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How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a House in Canada in 2026?

Updated

Average Renovation Cost by Project

Project Basic/Budget Mid-Range High-End/Luxury
Kitchen renovation $5,000–$15,000 $15,000–$50,000 $50,000–$100,000+
Bathroom renovation $3,000–$8,000 $10,000–$30,000 $30,000–$60,000+
Basement finishing $15,000–$30,000 $30,000–$60,000 $60,000–$100,000+
Roof replacement $5,000–$10,000 $8,000–$15,000 $15,000–$30,000+
Windows (full house) $5,000–$10,000 $10,000–$20,000 $20,000–$40,000+
Furnace/HVAC replacement $3,000–$6,000 $6,000–$12,000 $12,000–$25,000+
Deck/patio $3,000–$8,000 $8,000–$20,000 $20,000–$50,000+
Home addition (per sq ft) $150–$250/sq ft $250–$400/sq ft $400–$600+/sq ft
Flooring (full house) $3,000–$8,000 $8,000–$18,000 $18,000–$40,000+
Painting (full interior) $2,000–$4,000 $4,000–$8,000 $8,000–$15,000+
Siding replacement $8,000–$15,000 $15,000–$25,000 $25,000–$50,000+
Driveway replacement $2,000–$5,000 $5,000–$12,000 $12,000–$25,000+
Landscaping (full) $3,000–$10,000 $10,000–$25,000 $25,000–$75,000+

Kitchen Renovation Cost Breakdown

Component % of Budget Budget Cost Mid-Range Cost High-End Cost
Cabinets 30–40% $3,000–$6,000 $8,000–$20,000 $20,000–$50,000
Countertops 10–15% $1,000–$2,500 $3,000–$8,000 $8,000–$15,000
Appliances 10–20% $2,000–$5,000 $5,000–$12,000 $12,000–$30,000
Labour/installation 15–25% $2,000–$5,000 $5,000–$15,000 $15,000–$30,000
Flooring 5–10% $500–$1,500 $1,500–$4,000 $4,000–$10,000
Plumbing/electrical 5–10% $500–$1,500 $1,500–$4,000 $4,000–$8,000
Backsplash 3–5% $300–$800 $800–$2,500 $2,500–$6,000
Lighting 2–5% $200–$500 $500–$2,000 $2,000–$5,000
Total 100% $9,500–$22,800 $25,300–$67,500 $67,500–$154,000

Renovation Costs by Province

Province Cost Index Kitchen (Mid) Bathroom (Mid) Basement (Mid) Notes
Ontario (GTA) 1.15–1.25x $20,000–$60,000 $15,000–$35,000 $35,000–$70,000 Highest labour costs
British Columbia (Van.) 1.10–1.20x $18,000–$55,000 $13,000–$32,000 $32,000–$65,000 High labour costs
Alberta 1.00–1.10x $15,000–$50,000 $10,000–$30,000 $28,000–$55,000 Moderate
Quebec 0.90–1.05x $13,000–$45,000 $9,000–$25,000 $25,000–$50,000 Slightly lower
Manitoba 0.90–1.00x $13,000–$42,000 $9,000–$24,000 $24,000–$48,000 Lower labour costs
Saskatchewan 0.90–1.00x $13,000–$42,000 $9,000–$24,000 $24,000–$48,000 Lower labour costs
Atlantic provinces 0.85–0.95x $12,000–$40,000 $8,000–$22,000 $22,000–$45,000 Lowest costs

Cost index is relative to national average. Labour is the biggest variable, ranging from $30–$50/hr in Atlantic Canada to $50–$80/hr in Toronto/Vancouver.

Renovation ROI (Return on Investment)

Project Average Cost Value Added ROI (% Recovered)
Front door replacement $2,000–$5,000 $2,000–$5,000 80–100%
Minor kitchen refresh $10,000–$20,000 $8,000–$16,000 75–85%
Bathroom update $10,000–$25,000 $7,500–$20,000 70–80%
Finished basement $30,000–$60,000 $22,000–$45,000 70–75%
Deck addition $10,000–$25,000 $7,000–$18,000 65–75%
Secondary suite (basement) $40,000–$80,000 $35,000–$72,000 75–90%
Major kitchen renovation $40,000–$80,000 $28,000–$56,000 65–75%
Swimming pool $40,000–$80,000 $15,000–$30,000 30–40%
Luxury master bath $40,000–$70,000 $24,000–$42,000 55–65%

Labour Rates by Trade

Trade Hourly Rate Per-Project Range
General contractor $50–$80/hr 10–20% of project cost
Electrician $80–$120/hr $150–$300/visit
Plumber $80–$130/hr $150–$350/visit
Carpenter/framer $50–$75/hr Varies by scope
Tiler $60–$90/hr $8–$25/sq ft installed
Painter $40–$60/hr $3–$6/sq ft
HVAC technician $80–$120/hr $150–$300/visit
Drywall installer $50–$70/hr $3–$5/sq ft
Roofer $60–$80/hr Quoted per project

Renovation Timeline

Project Typical Duration Notes
Painting (full interior) 3–5 days Minimal disruption
Bathroom (mid-range) 2–4 weeks One bathroom out of service
Kitchen (mid-range) 4–8 weeks Plan for temporary cooking setup
Basement finishing 6–12 weeks Inspections required
Home addition 3–6 months Permits required
Full renovation 4–12 months Plan for temporary housing
Roof replacement 2–5 days Weather dependent
Window replacement 1–3 days Per window

How to finance a home renovation in Canada

Option How it works Best for
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) Borrow against home equity; interest-only payments Large renovations; equity available
Refinance mortgage Add renovation cost to mortgage at refi Major structural renovations
Personal loan Unsecured; fixed rate, fixed term Mid-size renovations, no home equity
Credit card (0% promo) Interest-free if paid before promo ends Small purchases; hardware, fixtures
Home Renovation Tax Credit Federal/provincial credits for eligible upgrades Multigenerational, accessibility renos
Canada Greener Homes Grant Up to $5,600 for energy-efficiency upgrades Insulation, windows, HVAC

Frequently asked questions

Can renovation costs be deducted from capital gains on my home? Yes. When you sell your principal residence, capital improvements (not maintenance) increase your adjusted cost base (ACB), reducing the taxable gain. Keep all receipts — kitchen renovations, additions, finished basements, new roofs qualify. Regular maintenance (painting, minor repairs) does not.

Do I need a permit for all renovations in Canada? Most structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC changes require a building permit from your municipality. Cosmetic changes (painting, flooring, cabinet replacement without moving walls) typically do not. Unpermitted work can complicate home sales and may void insurance claims — always check with your local building department.

How do I find a reputable contractor in Canada? Check: HomeStars, Houzz, or local trade associations (Ontario General Contractors Association, etc.). Always get at least three written quotes, check licensing and insurance, and never pay more than 10–20% upfront. Legitimate contractors do not demand full payment in cash before starting.