Planning ranges
| Scope | Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $25,000 – $40,000 | Cabinet refacing or stock cabinets, new counters, backsplash, fixtures, existing layout |
| Mid-range | $45,000 – $75,000 | Full cabinet replacement, quartz counters, new flooring, lighting, minor plumbing and electrical updates |
| High-end custom | $80,000 – $150,000+ | Custom cabinetry, layout changes, structural work, premium appliances, integrated millwork |
Source guide updated 2026-08-20. Confirm the current scope and pricing in your estimate.
What changes the cost?
Layout changes
Moving plumbing or gas adds $5,000–$15,000
Permits
City of Toronto permits for structural, plumbing, or electrical changes add $500–$2,000 plus drawings
Structural work
Removing a load-bearing wall for an open-concept kitchen adds $8,000–$20,000 with engineering
Materials
Cabinetry alone spans $8,000 stock to $50,000+ custom, and counters range $40–$200 per square foot
Condo vs house
Condo board approvals, elevator booking, and restricted work hours add 10–20% to labour
HST
Ontario's 13% HST applies to labour and materials — a $60,000 quote becomes roughly $67,800
What each tier actually includes
A budget refresh keeps everything where it is. Cabinets are refaced or replaced with stock units. Counters, backsplash, sink and faucet are new. Flooring may stay. This is the $25,000–$40,000 kitchen, and it works well when the existing layout already functions.
Mid-range is the most common Toronto project. Everything comes out. New cabinets, quartz counters, tile, flooring, lighting and updated plumbing and electrical within the same footprint. Typical GTA ranges in 2026 sit between $45,000 and $75,000.
High-end custom starts around $80,000. That budget covers custom cabinetry, layout changes, an island with services run to it, premium appliances, and often structural work to open the space. Large or complex projects exceed $150,000.
What drives cost in Toronto specifically
Toronto pricing is not just materials plus labour. Permits through the City of Toronto are required for structural, plumbing stack, or new electrical work, and drawings add time and cost. Condo projects carry board approvals, insurance certificates, elevator bookings, and restricted hours — expect 10–20% more labour cost than the same kitchen in a house.
Older homes carry their own risks. Houses built before the 1950s often have knob-and-tube wiring that must be replaced before an ESA inspection will pass. Homes from the asbestos era may have materials in plaster, flooring, or duct wrap that require controlled removal. None of this shows up in a quote until walls are open, which is why contingency matters.
How to budget
Start with the tier that matches your scope, then add three things. First, contingency: 10–15% held back for what the walls reveal. Second, HST: Ontario’s 13% applies to the full project, and most quotes exclude it. Third, temporary costs — eating out or a temporary kitchen setup for four to eight weeks is real money.
If you are financing, a secured line of credit is usually the cheapest route for a project this size. Get financing approved before you sign, not after.
When the cheap quote is the expensive one
A quote 25–30% below the others is rarely a bargain. It usually means no permit, no ESA electrical inspection, allowances that get “adjusted” mid-project, or a crew that disappears when the deposit clears. Unpermitted structural or electrical work can also surface at resale and cost far more to correct than it saved. Compare quotes line by line: if one is missing demolition, disposal, or electrical, it is not cheaper — it is incomplete.
Getting a fixed YAREX estimate
YAREX Renovation & Restoration is a licensed and insured contractor serving Etobicoke and the GTA. We walk the space, confirm what permits apply, flag age-of-home risks up front, and give you a written, itemized estimate — free, with no obligation. You will know your number before demolition starts, not after.
Planning the work
See what the kitchen renovation service includes, how the work runs and what to ask before you start.
Kitchen Renovation in Toronto & Etobicoke