Home Renovation Cost in Canada: The 2026 Price Guide
By Editorial Team
Updated on August 27, 2026
After publishing several hundred blog posts about renovations, we have compiled all the pricing data into a useful document to keep on hand.
Most Canadian homeowners spend $15,000 to $60,000 on a mid-range home renovation in 2026, or roughly $75 to $200 per square foot depending on scope. A cosmetic refresh of a single room can start under $2,000, while a full gut renovation of a whole house commonly runs $100,000 to $300,000 or more.
How much does it cost to redo your kitchen or bathroom? What is the average price for painting work? How much should you budget for renovating your flooring? In this guide, we answer all your questions to help you effectively plan and budget your renovation projects.
How much does it cost to renovate a house in Canada?
Where you land depends on three things: how much square footage you're touching, whether you're moving plumbing and electrical or leaving them in place, and the finish level you choose. The tables throughout this guide break down every component cost so you can build a budget from the parts rather than guess at a total.
Renovation Costs by Room
Room | Cosmetic refresh | Full renovation |
Living room | $500 to $2,000 | $2,500 to $8,000 |
Bedroom | $500 to $1,500 | $2,000 to $7,000 |
Home office or guest room | $500 to $1,500 | $2,000 to $6,000 |
Entryway or foyer | $500 to $2,500 | $3,000 to $10,000 |
Bathroom | $19,000 and up | $26,000 to $35,000 mid-range, $55,000+ with plumbing relocation |
Kitchen | $15,000 to $20,000 | $35,000 to $45,000 average, $70,000+ high-end |
Basement (1,000 sq. ft.) | — | $70,000 to $100,000 |
A cosmetic refresh means paint, lighting, hardware, and mouldings with the layout untouched. A full renovation adds flooring, cabinets, countertops, and fixtures.
Gut renovations are a separate category. Taking a room back to the studs means interior demolition, debris removal, and often structural work exposed along the way. Budget 30% to 50% above a standard renovation for the same room.
The biggest cost lever in any room is whether plumbing and electrical stay where they are. Moving a sink, toilet, or stove often adds several thousand dollars on its own.
Air Conditioning and Heating
Source: ACM Climatisation
Air Conditioning
Type | Price (supplied and installed) |
Portable / mobile air conditioner | $300 to $2,000 |
Window air conditioner | $150 to $840 |
Wall-mounted air conditioner | $1,000 to $6,000 |
Conditioner (split air conditioner) | $2,500 to $7,000 |
Central air conditioner (air-flow) | $3,000 to $9,000 |
Ceiling air conditioning system | $6,500 to $15,000 |
Ductless air conditioner | $1,500 to $7,000 |
Heat pump (prices in general) | $1,000 to $20,000 |
Source: Cost of Air Conditioners: How much to budget in 2026?
Heating Systems
Type of heating system | Price (supplied and installed) |
Natural gas heating system | $4,000 to $8,000 |
Geothermal system | $20,000 to $50,000 |
Electric furnace | $2,000 to $5,000 |
Propane heating | $4,000 to $7,500 |
Wall heating | $800 to $9,000 |
Forced air heating | $2,000 to $8,000 |
Hot water heating (hydronic) | $1,000 to $12,000 |
Heat pump (prices in general) | $1,000 to $20,000 |
Source: Heating System Cost Guide: How much to budget in 2026?
Humidifiers
Type | Price (unit only) |
|---|---|
Central | $800 to $4,000 |
Cool mist | $45 to $200 |
Warm mist | $55 to $500 |
Ultrasound | $40 to $300 |
Source: How to Solve a Dry Air Problem
Kitchen
Source: TL Kitchen
Kitchen Counters
Material | Price (supplied and installed) |
Slate | $100 to $400 per sq. ft. |
Granite | $50 to $190 per sq. ft. |
Marble | $45 to $250 per sq. ft. |
Quartz | $50 to $150 per sq. ft. |
Concrete | $70 to $250 per sq. ft. |
Stainless steel | $70 to $150 per sq. ft. |
Synthetic | $60 to $200 per sq. ft. |
Recycled material | $100 to $300 per sq. ft. |
Wood | $13 to $120 per sq. ft. |
Laminate | $6 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Tile | $30 to $100 per sq. ft. |
Dekton | $50 to $150 per sq. ft. |
Source: Kitchen Countertop Price Guide: What does it cost in 2026?
