Cost Guides
Renovation Cost Guides
Clear, honest explanations of what drives renovation budgets across the GTA and surrounding communities, so you can plan with realistic expectations before you ask for a quote.
How Budgets Work
Why there is no single price for a renovation
Two kitchens of the same size can end up with very different budgets. The difference rarely comes down to one line item. It comes from the scope of work, the condition of what sits behind the walls, the materials and finishes you choose, and how much of the home has to change to make the new layout work.
That is why our cost guides do not publish prices. Instead, they explain the variables that move a budget up or down, the questions worth answering early, and how to leave room for the unexpected. Once you understand those variables, a detailed proposal becomes much easier to read and compare.
Scope
How much changes: a refresh of surfaces, a partial remodel, or a full transformation with new layout and systems.
Conditions
The age and condition of the home, including wiring, plumbing, framing and anything hidden until walls open.
Selections
Cabinetry, tile, fixtures, flooring and lighting. Finish level is often the largest variable you control.
Approvals & timing
Permits, inspections and product lead times all influence the schedule, and the schedule influences cost.
The Guides
Choose a cost guide
Start with the Ontario overview, then go deeper into the space you are planning.
Overview
The core factors that shape any renovation budget in Ontario, from scope and permits to HST and contingency.
Kitchens
Cabinetry, layout changes, appliances, ventilation and the trade work that sits behind a new kitchen.
Bathrooms
Waterproofing, plumbing moves, tile scope and fixtures: what changes the budget in a small but complex room.
Basements
Moisture management, ceiling height, egress, new bathrooms and how finishing below grade differs from upstairs.
Whole Home
Layout changes, structural work, systems upgrades, sequencing and living arrangements during a whole-home project.
Getting the Most From Them
How to use these guides
Read them as a planning tool, not a price list. Each guide walks through the decisions that matter most for that type of project.
01
Define your scope
Decide whether you are refreshing, partially remodelling or fully transforming the space. The scope tables in each guide help.
02
List your priorities
Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves so you know where you can adjust if the budget needs to flex.
03
Plan a contingency
Leave room for conditions that only appear once work begins, especially in older homes.
04
Request a proposal
Bring your notes to a consultation. A site visit turns general factors into a project-specific proposal.
Looking for step-by-step planning advice rather than budgets? Visit our renovation planning guides, including renovation budget planning and renovation permits in Ontario.
Next Step
Ready to Talk About Your Budget?
Share your goals, your home and your timeline. We will help you understand the scope and prepare a clear, detailed proposal.