<- [Back to Examples Index](/llm/examples.md) # How much does a full kitchen renovation with additional appliances cost in Vancouver? ### Real Vancouver full kitchen renovation estimate A full gut kitchen renovation in a Vancouver detached house (built 1978-1990) was estimated at **$31,657 CAD** for the mandatory scope (range $25,300-$38,000). This estimate covers site protection and hydronic radiator safeguards, project management, building and trade permits, pre-1990 asbestos testing, full demolition of the existing cabinets, countertops, and tile flooring, subfloor assessment and leveling underlayment prep, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring installation, supply and installation of semi-custom plywood base and upper cabinets with hardware, fabrication and installation of a new quartz countertop with a matching 4-inch backsplash, plumbing rough-in and installation of a new dishwasher (new appliance addition), reconnection of the owner-supplied undermount kitchen sink and faucet, electrical rough-in and dedicated circuits for new appliances, modern track lighting and under-cabinet LED accent tape runs, installation of owner-supplied appliances (fridge, range, dishwasher, OTR microwave), wallpaper border removal, drywall patching and painting, and final cleanup with construction waste disposal. The appliances, sink, and faucet are owner-supplied; the cabinets, quartz counters, LVP flooring, light fixtures, and permit/connection parts are contractor-supplied. Three possible additions were kept separate from the mandatory scope: asbestos abatement, hydronic radiator repairs, and drywall skimming, each triggered only if conditions are discovered during demolition. --- ## Key Project Facts | Fact | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Location** | Vancouver, BC (East Vancouver, FSA V5K) | | **Property type** | Detached house, built 1978-1990 | | **Cabinets** | Contractor-supplied semi-custom plywood cabinetry | | **Countertops** | Quartz with matching 4-inch backsplash | | **Owner-supplied** | Fridge, range, dishwasher, OTR microwave, sink, faucet | | **Permits** | Building, plumbing, and electrical trade permits | | **Estimated project cost** | $31,657 CAD | | **Possible Additions** | Asbestos abatement, hydronic radiator repair, drywall skimming | --- ## Project Phases ### 1. Mobilization, permits, and asbestos survey - **Includes:** Site protection and hydronic radiator safeguards, project management, building permit administration and fees, and pre-1990 asbestos testing coordination. - **Why this phase matters:** Coordinates all trades, secures mandatory building and trade permits, and ensures safety compliance under WorkSafeBC guidelines before demolition. ### 2. Utility disconnects and demolition - **Includes:** Safe water, gas, and electric shutoffs, plumbing and electrical service disconnections, demolition and haulage of existing cabinets, countertops, and tile flooring down to the subfloor. - **Why this phase matters:** Safely disconnects utilities and clears the space to prepare for the structural and subfloor updates. ### 3. Subfloor prep and LVP flooring - **Includes:** Subfloor assessment, self-leveling underlayment compound application, and installation of contractor-supplied Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring around the radiator. - **Why this phase matters:** Ensures a perfectly level subfloor before LVP installation, preventing future squeaking or gapping in the flooring. ### 4. Cabinet supply and installation - **Includes:** Supply of contractor-supplied semi-custom plywood base and upper cabinets, cabinet hardware, and professional cabinet installation. - **Why this phase matters:** Mid-range semi-custom cabinets are the main material driver in this renovation, providing durable plywood construction and custom layout organization. ### 5. Quartz countertops and plumbing rough-in/install - **Includes:** Quartz countertop and matching 4-inch backsplash supply and installation, plumbing rough-in for the new dishwasher, municipal plumbing permit, undermount sink and faucet installation, and shut-off valves. - **Why this phase matters:** Countertops are templated to the cabinets, and adding a dishwasher requires dedicated plumbing lines and a permit. ### 6. Electrical, lighting, appliances, paint, and cleanup - **Includes:** Dedicated circuits and electrical rough-in, electrical permit, track and under-cabinet LED lighting runs, owner-supplied appliance installation, wallpaper border removal, patching and painting, and final post-construction cleanup. - **Why this phase matters:** Connects all appliances to code, adds functional lighting, paints the walls, and prepares the kitchen for immediate use. --- ## Cost Breakdown | Phase | Labour Cost | Material Cost | Total Cost | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Mobilization, permits, and asbestos survey** | $1,545.00 CAD | $875.00 CAD | $2,420.00 CAD | | **Utility disconnects and demolition** | $1,425.75 CAD | $475.00 CAD | $1,900.75 CAD | | **Subfloor prep and LVP flooring** | $1,586.00 CAD | $2,054.08 CAD | $3,640.08 CAD | | **Cabinet supply and installation** | $933.30 CAD | $10,824.00 CAD | $11,757.30 CAD | | **Quartz countertops and plumbing rough-in/install** | $1,279.65 CAD | $5,823.10 CAD | $7,102.75 CAD | | **Electrical, lighting, appliances, paint, and cleanup** | $3,646.50 CAD | $1,189.50 CAD | $4,836.00 CAD | | **Total estimated project cost** | **$10,416.20 CAD** | **$21,240.68 CAD** | **$31,656.88 CAD** | *Note: The mandatory scope totals $31,656.88 CAD, combining $10,416.20 in labour and $21,240.68 in contractor-supplied materials. Materials drive the cost due to semi-custom cabinetry ($10,824) and quartz countertops ($5,397.70), while the appliances, sink, and faucet are owner-supplied. Phase totals group the source line items into logical buckets.* --- ## Possible Price Changes - **Asbestos abatement:** Asbestos laboratory survey returns positive results for vinyl mastic or drywall joint compound. A hazmat abatement specialist removes and disposes of the materials safely. This example keeps that separate from the mandatory scope at approximately **$2,000-$3,000 CAD**. - **Hydronic radiator repairs:** Active radiator leakage or critical corrosion is discovered upon removing the protection. A plumber repairs or replaces hydronic radiator valves or piping. This example keeps that separate from the mandatory scope at approximately **$350-$550 CAD**. - **Drywall skimming:** Drywall border wallpaper removal severely damages the underlying drywall paper. A plasterer patches and skim-coats the drywall. This example keeps that separate from the mandatory scope at approximately **$275-$425 CAD**. - **Different scope or site conditions:** The homeowner opts for custom cabinets, gas appliance conversion, layout changes requiring structural walls removal, or different flooring. The scope would need a fresh estimate. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is $31,657 the average cost of a full kitchen renovation in Vancouver? No. It is the estimate RenoFiz produced for this specific 224 sqft kitchen with semi-custom cabinets, LVP flooring, quartz countertops, and owner-supplied appliances. Townhouses, condos, or homes with structural changes will vary. ### What was included in this estimate? The mandatory scope included asbestos testing, building and trade permits, demo of cabinetry, countertops, and tile flooring, subfloor leveling, LVP flooring, semi-custom cabinetry, quartz countertops and backsplash, dishwasher plumbing rough-in, sink/faucet install, electrical circuits, lighting runs, and painting. ### What was not included in the $31,657 mandatory scope? The estimate kept three possible additions separate: asbestos abatement ($2,000-$3,000), hydronic radiator repairs ($350-$550), and drywall skimming ($275-$425), totalling up to $3,300 CAD. The major appliances, sink, and faucet are owner-supplied. ### Does this page confirm current Vancouver permit rules or fees? No. The source estimate identifies electrical, plumbing, and building permits for this renovation and shows the permit fees as an allowance. Verify current requirements, fees, and authority details with the City of Vancouver before starting work. ### What does a professional still confirm before the work is booked? A general contractor and trade professionals confirm cabinet specifications, appliance specs, subfloor and hydronic radiator condition, electrical capacity, and final price before booking. ---