Kitchen Sinks
Material | Price (unit only) |
Stainless steel sink | $50 to $600 |
Ceramic sink | $180 to $350 |
Resin sink | $100 to $300 |
Stone sink | $150 to $800 |
Source: How to Choose Your Kitchen Sink
Cupboards and Drawers
Material | Price per foot (supplied and installed) |
Melamine | $10 to $20 per foot |
Polymer (or thermoplastic) | $30 to $40 per foot |
Polyester | $30 to $40 per foot |
Acrylic | $70 to $80 per foot |
Lacquer | $80 to $100 per foot |
Wood | $100 to $120 per foot |
Handles | $5 to $50 per piece |
Source: Cost of Kitchen Cabinets: Price Tag on Custom Designs
Kitchen Backsplashes
Material | Price (supplied and installed) |
Ceramic | $1 to $12 per sq. ft. |
Porcelain | $5 to $15 per sq. ft. |
Glass tiles | $15 to $50 per sq. ft. |
Glass panels | $45 to $150 per sq. ft. |
Marble tile | $36 to $100 per sq. ft. |
Slate tile | $50 to $150 per sq. ft. |
Adhesive tile | $12 to $22 per sq. ft. |
Source: Kitchen Backsplash Price Guide: How much to budget in 2026?
Kitchen Flooring
Kitchen flooring is priced the same way as flooring elsewhere in the home, so see the Floors section below for material and installation costs by type. Ceramic, porcelain, and luxury vinyl are the most common choices for kitchens because they tolerate moisture and heavy traffic.
Source: Kitchen Flooring Buying Guide: How much to budget in 2026?
Electricity and Lighting
Source: AGI Électrique
Renovation type | Price (supplied and installed) |
Renovation of a 100A electrical system (panel that is already up to code) | $700 to $1,600 |
Renovation of a 100A electrical system (panel that is not up to code) | $1,000 to $1,500 |
Renovation of a 200A electrical system | $1,500 to $2,000 |
Installation of an auxiliary electrical system | $250 to $800 |
Installing a new electrical panel | $650 to $1,500 |
Installation of a 120V electrical circuit | $300 to $700 |
Installation of a 240V electrical circuit | $350 to $700 |
Add a standard electrical outlet (existing circuit) | $200 to $300 |
Add a standard electrical outlet (new circuit) | $250 to $350 |
Partial or complete rewiring | $5,000 or more |
System grounding | $100 to $500 |
Electrical plan for new construction or major renovation | $300 to $2,000 |
Source: Replacing an Electrical Panel: What are the costs in 2026?
Bathroom
Source: Côté, Alain
A bathroom renovation in Canada runs from $19,000 for an aesthetic update to $26,000 to $35,000 for a complete mid-range renovation, rising to $55,000 or more when plumbing is relocated. The component prices below show where that money goes. Fixture prices are for the unit only, with installation listed under Plumbing.
