Kitchen renovation cost ranges in Ontario
Kitchen renovations in Ontario broadly fall into three tiers. Understanding which one applies to your project is the first step to setting a realistic budget.
| Tier | What you get and what it costs |
|---|---|
| Refresh ($8,000–$20,000) | New cabinet doors and hardware, countertop, backsplash, lighting updates. Existing layout stays. No plumbing or electrical moves. |
| Mid-range reno ($20,000–$50,000) | Full cabinet replacement, stone counters, new appliances, some layout changes, updated plumbing and electrical. |
| Custom / structural ($50,000–$100,000+) | Wall removal, custom cabinetry, premium surfaces, full plumbing and electrical rework, permits required. |
What drives kitchen renovation costs
Labour is the largest variable. A kitchen renovation in the Collingwood to Owen Sound corridor is comparable to Ontario pricing generally — there is no significant regional discount.
| Cost driver | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Cabinetry (stock / semi-custom / custom) | $5,000 / $12,000 / $25,000+ |
| Countertops (laminate / quartz / stone) | $1,500 / $4,000 / $8,000+ |
| Backsplash tile + installation | $1,200–$4,000 |
| Plumbing (sink, dishwasher, gas range) | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Electrical (dedicated circuits, pot lights, range hood) | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Flooring | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Structural (wall removal, beam, subfloor) | $3,000–$15,000+ |
| Permits (if required) | $500–$2,000 |
The hidden costs most kitchen budgets miss
Subfloor repair: older Ontario homes frequently have subfloor damage under the kitchen that only becomes visible once the flooring is removed. Budget $500–$2,500 as a contingency.
Electrical upgrades: kitchens require dedicated circuits for appliances. If your panel is old or already at capacity, an upgrade adds $2,000–$5,000.
Plumbing rerouting: moving the sink or dishwasher even 24 inches can add $1,500–$3,000 depending on access.
Structural work: removing a wall that turns out to be load-bearing requires a beam and potentially an engineer — budget $3,000–$10,000 if you are not certain what is in the wall.
What a good contractor tells you upfront
Before demo starts, we identify the subfloor condition, electrical panel capacity, and whether any walls in scope are structural. These are not surprises — they are part of the scope assessment.
How to get a kitchen renovation quote you can actually use
A lump-sum quote with no breakdown tells you almost nothing. You cannot compare it to another quote, and you cannot tell if what you are getting is realistic for the price.
A proper kitchen quote should break out: demo and disposal, cabinetry supply and install, countertop supply and install, plumbing, electrical, tile work, flooring, and any structural work separately. Allowances for appliances should be specified clearly.
Ask every contractor: Is this fixed or an estimate? What happens if something unexpected comes up? Are permits included? Who pulls them?
Kitchen renovation timelines in Ontario
A refresh with no structural work: 2–4 weeks. A full cabinet replacement with plumbing and electrical: 4–6 weeks. A structural renovation with permits: 6–10 weeks from permit approval.
Lead time for custom cabinetry is typically 6–10 weeks from order, so the sequence matters: measure, quote, order cabinets, then start demo.
Get a written kitchen renovation quote
We quote kitchens with a detailed line-item scope — not a lump sum. You can see exactly what is and is not included before you commit to anything.