If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, the first question is always the same: how much is this actually going to cost? The honest answer is “it depends” — but that’s not helpful. So here’s a straightforward breakdown based on real projects we’ve delivered at Bouri Contracting across Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities.
Kitchen Renovation Cost Ranges
Kitchen renovations generally fall into three clear tiers. What you actually pay depends on the size of your kitchen, the quality of materials you choose, and whether you’re making structural changes.
Budget tier: $30,000 – $55,000
This covers a cosmetic refresh with new cabinets (often semi-custom or stock with good hardware), laminate or entry-level quartz countertops, a tile backsplash, and appliance replacement. The existing kitchen layout stays the same. Plumbing and electrical remain in the same locations. This tier is great for condo kitchens and smaller townhouses where you’re improving what’s there without reinventing it.
Mid tier: $55,000 – $95,000
Most single-family kitchens in our market land here. You get custom or high-quality semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite countertops, upgraded appliances (often to a package like Bosch or KitchenAid), a designer backsplash, a kitchen island with seating, undermount lighting, and some layout changes. This is where you start making real decisions about how your kitchen works, not just how it looks.
Premium tier: $95,000 – $175,000+
Full custom cabinetry from a local millworker, high-end stone countertops (waterfall edges, bookmatched slabs), luxury appliances like Wolf or Sub-Zero, structural wall removal for open-concept flow, pot fillers, custom range hoods, integrated wine storage, and designer plumbing fixtures. Premium kitchens often come with a full design-build process, 3D renderings, and project management over 8–12 weeks.
What Drives Kitchen Renovation Costs
Six factors will make the biggest difference to your final number:
- Cabinet choice. Cabinets are typically 30–40% of a kitchen renovation budget. Stock cabinets from a big-box store start around $8,000 for a full kitchen. Semi-custom from a supplier like NorelCo or Cabico runs $15,000–$30,000. Full custom from a local Tri-Cities millworker is $25,000–$60,000+.
- Countertop material. Laminate runs $20–$40 per square foot installed. Quartz is $60–$120 per square foot. Natural stone (marble, quartzite) is $90–$200+ per square foot, especially for exotic slabs.
- Layout changes. Moving the sink, gas line, or electrical panel adds $2,000–$8,000+. Removing a load-bearing wall for open concept runs $5,000–$15,000 once you factor in engineering, beams, and drywall repair.
- Appliance package. Entry-level appliance packages start at $5,000. Mid-range is $10,000–$20,000. Premium packages can exceed $30,000 easily.
- Flooring. Replacing kitchen flooring adds $3,000–$10,000 depending on material — ceramic tile, luxury vinyl plank, or engineered hardwood are the common choices in our local housing stock.
- Permits. Any plumbing, gas, or electrical changes require a municipal building permit. Permit fees for a typical kitchen renovation run $800–$2,500 depending on scope and city.
What’s NOT Included in Most Quotes
This is where homeowners get surprised. Here are the line items that often appear as additions once work begins:
- Asbestos or lead abatement if discovered in older homes (common in houses built before 1990)
- Electrical panel upgrades if your existing panel can’t handle modern kitchen loads
- Structural assessments if you’re removing walls
- Disposal fees for demolition debris
- Appliance delivery and installation fees from third-party suppliers
At Bouri Contracting, we itemize all of these up front. No surprises — if your home is decades old and we suspect asbestos, we tell you before demolition starts, not after.
How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?
Most residential kitchen renovations take 6 to 10 weeks from demolition day to final walkthrough. Factors that extend the timeline:
- Custom cabinet orders (typical lead time is 8–12 weeks from order to delivery)
- Stone countertop fabrication (2–3 weeks after template is taken)
- Municipal permit approval delays (usually 1–4 weeks)
- Structural changes requiring engineering review
Planning your kitchen renovation 3–4 months before you want construction to start is realistic. Rush jobs usually compromise on quality or cost more.
How to Get an Accurate Kitchen Renovation Quote
Online calculators give you a ballpark. For a real number, you need an on-site consultation where a contractor can see:
- The age and condition of your existing plumbing and electrical
- Ceiling height and window locations
- Load-bearing walls vs partition walls
- Floor condition under existing cabinets
- HVAC and ductwork routing
A good contractor should be able to give you a detailed, itemized quote within 5–10 business days of the consultation. If a contractor gives you a flat number on the spot with no inspection, that’s a red flag — either they’re lowballing to win the job and will up-charge during construction, or they don’t understand your kitchen well enough to quote it accurately.
Is It Worth It?
Renovation ROI data for the Metro Vancouver market generally shows a well-executed mid-tier kitchen renovation returns 65–80% of its cost at resale. In markets that favor move-in-ready homes — including Coquitlam — that number can run higher. But beyond resale value, a good kitchen transforms how you live in your home every single day. For most homeowners, that’s worth more than the ROI math.
If you’re ready to get real numbers for your kitchen renovation, book a free on-site consultation with Bouri Contracting. We’ll walk your space, understand what you actually want, and deliver a detailed itemized quote within a week — no pressure, no up-selling, no hidden fees. Read more about our kitchen renovation services in Coquitlam.