Bathtubs
Type | Price (unit only) |
Whirlpool bathtub | $1,000 to $8,000 |
Alcove bathtub | $200 to $5,000 |
Freestanding bathtub | $500 to $6,000 |
Enameled steel bathtub | $200 to $500 |
Acrylic bathtub | $300 to $6,000 |
Showers
Type | Price (unit only) |
Single shower door | $200 to $1,000 |
Sliding shower door | $500 to $3,000 |
Shower column | $100 to $3,000 |
One-piece shower | $600 to $3,000 |
Modular shower | $750 to $1,200 |
Custom shower | $2,000 to $15,000 |
Rectangular / alcove showers | $1,000 to $4,000 |
Round corner showers | $700 to $3,000 |
Square showers | $800 to $4,000 |
Toilets
Type | Price (unit only) |
One-piece toilets | $400 to $3,000 |
Two-piece toilets | $200 to $2,000 |
Chair height / comfort height toilets | $200 to $3,000 |
Standard height toilets | $200 to $2,000 |
Elongated toilets | $200 to $3,000 |
Round toilets | $200 to $4,000 |
Single flush toilets | $100 to $3,000 |
Dual flush toilets | $400 to $9,000 |
Wall-mounted toilets | $500 to $2,000 |
Bathroom Sinks
Material | Price (unit only) |
Vitreous china | $200 to $1,000 |
Glass | $100 to $400 |
Copper | $200 to $800 |
Cast iron | $200 to $1,500 |
Ceramic | $100 to $400 |
Faucets
Type | Price (unit only) |
Single handle | $50 to $800 |
2 handles | $100 to $1,500 |
Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers
Type | Price (unit only) |
Standard vanity cabinet | $300 to $7,000 |
Prefabricated cabinet (medicine cabinet) | $100 to $2,500 |
Bathroom Countertops
Material | Price (supplied and installed) |
Laminate countertop | $6 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Granite countertop | $50 to $190 per sq. ft. |
Marble countertop | $45 to $250 per sq. ft. |
Quartz countertop | $50 to $150 per sq. ft. |
Wood countertop | $13 to $120 per sq. ft. |
Tile countertop | $30 to $100 per sq. ft. |
Bathroom Flooring
Type | Price |
Vinyl tile flooring | $1 to $9 per sq. ft. (materials only) |
Linoleum flooring, rolls and tiles | $0.60 to $1.50 per sq. ft. (installation only) |
Ceramic flooring | $4 to $8 per sq. ft. (installation only) |
Porcelain and slate tiles | $6 to $20 per sq. ft. (installation only) |
Natural stone mosaic | $6 to $15 per sq. ft. (materials only) |
Cork flooring | Approximately $2 per sq. ft. (installation only) |
Bathroom Wallcoverings
Type | Price |
Tile wall covering | $5 to $10 per sq. ft. (materials only) |
Natural stone wall | $12 to $20 per sq. ft. (supplied and installed) |
Decorative stone wall | $4 to $9 per sq. ft. (supplied and installed) |
Lighting
Type | Price (unit only) |
Wall lights / wall sconces | $60 to $600 |
Ceiling lights | $20 to $700 |
Accessories and Decor
Item | Price (unit only) |
Towel rack | $10 to $600 |
Mirror | $50 to $800 |
Bath mat | $10 to $200 |
Bathroom Ventilation
Item | Price |
Bathroom fan (unit only) | $30 to $500 |
Bathroom fan (supplied and installed) | $400 to $800 |
Ventilation duct cleaning | $400 to $800 |
Source: What to Consider When Choosing a Bathroom Fan
Bathroom Insulation
Material | Price (supplied and installed) |
Rock wool | $1.40 to $5.90 per sq. ft. |
Expanded polystyrene | $2 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Cellulose | Approximately $1 per sq. ft. |
Sources:
Mouldings
Source: PEINTURE SAGA INC.
Type | Price per foot (supplied and installed) |
Hardwood mouldings | $2 to $6 per foot |
Pine mouldings | $1 to $6 per foot |
Cedar mouldings | $9 to $12 per foot |
Exotic wood mouldings (e.g. walnut) | $24 to $35 per foot |
Plaster mouldings | $5 to $15 per foot |
Plaster-covered foam | Approximately $7 per foot |
Polyurethane foam | Approximately $9 per foot |
MDF mouldings | $1 to $12 per foot |
Source: Crown Moulding: Everything You Need to Know
Basement
Source: Top Construction
Project | Price |
Setting up an unfinished basement | Approximately $70 to $100 per sq. ft. |
Demolishing a finished basement | Minimum $3,000 |
Excavating the basement to increase the size of your house (with underpinning) | $50,000 to $150,000 |
Building a wine cellar | $5,000 to $20,000 |
Sources:
Ceilings
Project | Price (materials only) |
Suspended ceiling | $2 to $10 per sq. ft. |
Source: How to Install a Drop Ceiling
Plumbing
Source: BCD Électrique
Project | Price |
Replacing pipes | $100 to $250 per foot |
Installing a water heater | $750 to $1,400 |
Replacing a toilet | $250 to $700 |
Replacing a sink | $200 to $600 |
Replacing a shower | $2,500 or more |
Replacing a bathtub | $1,300 to $1,500 |
Renovating the plumbing of a complete bathroom | $5,000 or more |
Installing a kitchen sink | $250 to $700 |
Plumber rates in Quebec | $42 to $180 per hour |
Source: Plumbing Renovation Costs: What should you budget for 2026?
