How much does a kitchen renovation cost?

A kitchen renovation typically costs between £5,000 and £30,000 in the UK, $15,000 to $75,000 in the US, or CA$20,000 to CA$80,000 in Canada. The final price depends on kitchen size, material choices, appliance quality, and whether you hire professionals or DIY.

What is the biggest cost in a kitchen renovation?

Kitchen units and cabinetry are typically the largest expense, accounting for 30-40% of the total budget. Custom or semi-custom cabinets can cost significantly more than flat-pack options. Worktops are the second largest cost, especially if you choose natural stone like granite or marble.

How long does a kitchen renovation take?

A straightforward kitchen renovation takes 4-8 weeks on average. A simple refresh with new doors and worktops might take 2-3 weeks, while a full gut renovation involving layout changes can take 10-16 weeks.

Can I renovate a kitchen on a tight budget?

Yes. Focus on cosmetic updates like repainting cabinets, replacing doors and handles, fitting new worktops, and upgrading lighting. Keep the existing layout to avoid plumbing and electrical costs.

Is it cheaper to DIY a kitchen installation?

DIY installation can save 20-40% on labour costs, but only if you have the skills. Gas and certain electrical work must legally be done by certified professionals in the UK. A common middle ground is to install units yourself and hire trades for plumbing, gas, and electrics.

How accurate is this kitchen cost estimator?

Our estimates are based on 2025-2026 pricing data from trusted UK, US, and Canadian sources. We provide low, mid, and high ranges to reflect market variation. While no online estimator can replace a detailed quote, our tool gives you a reliable ballpark figure.

What worktop material offers the best value?

Laminate worktops offer the best value, starting from around £20-40 per linear metre. For a mid-range option, quartz offers excellent durability and low maintenance at £200-500 per m². Granite and marble are premium choices.

Should I get a kitchen from IKEA or a specialist?

IKEA kitchens offer excellent value with good quality for the price. Specialist kitchen companies offer more customisation, better build quality, and professional design services. For complex layouts or high-end finishes, a specialist is usually worth the extra investment.

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Canada in 2026?

The national average is approximately CA$38,000 for a mid-range renovation. The range is CA$10,000 (minor refresh) to CA$160,000+ (luxury full gut). Toronto and Vancouver are significantly above the national average.

Are kitchen renovation quotes in Canada including or excluding tax?

Most contractor quotes are excluding tax. Add the applicable HST/GST/QST for your province to get the tax-inclusive total. Alberta is the only major province with no provincial sales tax.

How long does a kitchen renovation take in Canada?

A mid-range full renovation takes 4–8 weeks once materials arrive. Semi-custom cabinet lead times are typically 4–10 weeks in Canada. Custom cabinets can take 10–16 weeks.

Do I need a permit for a kitchen renovation in Canada?

Permits are required for new plumbing runs, electrical panel upgrades, and structural changes in virtually all Canadian municipalities. Cosmetic renovations (cabinet and countertop replacement, paint, flooring) typically do not require permits.

Kitchen Renovation Cost Canada — Complete Guide for 2026

The average kitchen renovation costs CA$22,000 to CA$60,000 in Canada in 2026, with most homeowners spending around CA$38,000 for a mid-range renovation. Minor cosmetic updates start around CA$12,000; full luxury renovations exceed CA$100,000.

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Kitchen Renovation Cost at a Glance (Canada)

Renovation scope	Average cost (CA$)	Best for
Minor refresh	CA$10,000 – CA$18,000	Cosmetic update, no layout change
Mid-range renovation	CA$22,000 – CA$48,000	New cabinets, quartz, appliances
Premium renovation	CA$48,000 – CA$85,000	Layout changes, high-end finishes
Luxury / gut renovation	CA$85,000 – CA$160,000+	Full structural, custom everything

Prices are in Canadian dollars (CA$) and exclude provincial sales tax (PST/HST/QST).

Average Kitchen Renovation Cost by Province

Province	Mid-range kitchen renovation	Relative to national avg
British Columbia	CA$35,000 – CA$70,000	+20–35%
Ontario	CA$30,000 – CA$62,000	+10–20%
Alberta	CA$28,000 – CA$55,000	+5–15%
Quebec	CA$22,000 – CA$45,000	-5 to -10%
Manitoba / Saskatchewan	CA$20,000 – CA$40,000	-10 to -15%
Atlantic provinces	CA$18,000 – CA$38,000	-15 to -20%
National average	CA$22,000 – CA$48,000	—

Cost Breakdown (Canada, mid-range, 10–14m²)

Component	Cost range (CA$)	% of total
Cabinets (semi-custom, supply + install)	CA$7,000 – CA$18,000	28–38%
Labour (general contractor or trades)	CA$5,500 – CA$14,000	20–28%
Countertops (quartz or granite)	CA$2,200 – CA$7,500	8–14%
Appliances (full suite)	CA$3,000 – CA$9,000	10–16%
Flooring	CA$1,200 – CA$4,500	4–8%
Plumbing	CA$900 – CA$3,500	3–6%
Electrical	CA$1,000 – CA$3,500	3–6%
Backsplash	CA$600 – CA$2,200	2–4%
Sink and fixtures	CA$450 – CA$1,500	1–3%
Permits	CA$400 – CA$1,800	1–3%
Contingency (15% recommended)	CA$3,000 – CA$6,500	10–15%

Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Market

Budget / big-box

IKEA Canada, Home Depot Canada (Hampton Bay), Rona — Flat-pack self-assembly units. IKEA's Sektion system is widely available and one of the most popular choices for mid-budget renovations.

Mid-range

Kitchen Craft, Aristokraft, Wolf (mid-line), Schuler — Available through Home Depot, Rona, and independent kitchen dealers. Good quality rigid or framed cabinets with solid warranty coverage.

Semi-custom and custom

Menuet Cuisine (QC), Cuisines Steam (QC), Canac (QC), Almilmo (BC), local custom shops — Each province has a strong regional custom cabinet maker network. Quebec has a highly developed kitchen manufacturing sector.

Premium / bespoke

Poggenpohl, Boffi, Reform (European imports), local artisan shops — High-end European and Canadian-made cabinetry for luxury renovations.

Canadian Kitchen Renovation: Key Differences from the US

Metric measurements. Canadian kitchen planning uses metric. Cabinet widths are typically quoted in millimetres (300mm, 400mm, 600mm) rather than US inches.

Provincial HST/PST/GST on labour. Tax rates on renovation labour vary by province. Ontario: 13% HST. BC: 5% GST + 7% PST. Alberta: 5% GST only. Quebec: 14.975% combined (GST + QST). Always confirm whether quotes include or exclude tax.

Permit requirements. Canadian building permits for kitchen renovations are required for structural changes, new plumbing, and electrical work. Requirements vary by municipality. Permits typically cost CA$400–CA$1,800.

CMHC home renovation incentives. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation periodically offers renovation rebate programmes. Check CMHC.ca for current incentives.

Kitchen Renovation Cost Per Square Foot (Canada)

Scope	Cost per sq ft (CA$)
Budget / minor refresh	CA$120 – CA$180/sq ft
Mid-range	CA$180 – CA$350/sq ft
Premium	CA$350 – CA$550/sq ft
Luxury	CA$550 – CA$1,000+/sq ft

Does a Kitchen Renovation Add Value in Canada?

According to Appraisal Institute of Canada data and Realtor surveys:

A mid-range kitchen renovation recoups 60–75% of its cost at sale nationally
In Toronto and Vancouver hot markets, well-executed kitchens add 8–12% of home value
The highest ROI renovations are mid-range (CA$30,000–CA$55,000)