Budgeting · 6 min read
How to plan a kitchen renovation budget in Ontario
How much a kitchen renovation costs in Ontario in 2026: cabinets, counters, trades, allowances, and the 15–20% contingency most quotes skip.
The kitchen is the most expensive room in most Ontario renovations because it combines cabinetry, counters, appliances, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, flooring, and finishing in one confined space. Two quotes for the same kitchen can differ by tens of thousands of dollars and both can be reasonable, because they are pricing different work.
The way out of that confusion is to build your budget from components instead of starting with a single number you hope is enough.
Start with cabinets, because they set the tier
Cabinetry is usually the largest single line. Repainting existing boxes is the cheapest path, refacing is next, and replacement moves up through stock, semi-custom, and fully custom. If your layout works and the boxes are solid, keeping them is the single biggest saving available to you.
Price the trades separately from the finishes
Finishes are visible, so they get attention. The trades are what surprise people. A kitchen that moves the sink, adds a range hood duct, or feeds a new island needs plumbing, electrical, and sometimes structural work, plus drywall and paint afterwards.
- Plumbing rough-in changes when the sink or dishwasher moves
- Dedicated circuits for appliances, microwave, and island outlets
- Range hood ducting to the exterior
- Drywall patching and painting after demolition
- Disposal bins for cabinets, counters, and flooring
Set allowances you can defend
An allowance is a placeholder amount for something not yet chosen, like tile or lighting. Allowances are useful, but they are also where budgets quietly break. Write down the allowance amount for each undecided item and check it against real product prices before signing anything.
Add contingency last, and keep it separate
For kitchens, 15 percent is a reasonable starting contingency, and 20 percent or more is sensible in homes built before 1960 or when walls are moving. Keep that money in a separate account so it is not absorbed by upgrades before the real surprises appear.