Other Interior Projects
Central Vacuum Cleaner
Project | Price (unit only) |
Buying a central vacuum cleaner | $200 to $2,000 |
Source: All You Need to Know About Central Vacuum Systems
Walk-In Closet
Project | Price (supplied and installed) |
Setting up a walk-in closet | $500 to $3,000 |
Source: Planning for a Master Walk-In Closet
Home Additions and Extensions
Source: 5 Piliers Inc.
Types of Home Extension
Type of home extension | Price |
Adding a floor | $175 to $400 per sq. ft. or $100,000 to $300,000 total |
Adding a storey above a garage | $100,000 to $200,000 |
Adding a grade-level room | $75,000 to $175,000 |
Cantilever home addition | $30,000 to $60,000 |
Lateral extension / single-storey conversion | $200 to $500 per sq. ft. |
Finishing a basement | $70 to $100 per sq. ft. |
Two-storey addition (first floor) | $360 to $480 per sq. ft. |
Two-storey addition (second floor) | $210 to $240 per sq. ft. |
Minimal budget | Approximately $75,000 |
Sources:
Adding a Floor to a Home
Type of floor addition project | Price |
Total price of the work | Between $175 and $400 per sq. ft. or $100,000 to $300,000 total |
Floor with bedrooms | Approximately $175 to $400 per sq. ft. |
Floor with a full apartment | Approximately $175 to $240 per sq. ft. |
Source: What You Should Know Before Adding a Floor to Your Home
Decks and Balconies
Source: Patio Légaré inc.
Balconies
Material | Price (supplied and installed) |
Natural wood | Between $75 and $85 per sq. ft. |
Pressure treated wood | Between $65 and $80 per sq. ft. |
Plastic and composite | Between $55 and $65 per sq. ft. |
Source: Balcony Price Guide
Decks
Material | Material cost | Design and installation cost |
Redwood cedar | $4 to $5 per sq. ft. | $40 to $60 per sq. ft. |
Pavers | $4 to $12 per sq. ft. | $20 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Composite decking | $6 to $12 per sq. ft. | $50 to $85 per sq. ft. |
Torrefied wood | $6 to $12 per sq. ft. | $50 to $70 per sq. ft. |
Ipe wood | $10 to $15 per sq. ft. | N/A |
Teak | $10 to $15 per sq. ft. | N/A |
Fibreglass | $14 to $55 per sq. ft. (plus $2.50 to $4 per sq. ft. for sanding) | N/A |
Pressure-treated wood | Roughly $25 per sq. ft. | Roughly $50 per sq. ft. |
Concrete | $45 to $80 per sq. ft. (includes labour and reinforcement materials) | N/A |
Source: Deck and Patio Cost Guide 2026: How much to budget?
Garages, Gazebos, and Sheds
Source: Toitures Stamina Inc.
Garages
Element | Price |
Single garage | $35,000 to $75,000 |
Double garage | $80,000 to $140,000 |
Steel garage door | $2,000 to $5,000 |
Aluminum garage door | $2,000 to $6,000 |
Wooden garage door | $6,000 to $12,000 |
Single door installation | $400 to $500 |
Double door installation | $250 to $300 |
Door opener motor | $350 to $500 |
Source: Garage Door Prices in Canada 2026: Price Breakdown & Buying Guide
Gazebos
Type | Price |
Wood gazebo | Between $2,000 and $12,000 |
Polycarbonate gazebo | Between $1,000 and $5,000 |
Basic gazebo, sold as a kit | Between $1,000 and $5,000 |
Source: Gazebos: Prices and Characteristics
Sheds
Type | Price |
Average price of a shed (without electricity and without labour fees) | $2,000 to $10,000 |
Price for metal walls and floors | $2,000 to $6,000, or $25 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Price for wooden walls and floors | $3,000 to $10,000, or $40 to $50 per sq. ft. |
Price for resin walls and floors | $3,000 to $10,000, or $45 to $50 per sq. ft. |
Source: The Ultimate Storage Shed Cost Guide: How much to budget in 2026?
