How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Toronto?

Most Toronto kitchen renovations land between $35,000 and $70,000 for mid-range work, $25,000 to $35,000 for a cosmetic refresh, and $80,000 and up for high-end with custom cabinetry and premium appliances. See our full breakdown on the kitchen renovation cost page.

How long does a kitchen reno take?

A typical Toronto kitchen renovation takes 4 to 8 weeks from demolition to final clean. Cabinets are usually the long-lead item, so we order them as soon as the design is locked. Layout changes that move plumbing or move a wall add 1 to 2 weeks.

Do I need a permit to renovate my kitchen?

If you are doing a like-for-like cabinet and counter swap, no permit is needed. Moving plumbing, relocating gas, removing a load-bearing wall, or changing the electrical panel all require a City of Toronto building permit. We handle the permit application as part of the project.

Can I keep my kitchen functional during the renovation?

We set up a temporary kitchen station in another room with the fridge, microwave and a kettle. The full kitchen is usually unusable for 3 to 5 weeks during demo and rough-in. Most clients eat out or set up a basement counter for that period.

What is the difference between a kitchen remodel and a kitchen reno?

We use the terms interchangeably in Toronto. A kitchen remodel and a kitchen reno both mean replacing cabinets, counters, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and often appliances. A full remodel can also include moving walls, adding an island, or changing the layout entirely.

Do you work on condo kitchens?

Yes. We renovate kitchens in condos across the GTA, including downtown Toronto, Yonge corridor, and Mississauga's Square One area. Condo kitchens involve building management approval, elevator booking, and often plumbing stack constraints. See our condo kitchen renovation page for details.

Kitchen Renovation Toronto | Custom Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen renovation in Toronto is one of the most common projects we take on. Toronto homeowners renovate kitchens for two main reasons: the existing kitchen is from the 1980s or 1990s and feels closed in, or the layout no longer fits the family. We open up walls between the kitchen and the dining room, add islands where the floor plan supports it, and replace cabinets, counters, flooring, plumbing and electrical in one coordinated project.

Toronto Kitchens We Renovate

Toronto housing stock is mixed, and each home type comes with its own kitchen quirks. We work on:

Detached and semis (1900s to 1960s): Older galley kitchens with separate dining rooms. The most popular update is removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room for an open concept feel. Most of these homes need electrical updates because the existing panel cannot support modern appliance loads.
Post-war bungalows in Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke: Small kitchens in the 100 to 130 sq ft range. We often blow these out into the dining or living area to gain counter space and add an island.
Newer detached in Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill: Builder-grade kitchens that work but feel generic. Most clients keep the layout, replace cabinets and counters, upgrade appliances, and refinish hardwood floors.
Condos: Galley or U-shaped kitchens with limited cabinet depth and stack-locked plumbing. See our condo kitchen renovation page for what is and is not possible inside a Toronto condo.

Pricing for a Toronto Kitchen Renovation

Toronto kitchen reno pricing varies more than any other home renovation because cabinets, counters and appliances are the biggest line items and they all have wide price ranges. Here is what most projects come in at:

Cosmetic refresh: $20,000 to $30,000. New cabinet doors and drawer fronts, new counters, backsplash, sink, faucet and hardware. Existing cabinet boxes stay.
Mid-range full kitchen remodel: $35,000 to $60,000. New custom or semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, tile backsplash, plumbing fixtures, undercabinet lighting, paint. No layout change.
Layout change with island: $50,000 to $90,000. Wall removal (with engineering if load-bearing), relocated plumbing, new electrical, custom cabinets, island with seating, premium appliances.
High-end custom kitchen: $90,000 to $150,000+. Full custom millwork, integrated panel-ready appliances, premium stone, lighting design, hidden pantry.

For an itemized breakdown by component, see our kitchen renovation cost in Toronto page.

Our Kitchen Renovation Process

Every kitchen reno follows the same six steps so you always know what is happening that week.

Free in-home estimate. A project lead comes to your house, measures the kitchen, asks what you want changed, and follows up with a written itemized quote within 3 to 5 business days.
Design and selections. We meet with you to finalize the cabinet design, finish selections, counter slab, tile, hardware and appliance package. We use 3D renderings for layout changes.
Permits and ordering. If your project requires a permit (load-bearing wall removal, plumbing relocation, electrical panel work), we apply with the City of Toronto. Cabinets and stone are ordered.
Demolition and rough-in. We protect the rest of the house, demo the existing kitchen, and rough in plumbing and electrical. Inspections happen at this stage.
Cabinets, counters and finishes. Cabinets installed, counters templated and installed, backsplash tiled, paint, flooring, fixtures.
Final walkthrough. We clean the space, walk through with you, and address any punch list items. Workmanship warranty starts the day we hand the kitchen back.

Common Kitchen Reno Challenges in GTA Homes

Toronto homes throw curveballs once you open the walls. The most common issues:

Knob and tube wiring behind plaster walls in older homes. Insurance often requires this to be replaced when discovered.
Lead solder on copper plumbing in homes from the 1960s and earlier. Often replaced as part of a kitchen reno.
Out-of-square walls and floors in old houses. Cabinets need scribing and shimming so the finished work looks straight.
Asbestos in old vinyl flooring or duct insulation. If found, we stop work and bring in an abatement specialist before continuing.
Load-bearing walls between kitchen and dining room. Most Toronto two-storey homes have one. We engage a structural engineer for the beam design and pull a permit.

Kitchen Renovation Toronto: Working With Us

We are a small to mid-size general contractor that does roughly 12 to 20 kitchen projects per year alongside basement and bathroom work. We are not a kitchen showroom and we do not push a specific cabinet brand. We work with three semi-custom cabinet shops in the GTA depending on your budget and lead time, and we are happy to install cabinets you have already purchased if that is what you prefer.

For background on Toronto kitchen ventilation and electrical requirements, the Ontario Building Code covers minimum standards, and the CMHC renovation guide is a useful reference for budgeting and planning.