Kitchen Renovation & Remodeling in BC
Custom cabinets, smart layouts, stone counters, and full permit-handled remodels across Greater Vancouver.
A kitchen renovation — or remodel, whichever word you use — is the highest-ROI room in your home and also the trickiest to get right. The plumbing, the electrical, the cabinetry, the appliances, and the layout all have to coordinate, and a single mistake in cabinet measurements can push your timeline by three weeks. Renew Co Contracting handles kitchen renovations across British Columbia, with most of our work concentrated in Vancouver and the surrounding municipalities. Whether you're updating a 1990s Burnaby galley kitchen, opening up a Vancouver Special's wall to the dining room, or building a chef's kitchen from scratch in a West Vancouver new build, we manage every trade and every permit.
Typical project investment
| Project type | Investment (CAD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (cabinet refacing, counters, paint) | $15,000 – $30,000 | 2 – 3 weeks |
| Mid-range full renovation (new cabinets, appliances) | $45,000 – $80,000 | 5 – 8 weeks |
| High-end full renovation with layout change | $80,000 – $150,000 | 8 – 12 weeks |
| Open-concept conversion (wall removal, structural) | $120,000 – $250,000+ | 10 – 16 weeks |
Vancouver kitchen renovation prices in 2026. Range includes labour, materials, permits, and project management. Final fixed quote follows a free in-home consultation.
What a Renew Co kitchen renovation includes
Every kitchen renovation we build is custom — there are no template packages — but the scope of work follows a consistent process. Here is what we handle on a typical kitchen project:
- ✦ Custom cabinetry — shaker, slab, or transitional door styles, made in BC
- ✦ Stone, quartz, or quartzite countertops with templating and seamless installation
- ✦ Full appliance package coordination — induction, gas, built-ins, panel-ready fridges
- ✦ Plumbing relocation for sinks, dishwashers, ice-makers, and pot fillers
- ✦ Electrical updates including under-cabinet lighting, dedicated circuits, and pendant pre-wiring
- ✦ Tile and stone backsplash installation with proper waterproofing
- ✦ Hardwood, tile, or LVP flooring with proper subfloor prep
- ✦ Bulkhead removal, ceiling drywall, and crown moulding
- ✦ City of Vancouver permits for electrical and plumbing alterations
- ✦ Final clean-up and a walkthrough with the project lead
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Vancouver?
Kitchen renovation costs in Vancouver vary by scope more than any other room. A cosmetic refresh — keeping the cabinet boxes and refacing the doors, swapping counters, adding new paint — runs $15,000–$30,000. A full mid-range renovation with new shaker or slab cabinets, quartz counters, mid-tier appliances, and tile backsplash sits at $45,000–$80,000. A high-end build with custom cabinetry, stone counters, and a layout change runs $80,000–$150,000. Opening a load-bearing wall to convert to open-concept adds $20,000–$40,000 for structural work, engineering, and drywall. We provide a fixed-price quote that includes everything — no surprise material allowances.
Kitchen renovation vs. kitchen remodel — what is the difference?
In Vancouver, “renovation” and “remodel” are used interchangeably by homeowners and contractors. Technically, a renovation refreshes existing systems (cabinets, counters, finishes) while a remodel reconfigures the space (layout changes, wall removals, plumbing relocation). In practice, most modern Vancouver kitchen projects involve both — you cannot replace 1980s cabinets without also moving the dishwasher or upgrading the electrical, so the distinction stops mattering. When we quote your project, we focus on the actual scope rather than the label.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A cosmetic kitchen refresh runs 2–3 weeks. A mid-range full renovation takes 5–8 weeks on site. A high-end build with custom cabinetry takes 8–12 weeks, with most of the early time spent on cabinet fabrication. An open-concept conversion involving load-bearing wall removal adds 2–4 weeks for engineering review and structural work. We sequence trades so you have running water in the rest of the house and a usable bathroom throughout — only the kitchen itself is out of commission.
Do you need a permit for a kitchen renovation in Vancouver?
The City of Vancouver requires a Building Permit for any kitchen renovation that involves plumbing relocation, electrical service upgrades, gas line work, or structural changes. A purely cosmetic refresh — cabinet refacing, counter swap, paint, new appliances in the same spots — typically does not require a permit. Renew Co handles the entire permit process when one is needed, including the drawings, plumbing and electrical sub-permits, and the final inspections. Other Greater Vancouver municipalities (Burnaby, Richmond, the District of North Vancouver, West Vancouver) have their own permitting processes and we manage each one.
Custom cabinet styles we install
We work with BC cabinet shops to manufacture every kitchen, which means your cabinets are sized for your room, your appliances, and your storage habits — not pulled from a stock catalogue. Common door styles we install include:
- ✦ Shaker — the classic transitional door, works in heritage and modern homes
- ✦ Flat-panel (slab) — clean lines, ideal for modern Vancouver builds and condos
- ✦ Inset shaker — heritage-correct for character homes in Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant
- ✦ Two-tone — upper and lower cabinets in different colours, popular in 2025–2026 Vancouver designs
- ✦ Painted hardwood — for Pacific Northwest character homes
- ✦ Thermofoil and high-pressure laminate — budget-friendly options for rental properties
Common questions about kitchen renovation in Vancouver
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Vancouver?
Kitchen renovation costs in Vancouver in 2026 typically run $15,000–$30,000 for a cosmetic refresh, $45,000–$80,000 for a mid-range full renovation, and $80,000–$150,000 for a high-end build with custom cabinetry. Layout changes involving load-bearing walls add another $20,000–$40,000. Renew Co provides fixed-price quotes after a free in-home consultation.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A cosmetic kitchen refresh takes 2–3 weeks. A mid-range full renovation takes 5–8 weeks. A high-end renovation with custom cabinetry takes 8–12 weeks, mostly limited by cabinet fabrication time. Open-concept conversions add 2–4 weeks for structural work.
Is a kitchen renovation the same as a kitchen remodel?
In Vancouver, “renovation” and “remodel” are used interchangeably. Technically, a renovation refreshes existing finishes while a remodel reconfigures the space, but most modern kitchen projects involve elements of both. The actual scope of work matters more than the label.
Do I need a permit to renovate my kitchen in Vancouver?
The City of Vancouver requires a Building Permit for kitchen renovations involving plumbing relocation, electrical upgrades, gas line work, or structural changes. Cosmetic refreshes without these changes typically do not require a permit. Renew Co handles the entire permit process when one is needed.
What is the ROI on a kitchen renovation in Vancouver?
Mid-range kitchen renovations in Vancouver typically return 60–80% of investment at resale, and high-end renovations 50–70%. The actual ROI depends on the quality of cabinetry, the finishes selected, and the neighborhood. A renovated kitchen also reduces time on market significantly compared to an unrenovated one.
Can you do a kitchen renovation in a Vancouver condo?
Yes. Condo kitchen renovations require strata approval and often plumbing work scheduled around strata water shut-off rules. Renew Co manages strata forms, the form K, and timing coordination as part of the project scope. Most condo kitchens take 4–6 weeks on site.
Do you provide a warranty on kitchen renovations?
Yes — Renew Co provides a one-year workmanship warranty on every kitchen renovation. Cabinet, countertop, and appliance manufacturer warranties are passed through to you and remain in effect for their full term.
Ready to talk about your project?
Free in-home consultation. Fixed-price written quote. No pressure.