Sunrooms, Solariums, and Verandas
Solarium
A solarium is considered a full-fledged room in the house, bathed in sunlight. Often heated and enclosed with glass, it allows residents to enjoy the sun while being sheltered from the outdoors.
Type of sunroom | Price |
Heated solarium | $20,000 to $55,000 |
Glass-framed solarium (heatless) | $30,000 to $75,000 |
Polymer solarium (heatless) | $15,000 to $37,500 |
Sun porch-like solarium | $25,000 to $75,000 |
Source: Everything About Transforming Your Patio into a Solarium
Veranda
A veranda is an extension of the home that is unheated, not insulated, and not lived in year-round. With glass walls and a roof, it provides a view of the outdoors and creates a new living space. In summer, it can be equipped with a mosquito screen.
Type | Price per sq. metre |
PVC porch / veranda | $500 to $1,000 per sq. metre |
Aluminum porch / veranda | $600 to $1,200 per sq. metre |
Lower-end wooden porch / veranda | $500 to $900 per sq. metre |
High-end wooden porch / veranda | $800 to $1,500 per sq. metre |
Steel or wrought iron porch / veranda | $800 and $1,500 per sq. metre |
Source: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Porch
Glass Sunroom
A glass sunroom is a fully or partially glazed opening, made of metal or wood, that replaces the facade of a house. It brings natural light inside and visually enlarges the space.
Type of glass sunroom | Price |
3-season sunroom | $10,000 to $40,000 |
Year-round sunroom | $20,000 to $65,000 |
Source: Glass Sunrooms: What You Should Know Before Starting
Landscaping and Pools
Source: Aménagement paysager Demeter
Pool
Type of pool project | Price |
Above-ground pool | $2,000 and $13,000 |
Semi-inground pool | $10,000 and $50,000 |
Inground pool | $40,000 or more |
Annual maintenance of an inground pool | $1,100 or more (with chemicals and hydro) |
Source: Installing a Pool and Setting Up Your Backyard
Fences
Type | Price per foot (supplied and installed) |
Chain link fence (frost) | $12 to $40 per foot |
Aluminum fence | $45 to $150 per foot |
Wrought iron fence | $30 to $70 per foot |
PVC fence | $55 to $100 per foot |
Wooden fence | $20 to $70 per foot |
Composite wood fence | $85 to $155 per foot |
Sources:
Retaining Wall
Type of retaining wall | Price |
Building a retaining wall | $20 to $50 per sq. ft. (materials only) |
Building a retaining wall | $20 to $160 per sq. ft. (abour only) |
Source: Steps and Cost to Build a Retaining Wall
Paving, Asphalt, and Paver Stones
Source: Pavemulti
Type | Price per sq. ft. (without excavation) |
Gravel driveway | $1 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Asphalt driveway | $3 to $20 per sq. ft. |
Concrete driveway | $7 to $20 per sq. ft. |
Paving stones driveway | $10 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Sources:
Sewers and Septic Tanks
Source: Terrassement-expert.ca
Service type | Price |
Soil testing | $600 to $2,000, depending on the region |
Installation | $10,000 to $45,000, and up to $60,000 |
Inspection | $400 to $500 |
Upkeep | $150 to $700 |
Municipal sewer connection | $2,500 to $9,000 |
Sources:
Foundations and French Drains
Source: Excavation Comeau inc.
