Kitchen Renovation Cost in Toronto (2026)
In 2026, a full kitchen renovation in Toronto typically costs between $35,000 and $75,000 for a standard mid-range kitchen, $20,000 to $40,000 for a small or budget-friendly kitchen, and $80,000 to $150,000 or more for a large or luxury kitchen. That is the direct answer to the kitchen renovation cost in Toronto question most homeowners ask first. Your exact price depends on the size of the kitchen, whether the layout and plumbing move, the cabinets and countertops you choose, and the condition of the home behind the walls.
This guide breaks the total down line by line — cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, plumbing, electrical, and labour — so you can build a realistic budget before you ask for quotes. All figures are estimates for Toronto and the GTA in 2026 and vary by scope, materials, and condition. Always confirm your price with a written, itemized quote.
Kitchen Renovation Cost in Toronto at a Glance
Use this table as a planning starting point, not a quote. It assumes a complete renovation done properly and to code: demolition, cabinets, countertops, flooring, plumbing and electrical work where needed, appliances, and finishing.
| Kitchen Type | Typical Scope | Estimated Cost Range (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (paint, hardware, lighting, backsplash, no cabinet replacement) | Same layout, surfaces only | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Small kitchen, full renovation | Under 100 sq. ft., stock or semi-custom cabinets | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Standard mid-range kitchen | 100–200 sq. ft., semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters | $35,000 – $75,000 |
| Large kitchen | 200+ sq. ft., island, semi-custom or custom cabinets | $60,000 – $110,000 |
| Luxury kitchen | Custom cabinets, premium stone, high-end appliances, layout changes | $80,000 – $150,000+ |
Two kitchens of the same size can differ by $40,000 or more based on three decisions: whether cabinets are stock, semi-custom, or custom; whether the sink, stove, and walls stay where they are; and how premium the appliances and countertops are. The sections below show where the money actually goes.
What a Toronto Kitchen Renovation Includes: Cost Breakdown
A transparent quote separates the total into lines. Here is what each part of a standard Toronto kitchen renovation typically costs in 2026, as estimates that vary by scope and materials:
| Item | Estimated Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | $1,500 – $3,500 | Removing old cabinets, counters, flooring; bin and dumping fees |
| Cabinets — stock | $6,000 – $12,000 | Pre-made sizes, limited finishes, fastest delivery |
| Cabinets — semi-custom | $12,000 – $28,000 | Most Toronto mid-range kitchens; more sizes and finishes |
| Cabinets — custom | $25,000 – $50,000+ | Built to the exact space, premium materials and hardware |
| Cabinet installation | $2,500 – $6,000 | Sometimes included in the cabinet price — check the quote |
| Countertops — laminate | $1,500 – $3,500 | Budget option, much improved in recent years |
| Countertops — quartz | $4,000 – $9,000 | The most popular mid-range choice in Toronto; price depends on slab and edges |
| Countertops — granite or marble | $5,000 – $12,000+ | Natural stone, premium slabs at the top end |
| Appliances (fridge, range, dishwasher, hood, microwave) | $5,000 – $20,000+ | Mid-range sets $7,000–$12,000; premium brands far higher |
| Flooring | $2,500 – $7,000 | Vinyl/laminate lower, hardwood and tile higher; includes subfloor prep |
| Backsplash tile and installation | $1,200 – $3,500 | Material plus labour; patterns and mosaics cost more |
| Plumbing (sink, dishwasher, fridge line, gas line if needed) | $1,500 – $5,000 | Higher if the sink or gas range moves |
| Electrical and lighting | $2,000 – $6,000 | Pot lights, under-cabinet lighting, outlets, panel work if needed |
| Sink, faucet, and hardware | $600 – $2,000 | Undermount sink and quality faucet in the mid-range |
| Paint, trim, and finishing | $1,000 – $2,500 | Walls, ceiling, trim, final touch-ups |
| Permits and inspections (when required) | $500 – $2,500 | Depends on layout, plumbing, electrical, and structural changes |
If a quote is far below these ranges, ask which lines are missing. Cabinet installation, disposal, permits, and electrical upgrades are the most common omissions — and they tend to reappear later as extras.
