Short answer, from our own quotes this year: a budget kitchen in Metro Vancouver lands around $15,000 to $30,000, a mid-range kitchen around $30,000 to $75,000, and a high-end kitchen from $75,000 to $150,000 and up. All prices are Canadian dollars and include cabinets, countertops, installation and the trades. Appliances are extra unless we say otherwise.
That’s a wide spread. The rest of this guide explains what puts a kitchen in one band or another, so you can figure out where yours is likely to land before you call anyone.
We’ve been building kitchens in Burnaby, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland since 2006, and these numbers come from what we actually quote, updated for 2026.
2026 kitchen renovation costs in Vancouver
| Tier | Typical range (CAD, 2026) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $15,000 – $30,000 | Same layout. New cabinets in thermofoil or laminate, laminate or entry-level quartz counters, new sink and faucet, backsplash. No wall or plumbing moves. |
| Mid-range | $30,000 – $75,000 | Layout changes, usually opening a wall or adding an island. Painted MDF or hardwood cabinets, quartz counters, new lighting, some plumbing and electrical work, permit. |
| High-end | $75,000 – $150,000+ | Full gut. Custom hardwood or veneer cabinetry, walk-in pantry, large island, stone or premium quartz, integrated appliances, new flooring, structural changes. |
Where a kitchen lands depends on three things more than anything else: whether the layout changes, what the cabinets are made of, and the appliances.
What moves the price
Layout. Keeping the sink, range and fridge where they are is the single biggest saving. Moving plumbing or gas, or taking out a wall, adds trades, a permit and usually an engineer’s letter. That alone can push a kitchen from the budget band into mid-range.
Cabinets. In most kitchens the cabinets are 30 to 50 percent of the bill. Thermofoil and laminate doors are the least expensive. Painted MDF shaker doors sit in the middle. Solid hardwood, rift-cut oak or walnut veneer, and inset doors are at the top. We build all of these in our Burnaby workshop, so the difference is the material and the labour, not a middleman.
Countertops. Laminate is cheapest. Quartz is the standard choice now and covers a wide price range depending on the brand and pattern. Granite and marble cost more and need more care.
Appliances. A basic appliance package can be under $5,000. Integrated or panel-ready appliances can be $20,000 or more, and they need cabinets built to fit them.
Electrical and lighting. Older Vancouver and Burnaby houses often need a panel upgrade or new circuits to meet current code once you open the walls.
Condition of the house. Vancouver Specials, pre-war character homes and anything with a previous DIY renovation tend to hide surprises. We allow for that in mid-range and high-end quotes.
Permits in Vancouver and Burnaby
Replacing cabinets and countertops in the same layout doesn’t need a permit. Moving walls, plumbing, gas or electrical does. In Vancouver that goes through the Development and Building Services Centre at 515 West 10th Avenue. In Burnaby it’s the Building Division at City Hall, 4949 Canada Way. Permit and inspection fees are a small part of the total, but the work they trigger (engineering, code upgrades) is not. We include the permit application and inspections in our quotes.
How to keep a kitchen renovation on budget
Keep the layout if you can. Spend on cabinets and counters, which you touch every day, before spending on the things you don’t. Get your appliances chosen before the cabinets are designed, because the cabinets have to fit them. And get a fixed quote from someone who has seen the house, not a per-square-foot number from a website. Including this one.
Related guides
- Bathroom renovation cost in Vancouver (2026)
- Kitchen cabinet design and cost guide
- Custom kitchens by Aero Kitchen & Bath
Get a real number for your kitchen
We’ll come to your home anywhere in Metro Vancouver, measure, and give you a fixed quote at no charge. Call 604-559-8080 or send us your details.
Frequently asked questions
What’s a realistic budget for a kitchen renovation in Vancouver in 2026?
Budget kitchens run $15,000 to $30,000, mid-range $30,000 to $75,000, and high-end $75,000 to $150,000 and up, in Canadian dollars, based on Aero’s 2026 quotes.
What’s the cheapest way to renovate a kitchen?
Keep the layout, choose thermofoil or laminate doors and laminate counters, and keep your existing appliances if they work.
Do I need a permit to renovate my kitchen in Vancouver?
Not for a like-for-like cabinet and counter swap. You do if you move walls, plumbing, gas or electrical.
How much of the cost is cabinets?
Usually 30 to 50 percent of the total.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Four to eight weeks, from the start of work to the finished kitchen.