Foundation Repairs
Type of repair | Price |
Building inspection | $400 to $800 |
Easily accessible crack repair / small cracks | $300 minimum per crack |
Big crack repair | $5,000 maximum per crack |
Epoxy injection for crack repair | $300 to $1,000 per crack |
Hard-to-access crack repair | $30,000 to $50,000 |
Partial foundation stabilization by hydraulic piles | $18,000 to $20,000 |
Full foundation stabilization by hydraulic piles | $30,000 to $40,000 |
Source: Foundation Repair Project Cost: How much to budget in 2026?
French Drain
Project type | Price |
Installing a French drain (with excavation) | $15,000 to $25,000 |
Replacing a French drain and waterproofing foundations | $120 to $150 per foot |
Source: French Drain Cost: How much will you pay for yours in 2026?
Underpinning a House
Project type | Price (per foot) |
Costs related to underpinning the corner of a house | $450 per foot |
Adding foundations and underpinning a house | $1,100 per foot |
Source: Taking on a House With Underpinning Work: What to Know
Waterproofing
Project | Price (per foot) |
Waterproofing foundation walls | $90 to $150 per foot |
Source: Reasons, Methods, and Products to Waterproof Your Foundation
Exterior Staircases
Source: Handy-Pat
Item | Price |
Basic tools and materials for a small wrought iron staircase repair | $10 to $200 |
Individual spindle unit in iron | $10 to $35 |
Source: How to Fix Your Wrought Iron Staircase
Elevators
Source: Reno Quotes
Project | Price |
Residential elevator | $65,000 to $175,000 |
Source: How to Install a Residential Elevator for Persons with a Mobility Impairment
Exterior Masonry
Source: Maconnerie Setma inc
Type of masonry project | Price |
Repairing a bulging wall | About $20 to $65 per sq. ft. |
Rebricking a wall | About $20 to $50 per sq. ft. |
Straightforward rebricking (house without obstructions, windows, or complex insulation systems) | About $25 to $50 per sq. ft. |
Redoing masonry joints | About $10 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Average hourly rate of a mason | $85 to $109 per hour |
Foundation parging | About $4 to $7.50 per sq. ft. |
Source: Masonry Cost Guide: How much to budget in 2026 in Canada?
Exterior Cladding
Source: Refrigiration Blanchard
Cleaning Exterior Cladding
Project type | Price |
Buying a gas-fueled pressure washer | $400 to $2,000 |
Buying an electric pressure washer | $100 to $600 |
Renting a gas-fueled pressure washer | $100 to $200 per day |
Renting an electric pressure washer | $30 to $50 per day |
Source: How to Use a Pressure Washer
Exterior Cladding Materials
Type of exterior siding | Price per sq. ft. |
Vinyl exterior siding | $2.50 to $11 per sq. ft. |
Fibre cement panels | $5 to $15 per sq. ft. |
CanExel exterior siding (installation included) | $5 to $15 per sq. ft. |
Aluminum exterior siding | $4.50 to $12 per sq. ft. |
Suretouch (product only) | $8 to $15 per sq. ft. |
Wood siding | $10 to $25 per sq. ft. |
Acrylic coating and rendering (installation included) | $10 to $15 per sq. ft. |
Brick cladding | $25 to $55 per sq. ft. |
Source: The Ultimate Exterior Siding Cost Guide 2026: How much to budget?
Doors and Windows
Source: S.I.Majestic.inc.
Front Doors
Type of front door | Price (unit only) |
Steel front door | Between $200 and $3,000 |
Aluminum front door | Between $1,200 and $3,000 |
PVC front door | Between $450 and $3,000 |
Fibreglass front door | Between $900 and $3,000 |
Wood front door | Between $300 and $5,000 |
Front door installation | Between $400 and $800 |
Source: Front Door Prices: How much to budget in 2026?
