<- [Back to Examples Index](/llm/examples.md) # How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in Vancouver? ### Kitchen Renovation Cost Guide — Vancouver Generic cost ranges don't tell you why one kitchen project costs $6,700 and another costs $31,600. This guide compares two real, itemized RenoFiz estimates for Vancouver kitchen projects — a cosmetic cabinet and countertop refresh and a full gut renovation with new semi-custom cabinetry and appliances — so you can see how a scoped, itemized estimate is built for two different projects. A vague range like "$15,000 to $60,000" doesn't tell you anything about your specific kitchen. RenoFiz builds a scoped, itemized estimate for every project, so instead of a guess, you get two real Vancouver projects — one cosmetic refresh, one full renovation — with every line item shown. Below are two real RenoFiz estimates for Vancouver kitchen projects: a cosmetic refresh with cabinet painting and new countertops, and a full gut renovation with new cabinetry, appliances, and flooring. They show two very different project types — and how RenoFiz builds a custom, itemized estimate around your actual scope, not a generic range. --- ## The Two Projects Compared | Comparison | Smaller project: Kitchen cosmetic refresh | Larger project: Full kitchen renovation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Property type** | Detached house | Detached house | | **Kitchen scope** | Cosmetic refresh (Cabinet spray painting, quartz countertop, new sink, faucet, electric range, pre-1990 asbestos survey) | Full gut renovation (224 sqft, semi-custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, new dishwasher rough-in, LVP flooring, LED track and under-cabinet lighting, permits, asbestos testing) | | **Existing flooring** | Kept as-is | Narrow-plank hardwood (replaced) | | **New flooring** | None | Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) | | **Total project cost** | $6,693.16 CAD | $31,656.88 CAD | Two project types — yours will be different. --- ## What Vancouver Homeowners Should Know - **Permits for kitchen renovations in Vancouver:** Full kitchen renovations involving structural changes, new electrical circuits, or plumbing modifications require building, electrical, and plumbing permits in Vancouver. Cosmetic-only refreshes (painting, countertops, same-footprint) typically do not. - **Pre-1990 asbestos testing:** Homes built before 1990 in BC may trigger mandatory hazardous material testing before disturbing flooring, countertops, adhesives, or wall texture. Budget $400–$750 for testing and up to $3,000 for abatement if materials test positive. - **Cabinet lead times are significant:** Semi-custom and custom cabinetry typically takes 4–8 weeks from order to delivery. Factor this into your renovation timeline — especially if your kitchen will be out of service. - **Appliance coordination:** Adding or relocating appliances (dishwasher, range, fridge) requires new electrical circuits, plumbing rough-ins, and potentially gas lines. Owner-supplied appliances shift more cost to labour; contractor-supplied includes material markup. - **The hidden costs in older Vancouver homes:** Post-war Vancouver homes (1940s–1980s) frequently hide surprises behind walls and under floors: asbestos in tile and texture, outdated wiring, galvanized plumbing, or rot from historical leaks. Budget a 10–15% contingency. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is $6,693 or $31,657 the average cost of a kitchen renovation in Vancouver? No. These are two real, specific RenoFiz estimates shown to illustrate two different project types, not the low and high bound of every kitchen renovation. Your own project's cost depends on room size, layout changes, cabinetry grade, countertop materials, appliance requirements, permits, and building type. ### Why is there a gap between the two kitchen estimates? The smaller project is a cosmetic refresh that spray-paints the existing cabinet boxes and visible frames, replaces laminate countertops with quartz, and installs an owner-supplied range and sink. The larger project is a full gut renovation of a 224 sqft kitchen with brand new semi-custom plywood cabinetry, LVP flooring, quartz countertops, new electrical circuits, plumbing rough-in for a new dishwasher, trade permits, and full painting. ### What does a professional still confirm before work is booked? A contractor or trade professional confirms exact cabinet measurements, appliance specs, subfloor and walls condition, electrical panel capacity, plumbing access, permits, and final price before booking. ### What can change the estimate after demolition starts? Asbestos presence, water damage, rot in structural framing, electrical panel upgrades, strata rules, utility connection surprises, and different material selections can all change the final project scope. --- ## Get a Custom Estimate for Your Project Your kitchen project will have its own scope and cost. Describe your project and upload photos so Chris can build an estimate around your layout, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and site conditions. - [Start My Free Estimate](/wa/vancouver-home-renovation-estimate) - [See interactive version of this page](/wa/guides/kitchen-renovation-cost-vancouver) - [Kitchen cosmetic refresh — full estimate](/llm/examples/how-much-does-a-kitchen-cosmetic-refresh-cost-in-vancouver.md) - [Full kitchen renovation — full estimate](/llm/examples/how-much-does-a-full-kitchen-renovation-with-additional-appliances-cost-in-vancouver.md) - [View other detailed estimates](/llm/examples.md)