How much does a full kitchen renovation cost in a Toronto townhouse?

Hi there! I'm Chris, and I'll be running this kitchen renovation with you.

From your photo, I see a classic, cozy kitchen with flat-panel oak-veneer cabinets, white laminate counters, and white appliances — a built-in wall oven and a top-freezer fridge. It's got some character, too: curtains under the sink instead of cabinet doors, and a painted drywall backsplash.

To give you a reliable estimate, I like to walk the job the way I would with a clipboard in your kitchen. For a "full renovation," here's the full scope, and to make sure nothing gets missed we'll go through it in order of trade complexity (biggest and most complex first):

1. Cabinets & Layout (reconfiguring or replacing uppers and lowers, adjusting the cabinet lines)
2. Appliances (fitting new appliances and running services like water or dedicated circuits)
3. Countertops, Sink & Faucet (laminate demo, templating/installing new stone or laminate, and under-sink plumbing)
4. Flooring (pulling the old floor, prepping the subfloor, laying new material)
5. Tile Backsplash (adding a splash on the bare drywall)
6. Electrical & Lighting (bringing outlets to code-required GFCI, swapping the main light, or adding under-cabinet LED runs)
7. Walls & Paint (finishing, patching, and painting any disturbed drywall)

Before we dig into the first section (Cabinets & Layout), I need a few basics about your home so we account for local permit rules, building codes, and safety requirements. A few quick questions:

Question: What is your postal code?

Question: Are we fully replacing everything shown — cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, lighting — and adding a tile backsplash?

• Yes — replace everything shown
• Replace most items but keep a few
• I've got a custom list of what to change

Question: Roughly how old is your home, and what's the property type?

• Single-family house — built pre-1990
• Single-family house — built 1990 or newer
• Condo or apartment — built pre-1990
• Condo or apartment — built 1990 or newer
• Townhouse — built pre-1990
• Townhouse — built 1990 or newer

Question: Do you have rough measurements for the cabinet/countertop runs, or should I estimate them from the photo?

• I can provide measurements
• Please estimate the dimensions off the photo
• Not sure yet

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Photos that would help If you have other angles — especially where the cooktop or range sits, the floor transition to other rooms, or a wider layout shot — upload them below!

Thanks! Since your townhouse is 1990 or newer, we don't have to deal with mandatory pre-1990 hazardous-materials testing (asbestos or lead) — good news that keeps the timeline clean.

From the photo and a standard 25" layout depth, here are my baseline quantity estimates:

• Base (Lower) Cabinets: ~16 linear feet (including corners)
• Upper Cabinets: ~18 linear feet (including the uppers above the fridge and oven)
• Tall Oven Cabinet: 1 unit (~2.5 feet wide)
• Countertops: ~34 square feet
• Flooring: ~50 square feet (estimated walkable area)
• Backsplash Tile: ~24 square feet (assuming a standard 18" height above the counters)

To start the walkthrough, we'll tackle the most complex items first: Cabinets and Appliances. Let's firm up the specs:

Question: What grade/quality of cabinets are you thinking about?

• Standard stock cabinets — budget-friendly, fixed sizes
• Mid-range semi-custom — a good balance of cost and design
• Premium custom cabinets — fully tailored, maximum options

Question: Who's sourcing the cabinets and hardware?

• Owner-supplied — I buy them from a retailer/manufacturer and you install
• Contractor-supplied — you source and provide standard or mid-range cabinet lines

Question: Keeping the current layout exactly — wall oven on the right, sink in the middle — but adding standard cabinet doors under the sink to replace the curtains?

• Yes — keep the exact layout, with standard cabinet doors under the sink
• Tweak the layout a bit (e.g., move appliances or change cabinet runs)
• Design a completely new layout

Question: Let's list your appliances. Which are we replacing: Fridge, Wall Oven, Cooktop (where is it?), Dishwasher (is there one?), and Range Hood/OTR Microwave? Who supplies them?

• Owner-supplied — replacing fridge, wall oven, cooktop, and dishwasher (if any)
• Owner-supplied — replacing just the fridge and wall oven (no cooktop/dishwasher)
• I've a different appliance list/ want to keep some existing ones

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Photos that would help Close-ups of the under-sink plumbing, the wall-oven electrical connections, or where the cooktop sits would be a big help as we refine the scope!

Got it! We'll keep the exact layout, with standard wood stock cabinets (which we'll supply) in place of the existing ones, plus standard cabinet doors under the sink for a clean, finished look instead of the curtains. Your appliances (fridge, wall oven, cooktop, and dishwasher) are owner-supplied.

You also noted the backsplash should be 4" tall, not a full-height tile splash.

