How much does kitchen renovation cost in Canada?
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Key takeaways
- Most kitchen renovation jobs in Canada land between CA$12,000–CA$180,000 — known locally as kitchen renovation.
- Canadian kitchen renovations need municipal permits when structure, plumbing, or wiring change, with electrical inspection by provincial authorities and licensed gas fitters for gas work. Quebec's RBQ licence is mandatory for contractors, and provincial lien acts make the statutory holdback standard practice.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Kitchen Renovation prices by job size in Canada
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor renovation Same layout, stock cabinets or refacing, new counters | CA$12,000 | CA$20,000 | CA$30,000 |
| Full mid-range renovation Semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, layout tweaks | CA$30,000 | CA$45,000 | CA$70,000 |
| Major custom renovation Custom cabinetry, layout change, premium appliances | CA$70,000 | CA$110,000 | CA$180,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per square foot (full renovation) | CA$120 | CA$250 | CA$500 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Canada typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a kitchen renovation pro in Canada
- Check provincial/municipal licensing where applicable (Quebec RBQ; Toronto municipal licensing), insurance, and WSIB/WorkSafe coverage
- Confirm licensed trades: electrician with provincial inspection (e.g., ESA in Ontario) for circuits, licensed gas fitter for gas ranges
- Pull a municipal permit for wall removals, plumbing moves, or added circuits
- Get three itemized quotes separating cabinetry, counters, appliances, trades, and installation
- Lock appliance models before cabinets are ordered
- Use the statutory lien holdback on progress payments (10% in Ontario)
Red flags
- Cash deal proposed to skip HST and permits
- Load-bearing wall opinion given without an engineer
- Cabinet order demanded in full before a signed contract
- No licensed gas fitter for a gas range move
- No WSIB/WorkSafe clearance
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to CAD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Extrapolated from Angi/HomeAdvisor kitchen data at Canadian labour rates and CAD; Provincial licensing and inspection rules (RBQ, ESA).
Frequently asked questions
What should I check at handover of a new kitchen?
Open every door and drawer and check alignment and soft-close action; run the tap and check under-sink connections for weeps; test every appliance and outlet; check the benchtop for chips and sealant lines; confirm the splashback is sealed; and collect appliance warranties plus gas and electrical compliance certificates before releasing the final payment.
What contingency should I hold for a kitchen renovation?
Hold 10-15% beyond the quote. The classic surprises are behind the old kitchen: degraded wiring that fails modern load requirements, corroded pipework, out-of-level floors that complicate cabinet installation, and walls that need replastering once tiles come off. Older properties justify the top of the range.
How much deposit is normal for a kitchen renovation?
Kitchen projects legitimately need larger deposits than other renovations because cabinetry is manufactured to order — 20-40% at signing is common for supply-and-install packages, though several countries cap contract deposits by law. Make sure the deposit is tied to the cabinet order being placed, and always keep a final 5-10% until installation snags are fixed.
Who should I hire — a kitchen company, a general contractor, or separate trades?
Kitchen companies bundle design, cabinetry, and installation — convenient, mid-to-premium pricing, but their trades coordination varies. A general contractor suits kitchens with structural or layout changes. Buying cabinets yourself and hiring an installer plus plumber and electrician is cheapest but makes you the project manager. Match the model to how much rework your kitchen needs, not to the showroom experience.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
On-site work for a straightforward same-layout kitchen runs 2-4 weeks; layout changes with plumbing, gas, or electrical rework push it to 4-8 weeks. The hidden timeline is before day one: custom cabinetry commonly has 4-10 week manufacturing lead times, so order early and only demolish once delivery is confirmed.
What are the most common kitchen renovation mistakes?
Ordering cabinets before finalizing appliance models; demolishing before cabinet delivery is confirmed; skimping on drawers (they beat cupboards for base storage); too few power outlets; no dedicated circuits for ovens and induction hobs; and treating ventilation as an afterthought — a recirculating hood where ducting was feasible is a permanent regret.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Canada?
Minor same-layout renovations run roughly CAD 12,000-30,000, full mid-range projects CAD 30,000-70,000, and major custom kitchens CAD 70,000-180,000 in large metros. These track US benchmarks adjusted to Canadian labour and CAD.
Do Canadian winters affect kitchen renovation scheduling?
Interior kitchen work runs year-round, and Q1 is often easier to book with better pricing. The winter caveats are material deliveries in snow-affected regions and ventilation during finishing — both manageable if the contractor plans them.
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