Kitchen renovations in Metro Vancouver range from $40,000 for a targeted refresh to $120,000 and above for a full custom gut renovation. The spread reflects real differences in scope, specification level, and whether the layout is changing — not markup variation between contractors.
This guide breaks that range into three tiers, identifies the decisions that move a project from one tier to the next, and explains how to read the line-item quotes that lenders and careful homeowners both need before a project starts.
For financing options alongside these cost figures, see how to finance a home renovation in Vancouver.
Cost by Tier
| Tier | Typical Budget | Defining Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $40,000-$65,000 | Layout unchanged, semi-custom cabinetry, quartz countertop |
| Mid-range | $65,000-$90,000 | Minor layout adjustment possible, stone countertop, new circuits |
| Premium | $90,000-$120,000+ | Custom millwork, natural stone, integrated appliances, structural work |
Entry: $40,000 to $65,000
An entry-tier kitchen renovation in Metro Vancouver keeps the existing layout. No walls move, no plumbing relocates to a new position. The cabinet configuration stays. You are replacing the surfaces: new cabinet boxes or refaced doors, new countertop, new backsplash tile, new fixtures, and updated lighting.
What is included at this tier:
- Demolition and disposal of existing surfaces
- Stock or semi-custom cabinetry (IKEA Sektion, Fabuwood, Cabico entry line)
- Engineered quartz countertop (Silestone, Caesarstone entry)
- Standard backsplash tile (3x6 subway or 4x4 square)
- New sink, faucet, and dishwasher connection
- Updated lighting fixtures and switches
- Plumbing and electrical reconnection at existing rough-in locations
What it excludes at this tier:
- Layout changes (island addition, wall removal, window relocation)
- Structural modifications
- Appliance purchase (typically client-supplied)
- Flooring beyond the kitchen footprint
A permit is required whenever plumbing or electrical is being moved or new circuits added. Most entry-tier kitchen renovations in Vancouver require a permit. The permit process runs 4 to 8 weeks and is included in the project scope at this price level.
Mid-Range: $65,000 to $90,000
The mid-range tier opens up minor layout changes and specification upgrades. Moving the sink to an island, adding a pot filler rough-in, and assessing walls for removal are within scope. New dedicated electrical circuits for appliances are budgeted in.
What moves a project into mid-range:
- Semi-custom cabinetry (Cabico mid-line, Wolf, Dura Supreme) with soft-close hardware, dovetail drawers, and interior fittings
- Natural stone countertop — quartz at premium brands or larger slabs, granite and quartzite enter at this tier
- Under-cabinet lighting wired into the circuit (not plug-in)
- Island addition where the footprint allows
- New dedicated circuits for refrigerator, dishwasher, or microwave
- Full-height backsplash tile to the upper cabinet line or to ceiling on a feature wall
Layout changes at mid-range are minor. Moving the sink 12 to 18 inches to center under a new window is achievable. Relocating to an opposite wall belongs in the premium tier.
Premium: $90,000 to $120,000+
Premium kitchen renovations involve custom millwork, high-specification materials, and often structural work. Layout changes are fully budgeted. The design is built around the space and client brief, not adapted from a standard manufacturer configuration.
What defines premium tier:
- Custom cabinetry fabricated to the room dimensions (no filler strips, no manufacturer standard box sizes)
- Natural stone countertop at premium specification: book-matched quartzite, full slabs with no seams on primary runs, thick-edge profiles
- Panel-ready or integrated appliances (Miele, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Fisher and Paykel)
- Structural changes: steel beam installation to remove load-bearing walls, window relocation, ceiling height changes
- Plumbing fully relocated: island with prep sink, pot filler, bar sink
- Custom range hood millwork
- Specialized storage systems and drawer organization
Projects above $120,000 combine structural changes with a high-specification material package.
What Drives Kitchen Renovation Costs
Layout Changes
A layout change is the single biggest cost variable in a kitchen renovation. Moving a sink from the perimeter to an island requires new drain rough-in (potentially through a concrete slab if on-grade), new supply lines, and vent pipe extension. Plumbing for a sink relocation typically adds $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the existing rough-in location and slab conditions.
Removing a wall to open the kitchen to the living or dining area requires a structural assessment. If the wall is load-bearing, a beam is required. A steel beam installation in Metro Vancouver runs $8,000 to $18,000 depending on span and bearing point complexity.
Keeping the existing layout saves real money. If the cabinet configuration works for the household, working within it is almost always the right call.
Cabinetry Grade
Cabinetry is typically 30 to 40 percent of a kitchen renovation budget. The difference between stock, semi-custom, and custom millwork is significant.
Stock cabinetry (IKEA Sektion, Home Depot in-stock lines) uses standard box sizes and a limited door selection. It finishes well with the right hardware and countertop and is structurally adequate for most kitchens.
Semi-custom allows modifications to box depth, height, and door profiles within a manufacturer's system. Lead time is 4 to 8 weeks. Quality is consistent and the finish range is wide.
Custom millwork is built to the exact dimensions of the room. Every corner, soffit, and ceiling height variation is addressed. Lead time is 8 to 14 weeks. Unit cost is higher but the fit is exact.
Countertop Material
Countertop material is the second most visible specification decision. Engineered quartz (Caesarstone, Silestone, Cambria) is durable, non-porous, and consistent in appearance. It is the standard choice from $40K to $85K.
Natural stone — granite, quartzite, marble — adds 20 to 40 percent to the countertop line item over comparable quartz. Quartzite is harder and more suitable for kitchen use than marble. The appearance of natural stone varies slab to slab; viewing the actual slab before purchase is important.
Countertop fabrication in Metro Vancouver typically runs $85 to $120 per square foot installed for engineered quartz and $120 to $200 per square foot for natural stone, depending on edge profile and cutout complexity.
Reading a Line-Item Quote
A kitchen renovation quote broken down by trade allows comparison, accurate budgeting, and financing approval. The trades in a kitchen renovation are:
- Demolition and disposal
- Carpentry (cabinetry installation, blocking, framing modifications)
- Plumbing (rough-in and trim-out)
- Electrical (panel circuits, rough-in, fixtures)
- Tile (backsplash and floor if in scope)
- Countertop fabrication and installation
- Painting
- Project management and general conditions
A lump-sum quote with no trade breakdown is an estimate, not a quote. Lenders financing a renovation via HELOC or mortgage refinance need a line-item breakdown by trade to approve funds. A line-item quote also makes every change-order cost transparent throughout the project.
Vancouver Permit Requirements
A kitchen renovation permit is required in Vancouver whenever plumbing is moved or electrical circuits are added. Permits for kitchen renovations run 4 to 8 weeks from application in the City of Vancouver. Burnaby and Richmond track similarly.
Unpermitted kitchen work creates disclosure obligations at the time of sale under BC real estate law. Lenders financing through a HELOC or renovation mortgage may require a permit number before releasing funds. The permit is not optional for any gut renovation in Vancouver.
See the full kitchen renovation service page for scope detail and the pricing guide for all service ranges. To get a line-item quote, start here.