renovation
| Level | What it usually includes |
|---|---|
| Refresh | Paint, cabinet refacing or painting, new hardware, a new faucet or lighting, sometimes new counters |
| Mid-range remodel | New stock or semi-custom cabinets, new counters and backsplash, new appliances, the same layout |
| Full custom renovation | Custom cabinets, premium counters and appliances, a new layout, an island, often moved plumbing and electrical |
The components
| Component | What drives its cost |
|---|---|
| Cabinets | Usually the largest share: refacing vs stock vs semi-custom vs custom, the number of linear feet, and finishes |
| Countertops | The material (laminate, butcher block, quartz, granite, marble or other stone), the area and the number of cut-outs and edges |
| Appliances | Standard, mid-range or premium lines; built-in and panel-ready models cost more |
| Flooring | The material and the area; removing old flooring adds labour |
| Backsplash | Tile choice and pattern complexity |
| Plumbing | Small if fixtures stay in place; much more if the sink or dishwasher moves |
| Electrical | New circuits for appliances, under-cabinet lighting, and bringing older wiring up to code |
| Ventilation | A range hood vented outside, especially for gas ranges |
Labour
Labour (demolition, carpentry and installation, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile and painting) is a large part of most kitchen budgets, and a general contractor’s fee is added for coordinating the trades. Electrical and gas work must be done by licensed trades. Comparing several itemized written quotes, checking references, insurance and the payment schedule, and avoiding large up-front deposits protect against the most common contractor problems.
Permits
Moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits, removing walls or changing gas lines generally needs a municipal permit; replacing cabinets and counters in the same layout usually doesn’t. Permit fees are set by the municipality.
Where DIY saves money
Owners commonly save on demolition, painting, installing a tile backsplash and assembling flat-pack cabinets. Electrical, gas and most plumbing work should be left to licensed trades, and counters made of stone are templated and installed by the fabricator.
Stretching the budget
| Approach | Why it saves |
|---|---|
| Keeping the layout | Avoids moving plumbing, gas and wiring |
| Refacing or painting cabinets that are sound | Keeps the boxes, the largest cost |
| Mixing materials | Premium counters on an island only, laminate elsewhere |
| Buying appliances on sale or as floor models | Appliance prices drop during sales events |
| Phasing the work | Spreading the project across seasons or years |
Return on investment
A kitchen is one of the renovations most likely to recover part of its cost when the home is sold, but rarely all of it, and over-improving for the neighbourhood recovers less. See how to increase your home’s value. Financing options are in home renovation loans.