Kitchen renovation across Toronto and the GTA
YAREX renovates kitchens from our base in Etobicoke — galley kitchens in century semis, closed-off kitchens in 1950s bungalows, and condo kitchens rebuilt within board rules. One contract covers design coordination, demolition, structural work, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, counters, tile and paint. Our Lakeview Kitchen project is typical of the work: a full gut, a removed partition wall, and custom cabinetry to the ceiling.
How the work runs
Every project starts with a free on-site estimate and a fixed written scope. If the layout stays put, no building permit is needed and we move straight to ordering. If a load-bearing wall comes out or plumbing relocates, we prepare drawings and file a building permit with the City of Toronto before demolition. Electrical work is filed with the ESA and inspected. Cabinet lead times, typically six to ten weeks, set the schedule, so we order early and demolish late. On-site work runs four to eight weeks: demolition, rough-in, inspections, drywall, cabinet install, counters, tile and finishing.
Older Toronto housing stock brings predictable surprises. Knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply lines, and out-of-square framing show up often in pre-war semis. We flag these risks in the estimate rather than in a change order halfway through.
What it costs
Most full kitchen renovations land between $40,000 and $75,000 in 2026; a budget refresh in the existing layout runs $25,000 to $40,000. Three things drive the number: cabinetry (stock, semi-custom, or full custom), layout changes (moving walls, gas, or drains), and finishes (laminate versus quartz or stone, tile scope, appliance package). A same-layout renovation with semi-custom cabinets sits in the middle of the range. Full custom millwork with structural changes starts around $80,000 and passes $150,000 on large or complex projects. We quote fixed prices with allowances stated line by line, plus HST.
Why YAREX
We are licensed and insured, and we run renovation and restoration under one roof — so we know exactly what water does behind a kitchen wall and how to prevent it. Our Clean Worksite Promise means dust barriers up, floors protected, and a broom-clean site every day. Estimates are free. Call (416) 358-2059 or visit us at 6 Hagersville Ct, Etobicoke.
Kitchen Renovation — questions
01How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Toronto?
Most full kitchen renovations in Toronto land between $40,000 and $75,000 in 2026. A budget refresh in the existing layout runs $25,000 to $40,000. Moving walls, relocating plumbing, and full custom cabinetry push projects to $80,000–$150,000+. Cabinetry is usually the single largest line item, often 30–40% of the budget. All quotes are subject to 13% HST.
02Do I need a permit to renovate my kitchen in Toronto?
Not for a like-for-like update — new cabinets, counters and fixtures in the same locations need no building permit. You do need a City of Toronto building permit if you remove or alter a load-bearing wall, change the structure, or move plumbing significantly. Electrical work must be filed with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). YAREX handles permit applications and drawings as part of the project.
03How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Four to eight weeks on site for most kitchens once materials are in hand. Custom cabinetry lead times of 6–10 weeks usually drive the overall schedule, so we order cabinets before demolition starts. Structural changes or permit review add two to four weeks up front.
04Can you open up a kitchen wall in an older Toronto house?
Usually, yes. Century semis and 1950s bungalows almost always have load-bearing walls between kitchen and dining room. That means an engineered beam, a permit, and inspections under the Ontario Building Code. It is routine work, but it must be designed and inspected — budget roughly $8,000 to $20,000 for the structural portion.
05Is a kitchen renovation worth it for resale?
Kitchens consistently return more at resale than most other renovations in the GTA. A mid-range renovation typically recovers a large share of its cost, and dated kitchens measurably slow sales. Renovate to the level of the street — a $100,000 kitchen in a $900,000 semi rarely pays back in full.