To lock in the next items — Countertops, Flooring, and Lighting/Electrical — a few quick questions:

Question: Which material are you considering for the new countertops?

• Laminate — budget-friendly and very durable
• Quartz — premium engineered stone, seamless, very popular
• Granite — natural stone with unique patterns

Question: Is the 4" backsplash a matching strip of the countertop material, or a 4" tall tile backsplash?

• A matching strip of the countertop material (e.g. a 4" quartz or laminate lip)
• A 4" tall tile backsplash — needs a tile setter

Question: For the sink and faucet: drop-in or undermount, and who supplies them?

• Owner-supplied — drop-in sink and faucet (works with any countertop)
• Owner-supplied — undermount sink and faucet (needs quartz/granite)
• Contractor-supplied — a standard drop-in sink and faucet

Question: For the flooring: which material, and who supplies it?

• Owner-supplied Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)/ laminate — highly recommended for kitchens
• Contractor-supplied Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)/ laminate
• Tile flooring (ceramic or porcelain) — needs tile subfloor prep

Question: For lighting: swap the central ceiling light in the same spot, or add recessed pot lights? Who supplies the fixtures?

• Owner-supplied central fixture — a simple swap
• Add recessed pot lights (usually 4-6) — needs electrical rough-in
• Owner-supplied central fixture plus under-cabinet LED tape lights

This is really coming together! Cabinets are set (standard wood stock, supplied by us), and your countertop pick (quartz with a matching 4" quartz splash) and flooring (owner-supplied LVP) are locked in. You'll also supply your own undermount sink and faucet, which we'll install for you.

To make sure the infrastructure and safety pieces are lined up for the trades (electrician, plumber, gas fitter if needed), a couple of technical questions:

Question: Are your cooktop and wall oven electric or gas?

• Both electric
• Gas cooktop, electric wall oven
• Both gas

Question: Is a range hood or over-the-range (OTR) microwave being replaced above the cooktop, and does it vent outside?

• Yes — replacing a standard range hood that vents outside
• Yes — replacing an OTR microwave/hood that vents outside
• Yes, but it recirculates (no exterior ducting)
• No range hood/ OTR microwave in scope

Question: Since your townhouse is about 30 years old, the under-sink shutoff valves and supply lines are probably original. Replace them with new quarter-turn shutoffs and braided supplies?

• Yes — replace the shutoff valves and supply lines (highly recommended)
• No — reuse the existing valves

Question: Does your townhouse condo corporation require a formal renovation approval, security deposit, or proof of contractor insurance (COI)?

• Yes — condo-board approval and COI are required
• No — condo-board approval isn't required
• Not sure — please include basic condo-board coordination to be safe

Your project estimate

Project summary

Full kitchen renovation in a post-1990 Toronto townhouse. Contractor-supplied standard stock cabinetry and quartz counters with a matching 4-inch splash; the appliances (all electric), flooring, sink, faucet, and central light are owner-supplied. Condo-board approval and COI are required, and the executing trades pull the plumbing and electrical permits.

Estimate range

$14,895 - $22,395 This is a starting ballpark, not a final price.

