Independent renovation guide for Canada

About

Editorial policy

Contact

RénoClair

Kitchen Renovation Cost Calculator: Estimate Your Budget

Low, typical and high budget before tax based on cabinet length, quality range and scope of work.

This kitchen renovation cost calculator estimates what a full kitchen renovation costs before tax (low, typical and high), based on the length of cabinets, the quality range, the scope of work and the age of the home. Reference case, data reviewed in November 2026: a 20-linear-foot mid-range kitchen with the same layout costs about $37,500 before tax in Quebec ($31,900 to $48,000), $52,000 before tax in Ontario ($44,200 to $66,600), $56,000 before tax in British Columbia ($47,600 to $71,400), and $52,000 before tax in Alberta ($44,200 to $66,600). Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. The detailed budget is emailed to you as a PDF.

To receive your detailed budget, use the “Email me this budget (PDF)” form on renoclair.ca.

Free estimate · 4 steps

Your home

Location and home age change the price and the contingency margin.

Prices, taxes and cities change by province.
Used mainly to estimate the permit.
Home ageAn older home hides more surprises behind the walls.

Your kitchen

Cabinet length and quality level drive most of the price.

Measure along the walls with base cabinets, in linear feet.
linear feet
Quality levelPick the finish level closest to your project.

The work

The more you change walls, plumbing and wiring, the higher the labour cost.

Scope of work
OptionsCheck only what applies.
0 %
Painting, demolition, finishing… The share of labour you do yourself.

Your kitchen budget

Range before tax, based on your answers.

Typical budgetRange: to
Before tax · with tax (typical):
Breakdown of the typical amount

Get this detailed budget as a PDF

Line-by-line costs, possible rebates and next steps, in your inbox.

Privacy

We email the budget as a PDF to the address you enter, and we keep your email and the calculation parameters for 12 months, then delete them. This information is processed by our hosting and email providers, who may store it outside Quebec. You can request access to, correction or deletion of your information. Person in charge of the protection of personal information: info@renoclair.ca. Privacy policy. You can withdraw your consent at any time by writing to info@renoclair.ca.

Planning budget
– · before tax

Typical costs by province (before tax)

Kitchen range (20 lin. ft, same layout)LowTypicalHigh
Quebec: Economy (melamine, laminate counter)$17,000$21,000$25,000
Quebec: Mid-range (thermoplastic, quartz)$30,000$37,500$45,000
Quebec: High end (custom cabinetry, luxury finish)$50,000$62,500$75,000+
Quebec: Panel upgrade (100 A to 200 A)$1,800$2,300$2,800
Quebec: Plumbing relocation$1,500$2,750$4,000
Ontario: Economy (refacing / melamine, laminate counter)$16,000$24,000$35,000
Ontario: Mid-range (semi-custom, quartz, tile backsplash)$35,000$52,000$75,000
Ontario: High end (custom millwork, island, premium finish)$75,000$110,000$160,000+
Ontario: Panel upgrade 200A (ESA LEC),500,750,000
Ontario: Plumbing relocation$2,500$3,750$5,000
British Columbia: Economy (refacing / laminate)$18,000$27,000$38,000
British Columbia: Mid-range (semi-custom, quartz, tile backsplash)$38,000$56,000$80,000
British Columbia: High end (custom cabinetry, waterfall island, luxury finish)$80,000$118,000$175,000+
British Columbia: Panel upgrade (Technical Safety BC),700,050,400
British Columbia: Plumbing relocation$2,800$4,200$5,600
Alberta: Economy (refacing / laminate)$16,500$25,000$35,000
Alberta: Mid-range (semi-custom, quartz, tile backsplash)$35,000$52,000$74,000
Alberta: High end (custom cabinetry, waterfall island, luxury finish)$74,000$108,000$160,000+
Alberta: Panel upgrade (Safety Codes Alberta),500,750,000
Alberta: Plumbing relocation$2,500$3,750$5,000

Installed project totals before tax, November 2026. Rates cross-checked across verified kitchen renovators and pricing databases in Quebec and Ontario. Taxes are applied separately based on province (14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia — 7% PST on materials is paid by the contractor and embedded in installed prices, and 5% GST only in Alberta with no PST). The high end has no fixed ceiling.