Cabinets: The Biggest Line in the Budget
Cabinets usually account for 30 to 40 percent of a full kitchen renovation cost in Toronto, so this is the decision that moves the total most. Stock cabinets from a big-box supplier are the fastest and cheapest route, but they come in fixed sizes that may need filler pieces in an older Toronto home. Semi-custom cabinets — the choice in most mid-range renovations — offer far more sizes, drawer configurations, and finishes for a moderate increase. Full custom cabinets are built for your exact room and give the best fit and finish, especially in houses with uneven walls or unusual layouts, but they carry the longest lead times and the highest price.
Practical ways to control cabinet cost without hurting the result: keep the same cabinet footprint, choose painted MDF or thermofoil doors instead of solid wood where appropriate, use drawers only where they help most (a large pot drawer base is worth it; every cabinet does not need to be a drawer), and avoid glass doors and specialty inserts except for one feature cabinet. Soft-close hinges and drawers are a small cost for a large daily difference — keep those.
Countertops, Backsplash, and Flooring
Quartz is the countertop most Toronto homeowners choose in 2026: it is durable, consistent in colour, and needs no sealing. As an estimate, expect roughly $70 to $110 per square foot installed for mid-range quartz, with premium slabs higher. Granite and marble can be beautiful but vary widely by slab and require more care. Laminate has improved dramatically and remains a legitimate budget option at a fraction of stone prices.
For backsplash, ceramic and porcelain tile are the value choices; marble, hand-made tile, and full-height stone splashbacks sit at the premium end. For flooring, luxury vinyl plank handles Toronto winters, spills, and pets very well at the lowest cost; tile is durable but colder and harder; and hardwood or engineered wood ties the kitchen visually into the rest of a home renovation when the main floor is being done at the same time.
Appliances: Where Budgets Quietly Grow
It is easy to add $10,000 to a kitchen budget in one appliance showroom visit. Set the appliance budget before you shop, and choose the range and fridge first — they drive cabinet and electrical decisions. A reliable mid-range set (fridge, slide-in range, dishwasher, range hood, and microwave) typically lands around $7,000 to $12,000 as an estimate. Panel-ready and built-in appliances, pro-style ranges, and premium European brands can push the same five pieces past $20,000, and they may also require cabinet, gas, or electrical changes. Order appliances early and confirm exact dimensions with your contractor before cabinets are finalized — a fridge or range that is an inch too wide is an expensive mistake.
Keeping the Layout vs. Moving Things
Leaving the sink, stove, and dishwasher in place is the single biggest saving in a kitchen renovation. Moving a sink means moving water and drain lines; moving a gas range means a licensed gas fitter and possibly a permit; removing a load-bearing wall to open the kitchen up means engineering, a permit, and a beam — often $8,000 to $20,000 or more on its own as an estimate. A layout change can be absolutely worth it for a kitchen that does not function, but go in knowing it is the difference between a mid-range budget and a large one.
If you are planning your kitchen renovation around a budget, start with the existing layout, spend on cabinets and counters, and only move plumbing or walls if the current layout genuinely fails you every day.
House vs. Condo Kitchens in Toronto
Condo kitchens follow extra rules: most Toronto condo boards require written approval before work starts, proof of contractor insurance, elevator reservations for deliveries and debris, and work only during permitted weekday hours. Some buildings also restrict plumbing changes or require a booked water shutdown. These steps do not usually change the renovation price dramatically, but they do affect scheduling, and a contractor who works in condos regularly handles the paperwork routinely.
Older Toronto houses bring different surprises: out-of-plumb walls and floors, old galvanized plumbing, knob-and-tube or undersized electrical in pre-war homes, and asbestos in some old flooring or pipe insulation that must be tested and handled properly. Budget a 10 to 15 percent contingency for any kitchen in a home more than about 40 years old, and expect the contingency conversation to happen after demolition, when the walls are open.
Do You Need a Permit for a Kitchen Renovation in Toronto?
A cosmetic kitchen update — replacing cabinets, counters, and finishes in the same layout, with no changes to plumbing, structure, or the electrical system beyond like-for-like replacements — generally does not require a City of Toronto building permit. A permit is typically required when you remove or move walls (especially load-bearing walls), move or add plumbing, change the layout significantly, or alter structure. Electrical work is overseen separately through the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), and plumbing, gas, and electrical work should always be done by licensed trades.