Barn Doors
Barn accessory | Price (unit only) |
Barn door hardware (standard aluminum) | $100 to $200 |
Barn door hardware (stainless steel) | $100 to $350 |
Barn door hardware (brass) | $150 to $600 |
Barn door hardware (custom design) | $100 to $600 |
Standard lightweight door | $200 to $500 |
Custom doors with glass inserts | $400 to $800 |
Wood barn door | $200 to $1,200 |
Source: How to Install a Modern Interior Barn Door
Windows Types
Type of window | Price (unit only) |
Single-hung window | $200 to $900 |
Double-hung window | $400 to $1,100 |
Casement window | $350 to $1,200 |
Awning window | $400 to $1,000 |
Transom window | $500 to $1,200 |
Stationary window | $300 to $1,300 |
Bay window | $1,550 to $4,050 |
Bow window | $2,500 to $4,000 |
Arched window | $350 to $1,500 |
Sliding windows | $800 to $1,000 |
Source: 7 Different Window Styles to Consider for Your Home
Installing a Window
Window installation | Price (labour only) |
Full-frame installation | $500 to $1,500 per window |
Retrofit window installation | $300 to $850 per window (glass only) |
Storm window installation | $120 to $250 per window (glass only) |
Source: Cost to Install Windows: How much to budget in 2026?
Roofing
Source: Damapro inc.
Roofing Materials
Material | Price per sq. ft. (supplied and installed) |
Asphalt shingle roof | $6 to $12 per sq. ft. |
Aluminum roof | $13 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Prepainted galvanized steel roof | $13 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Copper / zinc roof | $13 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Wooden shingle roof | $15 to $25 per sq. ft. (cedar), $10 to $25 per sq. ft. (larch) |
TPO or EPDM roof | $11 to $16 per sq. ft. |
Gravel roof | $9 to $20 per sq. ft. |
Multilayer asphalt membrane roof | $9 to $10 per sq. ft. |
Recycled tire roofing | $12 to $40 per sq. ft. |
Green roof (including roofing material) | $15 to $48 per sq. ft. |
Rooftop terrace | Price |
Building permit for a roof terrace in Montreal | Approximately $160 |
Building a rooftop terrace | $15,000 to $40,000 |
Sources:
Soffits and Gutters
Type of work | Price (materials and labout) |
Vinyl gutter installation | $4 to $9 per foot |
PVC gutter installation | $3 to $10 per foot |
Galvanized steel gutter installation | $5 to $15 per foot |
Aluminum gutter installation | $5 to $13 per foot |
Copper gutter installation | $18 to $40 per foot |
Professional gutter maintenance | $150 to $400 |
Gutter guard installation | $1 to $5 per foot DIY, $8 to $28 per foot professional |
Installing soffits | $4 to $22 per foot |
Installing fascias | $10 to $25 per foot |
Source: The Ultimate Gutter Installation Cost Guide 2026: How much to budget?
Cornices
Project | Price |
Renovating a cornice | $10,000 to $70,000 |
Source: Advice from a Contractor to Renovate a Cornice Moulding
Insulation and Soundproofing
Source: Toiture & Isolation Provinciale inc.
Insulation Materials
Insulation type | Price per sq. ft. (supplied and installed) |
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) | $2 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) | $3 to $6 per sq. ft. |
Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam | $3 to $8 per sq. ft. |
Open-cell polyurethane foam | $3 per sq. ft. |
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) | $1.50 to $8 per sq. ft. |
Ecobill MD® (polystyrene microbeads) | $2 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Soybean oil-based foam | $3 to $6 per sq. ft. |
Rockwool | $1.40 to $5.90 per sq. ft. |
Fibreglass | $0.90 to $5.90 per sq. ft. |
Cellular glass | $4.20 per sq. ft. |
Cellulose | $1 per sq. ft. |
Hemp | $1 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Straw bale | $5 to $18 per sq. ft. |
Cotton | $1.50 to $3.50 per sq. ft. |
Cork | $0.70 per sq. ft. |
Source: The Ultimate Insulation Cost Guide: How much to budget in 2026?