What is included and what is not

Included

  • Standard kitchen tear-out and debris removal
  • Cabinets and countertops (laminate or quartz depending on range)
  • Plumbing reconnection and certified electrical work (ESA in ON / CMEQ in QC)
  • Installation and general contractor coordination

Not included

  • Kitchen appliances
  • Architectural or structural engineering plans
  • Major unplanned structural wall removals
  • Contingency reserve and taxes (shown separately)

How the kitchen renovation cost calculator calculates your estimate

The typical amount for each range comes from installed totals published by verified price sources in 2026, brought back to a 20-linear-foot kitchen and scaled in proportion to the length you enter. The scope of work only changes the labour share (33%, median of sources reporting 25% to 40%); the age of the home changes the cost, the contingency and the width of the range (−15% to +28% around the typical amount). In Quebec, 20 linear feet mid-range averages $37,500; in Ontario, it averages $52,000.

Options: upgrading a 100 A panel to 200 A is counted at $2,300 in Quebec (panel swap at the same location) and $3,750 in Ontario, $4,050 in British Columbia and $3,750 in Alberta (100 A to 200 A service upgrade); moving plumbing adds $1,500 to $4,000 in Quebec, $2,500 to $5,000 in Ontario, $2,800 to $5,600 in British Columbia, and $2,500 to $5,000 in Alberta. A 15% contingency is included.

Amounts are before tax and rounded ($50 below $10,000, $100 above). The calculator also shows the typical amount with applicable sales tax (14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia, 5% GST only in Alberta). Items marked as RénoClair assumptions are listed as such in the PDF.

Rebates and financial aid

There is no government grant for a cosmetic kitchen renovation. However, accessibility modifications and secondary suites may qualify for: the federal Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (up to $7,500 for a secondary unit), the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit (up to $3,000) and the Quebec independent-living credit for seniors.

Permits, licences and rules

  • Alberta (NBC(AE) 2023 & Alberta Safety Codes Act): Replacing kitchen cabinets or counters in the same layout does not require a building permit. Removing load-bearing walls, relocating primary plumbing or altering electrical circuits requires municipal Safety Codes permits (Calgary, Edmonton) and Red Seal / AIT-certified trades. Pre-1990 homes require asbestos checks under the Alberta OHS Code. Under the Alberta Consumer Protection Act, contractors taking deposits must hold a Prepaid Contracting Business Licence, and direct home contracts include a 10-day cooling-off period.
  • British Columbia (BCBC 2024 / VBBL & Technical Safety BC): Replacing kitchen cabinets or counters in the same layout requires no building permit. Modifying load-bearing walls, altering primary plumbing or adding structural openings requires a municipal building permit (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Victoria). Electrical and gas modifications must be permitted under Technical Safety BC. Direct sales contracts signed at home include a mandatory 10-day cooling-off cancellation period under the BPCPA.
  • Ontario (OBC & ESA): Replacing kitchen cabinets or counters in the same layout requires no building permit. Moving load-bearing walls or primary plumbing stacks requires an OBC municipal building permit across Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London). Electrical work (dedicated kitchen circuits, GFCI outlets, panel upgrade) must be completed by an ESA Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC). Direct home contracts have a 10-day cooling-off cancellation period.
  • Quebec (RBQ & CMEQ): Montreal: replacing cabinets or counters does not require a permit; work on load-bearing structure does ($9.80 per $1,000 of work, minimum $167.40). Electrical work must be completed by a CMEQ master electrician (RBQ license 16).

Which provinces are covered?

Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Taxes (14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia, 5% GST only in Alberta), local building regulations, permits, and provincial rebates or financing are automatically factored in based on your selection.

Limitations

This is a planning estimate, not a quote. It does not see the condition of your home, regional price differences or hidden problems; only a written quote after a visit gives the price of your work. The result cannot be printed from the page: the detailed budget is sent to you as a PDF by email, after you enter your address and give your consent.

Sources, review date and data version

  • Data reviewed in November 2026; next review planned for February 2027.
  • Price sources: verified contractors, actual published quotes and retail prices collected across independent domains in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
  • Data version: 2026.Q4-1. Methodology: Sources and methodology.

Related guides and resources

Frequently asked questions