When in doubt, ask before demolition. Unpermitted structural or plumbing work can create real problems at resale and with home insurance. Your contractor should tell you plainly whether your project needs a permit and who will obtain it — and that answer should be in writing in the quote.
How to Control Your Kitchen Budget Without Cutting Corners
- Keep the layout. Leaving the sink, stove, and walls in place is often a $5,000 to $15,000 saving compared with moving them.
- Choose semi-custom cabinets. For most Toronto kitchens they give the best balance of fit, choice, and price.
- Pick one feature. A statement island, a premium slab, or a beautiful range — one feature looks designed. Premium everything is where budgets break.
- Set the appliance budget first. Decide the number before the showroom visit, not during it.
- Spend on what is permanent. Cabinet quality, countertop fabrication, plumbing, and electrical are hard to redo. Handles, stools, and decor can be upgraded any time.
- Get the quote itemized. A line-by-line quote lets you adjust finishes before work starts instead of arguing about extras after demolition.
- Hold a contingency. Keep 10 to 15 percent aside, especially in older homes. If you do not need it, it becomes your furniture budget.
How Long a Toronto Kitchen Renovation Takes
A standard full kitchen typically takes five to eight weeks once demolition starts, plus the lead time to order cabinets and countertops before that. A realistic sequence: one week for demolition and rough-in plumbing and electrical, inspections where required, cabinet installation over several days, countertop templating after cabinets are set (then about one to two weeks for fabrication), followed by backsplash, flooring finishing, appliances, and final touches. A cosmetic refresh takes about two to three weeks. Your contractor should give you a written schedule before work begins, including the cabinet order date — most kitchen delays in Toronto are ordering delays, not construction delays.
See real finishes, layouts, and completed Toronto projects on our kitchen renovation page, including the kitchen pictured in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Toronto in 2026?
As an estimate, a standard mid-range full kitchen costs $35,000 to $75,000 in 2026, a small full kitchen $20,000 to $40,000, and a large or luxury kitchen $80,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on cabinets, layout changes, appliances, finishes, and conditions behind the walls. Get a written, itemized quote for your specific scope.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinets are usually the largest line, at roughly 30 to 40 percent of the total, followed by appliances and countertops. Layout changes — moving plumbing, gas, or load-bearing walls — can overtake all of them, so keeping the existing layout is the biggest single saving.
How much do kitchen cabinets cost in Toronto?
As estimates for a standard kitchen: stock cabinets $6,000 to $12,000, semi-custom $12,000 to $28,000, and custom $25,000 to $50,000 or more, with installation typically $2,500 to $6,000 if it is not included. Size, material, and drawer configuration drive the price.
Can I renovate a kitchen for $20,000 in Toronto?
Yes, for a small kitchen or a smart cosmetic-to-partial renovation: keep the layout, use stock or refaced cabinets, laminate or entry quartz counters, and a modest appliance set. At that budget a full mid-range gut renovation is not realistic in 2026 — be cautious of any quote that promises one, and check carefully what it leaves out.
Do I need a permit to renovate my kitchen in Toronto?
Generally not for a like-for-like cosmetic renovation with no plumbing, structural, or layout changes. Permits are typically required for moving walls, plumbing relocation, and structural work, and electrical work is handled through the ESA. Confirm for your project before demolition — your contractor should state the answer in writing.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Toronto?
Typically five to eight weeks of construction for a full kitchen, plus cabinet and countertop ordering time before demolition. Cosmetic refreshes take about two to three weeks. Most delays come from product lead times, so order cabinets and appliances early.
Get a Real Number for Your Kitchen — Free Quote
Online ranges help you plan a budget, but they cannot price your kitchen. We measure your space, talk through layout, cabinets, and finishes, and give you a written, itemized quote for your kitchen renovation — so the number you plan around is the number in the contract.
Contact Shahkar Renovation for a free quote. Call us at +1 647 504 4646 and tell us about your project. New clients receive 10% off their first project — ask about the offer when you call.
We serve Toronto and the GTA — kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and full-home projects, priced in writing before work begins.


No comment