Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond · North Shore
Kitchen Renovations in Vancouver
A full kitchen renovation is the largest single investment most Vancouver homeowners make in their house. We design it, build it and finish it ourselves — and you get the price in writing before demolition starts.
- Fixed written price in 5 business days
- 2-year workmanship warranty
- Fully insured · WorkSafeBC
What a kitchen renovation costs in Vancouver in 2026
Most contractors won't put numbers on a page. We think that wastes everyone's time — yours and ours. These are the real ranges in Metro Vancouver right now, and they're the ranges we quote against.
| Scope | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $15,000 – $25,000 | New countertops, backsplash, hardware and paint. Existing cabinet boxes stay. |
| Mid-range full renovation | $25,000 – $80,000 | Full gut, new cabinetry, stone counters, appliances, flooring, standard electrical and plumbing. |
| High-end / custom | $100,000 – $185,000+ | Custom millwork, natural stone, structural changes, premium appliances, integrated lighting. |
The Metro Vancouver average for a full mid-range kitchen lands around $45,000 to $53,000, or roughly $200–$450 per square foot depending on finish level. Vancouver runs 20–30% above the national average: a kitchen that costs $50,000 in Calgary or Ottawa typically lands at $60,000–$65,000 here. Labour availability and material freight are most of that gap.
Three things move a quote more than anything else: whether the layout changes, whether the cabinetry is stock or custom, and what the countertop is. Moving a sink or a gas line means permits, trades and drywall repair — it is rarely a small decision.
How we price. One itemized written quote within 5 business days of the walkthrough. Fixtures and finishes named by model, not buried in an allowance. The number only changes if you change the scope, in writing.
Do you need a permit for a kitchen renovation in Vancouver?
Often, yes — and it depends on scope rather than budget. The test is whether you are changing the surface or changing the systems.
You generally need a permit if you are:
- Moving plumbing — relocating a sink, adding a pot filler, or moving a dishwasher
- Adding electrical circuits or outlets, including island receptacles and under-cabinet lighting
- Changing venting, such as new range hood ducting to the exterior
- Removing or altering a wall, load-bearing or not
- Installing or relocating a gas range
You generally don't need one for: painting, replacing flooring, swapping cabinet doors, or replacing a countertop where nothing moves.
A full kitchen renovation often needs more than one permit — a building permit if walls are altered, an electrical permit, and a gas permit if there's a gas appliance. Timelines vary: straightforward applications where the layout stays the same can be issued quickly, while renovations involving structural change commonly run 8–14 weeks through the City of Vancouver. Burnaby, Richmond and the North Shore each run their own process and their own timelines.
We handle this. Permit applications, drawings, fees and inspection scheduling are part of your fixed price. It is not a line item that appears halfway through the job.
Cabinetry and countertops
Cabinetry and stone are where a kitchen either reads as custom or reads as catalogue, and they're where most of your budget goes. They're also our own trade rather than something we subcontract and hope for.
Cabinetry. We build and install custom millwork — full-height pantries, integrated appliance panels, drawer banks sized to what you actually own, and the awkward corners that stock cabinets can't solve. If a stock or semi-custom line genuinely suits your budget better, we'll tell you.
Countertops. Quartz, natural stone and large-format porcelain. Mitred waterfall edges, bookmatched veining across an island and a backsplash, undermount sink cutouts and templating are all done in-house. If you've seen a slab you love, we'll work back from it.
This is the part of the job that shows. A well-built kitchen with an average layout still looks expensive; a beautiful layout with poor finish carpentry never does.
How long will your kitchen be out of use?
The honest answer for a full gut-and-rebuild in Metro Vancouver is four to six weeks on site, with the whole project — design, selections, permits, material lead times and build — usually spanning eight to fourteen weeks from signing.
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Design, drawings and finish selections | 1–2 weeks |
| Permits (if the layout changes) | varies by municipality |
| Demolition and rough-in | 1–1.5 weeks |
| Cabinetry installation | 1 week |
| Countertop template and fabrication | 1–2 weeks |
| Tile, finishing, paint and punch list | 1–1.5 weeks |
The countertop gap is the one people don't expect: stone can only be templated once the cabinets are in and level, then fabrication takes its own time. We plan around it rather than pretending it isn't there.
On day one we set up a temporary kitchen station — sink access where possible, the fridge relocated, counter space and power — so you're not eating takeout for six weeks. Dust barriers go up before demolition, and the site gets cleaned daily.
Our Work
Recent kitchen and millwork projects
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Bookmatched Marble & Walnut
Vancouver
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Marble Waterfall Island
Vancouver
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Outdoor Kitchen
Vancouver
Kitchen renovation questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Vancouver?
A mid-range full kitchen renovation in Metro Vancouver typically runs $25,000 to $80,000, with the average landing around $45,000 to $53,000. Cosmetic refreshes start near $15,000 and high-end custom kitchens reach $100,000 and beyond. Vancouver costs run roughly 20 to 30 percent above the Canadian average.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen renovation in Vancouver?
You need a permit if you are moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits, changing range hood venting, altering a wall, or installing a gas range. Purely cosmetic work such as paint, flooring or new cabinet doors does not require one. We pull and manage all permits as part of your fixed price.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Four to six weeks of active work on site for a full gut and rebuild. Allow eight to fourteen weeks in total from signing, covering design, finish selections, permits and countertop fabrication.
Can I stay in my home during the renovation?
Almost always, yes. We install dust barriers before demolition, clean the site daily, and set up a temporary kitchen station on day one with fridge access, counter space and power.
Do you provide design, or do I need my own designer?
We are design-build, so layout drawings and finish selections are part of what we do. If you already work with a designer or architect, we'll build to their drawings.
What happens if you find something behind the walls?
We document it, photograph it, and give you a written price before touching it. Nothing is added to your invoice without your signature.
Kitchen renovations across Greater Vancouver
- Vancouver
- Burnaby
- Richmond
- North Vancouver
- West Vancouver
- Coquitlam
- Port Moody
- New Westminster
- Surrey
- Delta
Free · No Obligation
Get a fixed price for your kitchen
We'll visit, measure, and send a fixed written price within 5 business days. No fee, no pressure, no follow-up sales calls.