Quick answer: In Toronto and the GTA, a kitchen refresh typically costs $8,000 to $18,000, a full renovation on the same layout $30,000 to $60,000, and layout changes or custom cabinetry $60,000 and up, all before HST. Every job gets a written quote after a site visit.
Most kitchen renovations in Toronto and the GTA land in one of three price bands: a refresh, a full renovation on the same layout, or a bigger job that moves things around. Here is what each one typically costs with us in 2026, what is included, how long it takes, and what pushes the price up or down.
Every price in this guide is a typical range before HST (13%). Your kitchen will have its own number, and every job gets a written quote after a site visit. The ranges are here so you can plan with real figures instead of guesses.
The short answer
| Type of job | Typical cost (before HST) | Typical time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (same layout) | $8,000 to $18,000 | 2 to 3 weeks, allowing for countertop fabrication |
| Full kitchen renovation (same layout) | $30,000 to $60,000 | 4 to 7 weeks, plus cabinet lead time of about 4 to 10 weeks from order |
| Layout changes, custom cabinetry or high-end finishes | $60,000 and up | Quoted per job |
The gap between a refresh and a full renovation is mostly the cabinets. Keep the ones you have and refinish them, and you stay in the refresh band. Replace them, and you are into a full renovation.
What each level includes
Kitchen refresh: $8,000 to $18,000
A refresh keeps your layout and your cabinet boxes. We refinish the cabinets, install new quartz counters, put up a new backsplash and update the lighting. The kitchen looks new, but nothing moves, so there is no new plumbing or electrical layout to pay for.
A refresh works best when the cabinet boxes are solid and you are happy with where everything is. If the doors are worn but the boxes are sound, refinishing them is where most of the savings come from.
Full kitchen renovation: $30,000 to $60,000
A full renovation keeps the layout but replaces almost everything else: new cabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring and lighting. The sink, stove and fridge stay where they are, which keeps plumbing and electrical work simpler than a layout change.
Where you land in the range depends mostly on the cabinets you choose, the counter material, the size of the kitchen and the flooring.
Layout changes, custom cabinetry or high-end finishes: $60,000 and up
Once you move the sink, add an island with plumbing, open a wall into the living room or order fully custom cabinetry, the job moves into this band. Moving things means new plumbing and electrical runs, and opening a wall can mean structural work like a new beam. High-end finishes push the price up even if the layout stays the same.
What moves the price
Cabinets
Cabinets are usually the biggest single decision. Refinishing existing cabinets costs far less than replacing them, and custom cabinetry costs more than standard lines. New cabinets also bring a lead time of about 4 to 10 weeks from order, which affects your schedule more than your budget.
Countertops
Quartz or granite countertops typically run $70 to $150 per sq ft. A small galley kitchen needs far fewer square feet than an L-shaped kitchen with an island, so the counter line on your quote grows with the size of the kitchen.
Backsplash
Backsplash tile work typically runs $12 to $20 per sq ft. That covers the installation and basic materials, but not the tile itself. You choose the tile, so a simple subway tile and an expensive handmade tile cost the same to install but very different amounts to buy.
Lighting
Potlights typically cost $150 to $250 each. A kitchen with six new potlights adds roughly $900 to $1,500 before under-cabinet or pendant lighting.
Flooring
If the flooring is being replaced, installation typically runs $2.50 to $4.00 per sq ft for laminate or vinyl plank, $4.00 to $7.00 for hardwood, and $10 to $16 for floor tile. Those are installation prices. The flooring itself is not included, so the product you pick is a separate cost.
Distance and complexity
Pricing also depends on how far the job is and how complicated it is. Older homes with surprises behind the walls, tight access, and awkward layouts all take more time. That is why we price every job after seeing it.
HST
All of the ranges above are before HST. At 13%, a $30,000 renovation is $33,900 with tax, so build that into your budget from the start.
How long a kitchen renovation takes
Time on site is only part of the schedule. Here is what to expect once work starts:
- Kitchen refresh: 2 to 3 weeks, allowing for countertop fabrication.
- Full kitchen renovation: 4 to 7 weeks on site, plus a cabinet lead time of about 4 to 10 weeks from order.
Countertops are measured once the cabinets are installed and then fabricated, so there is always a short gap between cabinets and counters. Permits and cabinet orders can add lead time before work starts. We plan the start date around the cabinet order so your kitchen is not torn apart while you wait.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Keep the layout. Leaving the sink, stove and fridge where they are avoids new plumbing and electrical runs.
- Refinish solid cabinets. If the boxes are in good shape, refinishing is the heart of a refresh and keeps you in the lower band.
- Choose your tile and flooring carefully. Installation prices stay the same, but the products you buy vary a lot.
- Use one crew for every trade. We do every trade in-house, so there is no stack of subcontractor markups, and we do not charge an arm and a leg for general contracting.
- Decide before work starts. Changes after cabinets are ordered or counters are cut cost time and money.
Want a rough number now? Our free estimate calculator gives you a price range for cabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring and more in a couple of minutes. For the full picture of how we run a kitchen job, see our kitchen renovations page.
Permits, design and who does the work
We handle the design with you, and when a job needs a permit we pull it and book the inspections. Every trade, from tear-out to backsplash, is done by our own crew, and the owner personally oversees every job. Every job also comes with our written workmanship warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Do these kitchen prices include HST?
No. All prices are before HST, which is 13% in Ontario. A $30,000 kitchen is $33,900 with HST.
What is the difference between a kitchen refresh and a full renovation?
A refresh keeps your layout and cabinet boxes, refinishes the cabinets and replaces the counters, backsplash and lighting, typically for $8,000 to $18,000. A full renovation keeps the layout but replaces the cabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring and lighting, typically for $30,000 to $60,000.
How long will I be without a kitchen?
A refresh usually takes 2 to 3 weeks on site and a full renovation 4 to 7 weeks. New cabinets take about 4 to 10 weeks from order, so we plan the start date around that.
Is the tile and flooring included in the price?
No. Tile prices include installation and basic materials but not the tile itself, and flooring prices are installation only. You choose and buy the tile and flooring you want.
How do I get an exact price for my kitchen?
Call 647-641-7012 or send us a message. We visit, measure and give you a free written quote. For a rough range first, use the free estimate calculator on our website.