What it costs in the GTA
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Mid-range full kitchen remodel | $25,000–$55,000 |
| Galley or condo kitchen | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Large or open-concept kitchen | $60,000+ |
| Cabinet refacing (average) | about $8,200 |
Before HST. Moving plumbing, removing walls and custom cabinets are the biggest price jumps. Ranges where published GTA and Ontario sources overlap, checked November 2026. Not a quote.
Rebates, permits & rules
- Removing or moving walls, or changing plumbing, usually needs a building permit. Load-bearing walls need engineer drawings.
- Electrical work needs an ESA permit in Ontario, done by a licensed electrical contractor.
- Condos: get board approval and check the building's renovation rules before you sign.
- Signed the contract at your home? Ontario gives you 10 days to cancel most contracts signed there, for any reason.
What a complete quote includes
If any of these aren't on your quote, ask. Missing doesn't mean it's wrong, but it should be in writing.
- Detailed scope, room by room
- Cabinets: stock, semi-custom or custom, and brand
- Countertop material
- Backsplash
- Appliances: included or not, and who installs them
- Plumbing and electrical, with permits
- Building permit, if walls or layout change
- Demolition and disposal
- Allowances for finishes, in dollars
- Timeline, payment schedule tied to milestones, and change-order process
- Warranty
- Allowances that are unrealistically low (the real cost shows up later as 'extras')
- Big deposit with no milestone schedule
- No permits on a job that moves walls or plumbing
- No written change-order process
- Solid cabinet boxes? Refacing or painting plus new counters can cost a fraction of a remodel.
- Keeping the sink, stove and fridge where they are saves thousands on plumbing, gas and electrical.
- Budget a 10–15% contingency for what's found behind the walls.
- Get at least two quotes on the same written scope so you're comparing like with like.
5 questions to ask before you sign
- What are the allowances, and what happens if I go over?
- Which permits are needed, and who pulls them?
- How are payments tied to finished work?
- How do change orders work, and are they priced before work starts?
- Who's on site day to day, and are subcontractors licensed and insured?
Paste your quote into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini with this prompt:
I'm a homeowner in [city], Ontario. Here is my kitchen renovation quote: [paste]. List what it includes and leaves out (scope, cabinets, counters, appliances, plumbing and electrical, permits, allowances, demolition, timeline, payment schedule, change orders, warranty), flag allowances that look low or vague, and give me 5 questions to ask before I sign. Don't guess a fair price.
Or skip the copy-paste: our free Quote Checker already knows what a kitchen renovation quote should include, and compares the price with real GTA ranges.
Common questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Toronto?
A mid-range full kitchen remodel commonly runs about $25,000–$55,000 before HST. Small galley kitchens can be less; large custom kitchens much more.
Do I need a permit to renovate my kitchen?
Usually not for cabinets and counters. Yes for moving walls or plumbing, and electrical work needs an ESA permit.
What is an allowance in a renovation quote?
A placeholder amount for items you haven't picked yet, like tile or faucets. If you choose more expensive items, you pay the difference.