Estimated work

Item	Details	Range
Condo-Board Application & Coordination	Coordinate the condo-corporation renovation application, paperwork, and COI submission with building management.	$145 - $240
Site Protection & Setup	Set up protection in the common areas, hallways, and inside the townhouse.	$95 - $190
Project Management & Trade Coordination	Run the trade sequencing, scheduling, logistics, and site operations for the remodel.	$380 - $570
Coordinate the Multi-Trade Permits	Coordinate and sequence the multi-trade electrical and plumbing permits.	$95 - $190
Municipal Permit Fee Allowance	Cover the municipal building and trade permit fees.	$325 - $525
Disconnect Sink, Faucet & Dishwasher Plumbing	Disconnect the kitchen sink plumbing, drainage, faucet, and dishwasher.	$71 - $145
Swap Under-Sink Shutoff Valves	Supply and fit new quarter-turn shutoff valves under the kitchen sink.	$98 - $170
Provide New Braided Supply Lines	Supply braided water lines.	$25 - $45
Disconnect the Electrical	Disconnect the electric cooktop, wall oven, range hood, and central light.	$99 - $170
Cabinet, Countertop & Floor Demolition	Demo and remove the existing cabinetry, countertops, and floor coverings.	$475 - $715
Waste Bin & Cleanup	Supply the waste bin and prep the site for final cleanup.	$495 - $835
Prep & Lay Owner-Supplied Flooring	Prep the subfloor and install the owner-supplied LVP or laminate.	$120 - $190
Provide Stock Base Cabinets	Supply the stock base cabinets.	$2,500 - $3,900
Provide Stock Upper Cabinets	Supply the stock upper cabinets.	$2,300 - $3,500
Provide Stock Tall Oven Cabinet	Supply the stock tall oven cabinet box.	$400 - $600
Provide Basic Cabinet Hardware	Supply the cabinet pulls and knobs.	$150 - $250
Install the Cabinets	Install the stock base, upper, and tall oven cabinets.	$905 - $1,430
Provide Quartz Counter & Backsplash	Supply the quartz countertop slabs and matching 4-inch backsplashes.	$3,400 - $5,200
Install Quartz Counter & Backsplash	Install the quartz counters, backsplashes, and undermount cutout.	$335 - $525
Install Owner-Supplied Undermount Sink & Faucet	Install the owner-supplied undermount sink and kitchen faucet.	$335 - $545
Owner-Supplied Faucet	Owner supplies the faucet.	$0 - $0
Reconnect Dishwasher & Under-Sink Drain	Reconnect the dishwasher, basket strainer, and trap drainage.	$145 - $240
Provide PVC P-Trap Kit	Supply the PVC P-trap kit.	$12 - $18
Plumbing Permit Filing & Inspections	Coordinate the plumbing permit application and book inspections.	$240 - $380
Install Owner-Supplied Oven & Cooktop	Install the owner-supplied electric wall oven and electric cooktop.	$195 - $320
Owner-Supplied Cooktop	Owner supplies the cooktop.	$0 - $0
Owner-Supplied Range Hood	Owner supplies the range hood.	$0 - $0
Install Owner-Supplied Range Hood & Ceiling Light	Install the owner-supplied range hood and ceiling light fixture.	$220 - $370
Upgrade Counter Outlets to GFCI	Install new GFCI-protected outlets along the counters.	$150 - $250
Electrical Permit Filing & Inspections	Coordinate the electrical permit application and book inspections.	$220 - $370
Prep & Paint Walls & Ceiling	Prep, patch, and paint the kitchen walls and ceiling.	$445 - $750
Provide Ceiling Paint	Supply the ceiling paint.	$30 - $50
Fit & Paint Baseboards	Install and paint the MDF baseboards.	$72 - $120
Provide Trim/Baseboard Paint	Supply the baseboard and trim paint.	$8 - $14

Cost summary

Category	Range
Materials	$9,900 - $15,000
Labour	$4,900 - $7,490
Total	$14,895 - $22,395

What is included

• Protect flooring, shared hallways, and non-work areas from dust/debris. Coordinate the condo-corporation paperwork, elevator protection, and COI as needed.
• Disconnect the sink plumbing, drain, and dishwasher, and replace the worn under-sink shutoff valves and supply lines.
• Disconnect the electric cooktop, built-in electric wall oven, range hood, and central light.
• Demolish and remove the existing upper cabinets, base cabinets, tall oven cabinet, laminate counters, and flooring, and haul the debris away.
• Prep the subfloor and lay the owner-supplied Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) / laminate.
• Rough in and install the new contractor-supplied standard wood stock base cabinets, uppers, and tall wall-oven cabinet, including door/drawer fronts and hinges under the sink.
• Template and set the new quartz counters with the undermount sink cutout and the matching 4" quartz backsplash strip along the rear and side edges.
• Install the owner-supplied undermount sink and faucet, and reconnect the drain, dishwasher, and water supply lines under the sink.
• Install the owner-supplied electric wall oven, cooktop, and standard range hood (vented outside). Swap the central ceiling light and upgrade the counter outlets to GFCI-protected units.
• Prep, patch, prime, and paint the kitchen walls, ceiling, and trim, and fit new baseboards to match the new floor.

Permits or inspections

Item	Why it may be needed
Electrical Trade Permit	Required for the appliance disconnects/reconnects, central light swap, range-hood electrical, and the counter GFCI upgrades.
Plumbing Trade Permit	Required to disconnect and reconnect the undermount sink, faucet, and dishwasher, and to replace the under-sink shutoff valves.

Possible add-ons

These items are not included in the estimate range above. They may change after an on-site review.

Item	Trade	Possible range	What would confirm it
Repair water damage or rot on the subfloor if it's found after the old floor comes up.	Flooring Specialist	$350 - $550	Subfloor rot or water damage turns up after the flooring demo.
Patch, block, and repair badly damaged drywall found behind the existing cabinetry during demo.	General Contractor	$275 - $425	Deep drywall damage or mould appears when the old cabinets come off.

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You can keep chatting to ask questions or adjust the project — and when you're ready, a real professional will confirm the details and discuss final pricing with you, typically after seeing the space in person.

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