A kitchen renovation is one of the larger decisions a homeowner makes, and the planning stage is where most projects either go smoothly or run into trouble. This guide covers the decisions you need to make before any walls come down, based on the projects we have completed across Toronto and the GTA since 2014.

Define the scope before you call anyone

The most common source of budget overruns in kitchen renovations is scope creep: work that was not in the original plan but gets added once the walls are open. Before you contact a contractor, decide whether you are doing a cosmetic refresh (new cabinet doors, countertop, paint) or a full gut renovation (new layout, new plumbing rough-ins, new electrical). These are fundamentally different projects with different permit requirements and different timelines. A cosmetic refresh in a 120 sq ft kitchen might take two weeks and cost $8,000 to $12,000. A full gut renovation of the same space can take four to six weeks and cost $20,000 to $35,000 or more depending on materials.

Understand what requires a permit in Toronto

In Toronto, a building permit is required for kitchen renovations that involve moving or adding plumbing (including relocating a sink or adding a dishwasher drain), moving or adding electrical circuits (including adding a dedicated circuit for a range or refrigerator), or removing a load-bearing wall. Cabinet replacement, countertop replacement, and painting do not require a permit. If your renovation involves any of the permit-triggering items, budget an additional $300 to $600 for the permit fee and two to four weeks for the application process.

Set a realistic budget with a contingency

A useful rule of thumb for a full kitchen renovation in Toronto is $150 to $250 per sq ft of kitchen floor area, all-in including labour, materials, and appliances. A 120 sq ft kitchen lands between $18,000 and $30,000 on that basis. Add a 10 to 15 percent contingency for discoveries behind the walls: old knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, or subfloor damage are common in Toronto homes built before 1970. The contingency is not a slush fund; it is insurance against the things you cannot see until demo day.

Choose materials before the project starts

Material lead times are the most common cause of schedule delays in kitchen renovations. Custom cabinetry from a local millwork shop typically takes four to six weeks to fabricate. Quartz slabs from a distributor like MSI Stone or Olympia Tile take two to three weeks. If you want a specific tile for the backsplash, order it before demo begins. We ask all clients to have materials selected and on order before we schedule a start date, because a two-week tile delay in the middle of a project costs everyone time.

What to ask a contractor before signing

Ask for a copy of their contractor licence and insurance certificate before signing anything. Ask whether they pull permits for work that requires them. Ask how they handle change orders: the answer should be 'in writing, before the work proceeds.' Ask who will be on-site daily and whether they use subcontractors or their own employees. A contractor who cannot answer these questions clearly is a risk. A contractor who answers them without hesitation is worth a second conversation.

The planning stage is where the project is won or lost. Take the time to define scope, select materials, and understand the permit requirements before any work begins. If you have questions specific to your kitchen, reach us to schedule an estimate and we will walk through the details on-site.