Kitchen Renovation Cost in Canada in 2026: Budget, Mid-Range and High-End
2026 CAD price ranges for a kitchen renovation in Canada: cabinets, countertops, labour, plumbing and electrical, plus where budgets blow up.
The kitchen is the most requested and most misquoted renovation in Canada. Homeowners often set a budget from a TV show, then meet reality at the first quote. These are typical 2026 ranges. Your market, the size of the room and the finishes will move them.
Typical total cost by level
- Refresh (paint, new hardware, backsplash, faucet, some appliances): about $5,000–$15,000
- Mid-range remodel (new cabinets and counters, same layout): about $25,000–$60,000
- High-end or layout change (custom cabinets, stone counters, moved plumbing and gas): about $60,000–$120,000+
Where the money goes
- Cabinets: 25–35% of the total. Stock, semi-custom and custom prices differ by several times.
- Labour and installation: 20–35%
- Countertops: laminate is cheapest, quartz and granite sit mid to high, and natural stone costs most. Installed prices of roughly $50–$200+ per square foot are common.
- Appliances: from a few thousand to well over $15,000 for a premium package
- Flooring, lighting and backsplash: often forgotten at the first budget
- Plumbing and electrical: code updates, new circuits and venting add up, especially in older homes
What makes a kitchen budget blow up
Moving things
Keeping the sink, stove and fridge in place saves a lot. Relocating plumbing, gas lines or ductwork adds labour, permits and drywall and floor repairs.
Surprises behind the walls
Old wiring, asbestos-containing materials in older homes, out-of-level floors and hidden water damage are common. A contingency of 10–15% is realistic.
Lead times
Custom cabinets and special-order appliances can take many weeks. Delays mean extended time without a kitchen, a cost clients rarely plan for.
How contractors should quote a kitchen
Split the quote into demolition, structural, plumbing, electrical, cabinets supply and install, counters, backsplash, flooring, painting, permits and disposal. State what the client supplies, which allowances apply to finishes they have not yet chosen, and how change orders work. Renovators using quoting software for renovation contractors can assemble this list from a site visit in minutes, and cabinetmakers can do the same with tools built for carpentry. For other big-ticket jobs, see the cost to finish a basement.