Other Insulation Projects
Insulation project | Price |
Insulating an attic and bringing it up to code | $0.50 to $4 per sq. ft. |
A bag of cellulose insulation covering about 15 sq. ft. at R-50 | $15 to $17 |
Source: Materials and Techniques to Insulate an Attic
Soundproofing
Project | Price per sq. ft. (supplied and installed) |
Injecting cellulose in a new house | $1 to $3 per sq. ft. |
Injecting cellulose in a house that has already been built | $2 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Installing Rockwool | $1 to $3 per sq. ft. |
Installing acoustic panels | $20 to $35 per sq. ft. |
Acoustic membrane installed on the floors | $0.50 to $5 per sq. ft. |
Source: What are the best acoustic insulation methods?
Paint and Wallcoverings
Source: Reno Quotes
Paint
Paint product or job | Price |
Gallon of paint | $20 to $100 |
A salvaged gallon of paint | $20 to $30 |
200 sq. ft. room, 1 colour | $200 to $500 |
200 sq. ft. room, 2 colours | $340 to $800 |
200 sq. ft. room needing repairs, 1 colour | $300 to $700 |
300 sq. ft. room, 1 colour | $400 to $900 |
300 sq. ft. room, 2 colours | $400 to $1,000 |
300 sq. ft. room needing repairs, 1 colour | $400 to $900 |
Labour cost | $1 to $6 per sq. ft. |
Professional painter | $25 to $80 per hour |
Student house painter | $15 to $25 per hour |
Source: 2026 Price Guide: How much does it cost to paint a house?
Wallcovering Materials
Wallcovering | Price |
Paint | $25 and $100 per gallon |
Wallpaper | $70 to $150 per roll, plus $3 to $7 per sq. ft. installation |
Decorative panel | $20 to $200 per panel |
Wood and derivatives | $7 to $16 per sq. ft. |
Bricks and imitation bricks | $5 to $15 per sq. ft. |
Stone and imitation stone | $10 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Ceramic | $10 to $32 per sq. ft. |
Concrete | $14 to $15 per sq. ft. |
Sources:
Walls
Source: Rego Group Inc
Project | Price |
Creating an opening in a load-bearing wall | $1,500 to $3,000 |
Removing a load-bearing wall | $2,000 to $8,000 |
Source: How to Create An Opening in a Load Bearing Wall
Floors
Source: Reno Quotes
Sanding a Floor
Project | Price |
Renting a machine and doing it yourself | $30 to $100 per day |
Giving the job to a professional | $3 to $6 per sq. ft. |
Source: Sanding Hardwood Floors: How to Go About It the DIY Way
Types of Flooring Materials
Material | Material cost per sq. ft. | Installation cost per sq. ft. |
Hardwood, traditional | $2 to $17 per sq. ft. | $2.50 to $7 per sq. ft. |
Hardwood, exotic | $7 to $19.50 per sq. ft. | $2.50 to $7 per sq. ft. |
Engineered wood | $6 to $10 per sq. ft. | $3 to $11 per sq. ft. |
Bamboo | $4 to $14 per sq. ft. | $3.75 to $5.75 per sq. ft. |
Cork | $2.50 to $11 per sq. ft. | $2 to $10 per sq. ft. |
Ceramic tiles | $2 to $9 per sq. ft. | $4 to $32 per sq. ft. |
Porcelain tiles | $1 to $5 per sq. ft. | $6 to $20 per sq. ft. |
Natural stones | $6 to $15 per sq. ft. | $15 to $30 per sq. ft. |
Vinyl tiles | $1 to $9 per sq. ft. | $0.60 to $2 per sq. ft. |
Linoleum, rolls | $2.50 to $6 per sq. ft. | $0.60 to $1.50 per sq. ft. |
Linoleum, tiles | $6 or more per sq. ft. | $0.60 to $1.50 per sq. ft. |
Carpeting, glue-down | $3.50 to $6 per sq. ft. | $0.60 per sq. ft. |
Carpeting, loop or Berber | $3.50 to $6 per sq. ft. | $1 per sq. ft. |
Carpeting, with underlay | $3.50 to $6 per sq. ft. | $0.60 per sq. ft. |
Rubber | $2.50 to $14.50 per sq. ft. | $8 per sq. ft. |
Floating floor, low-end | $1.50 to $3 per sq. ft. | $1 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Floating floor, mid-range | $2.50 to $5 per sq. ft. | $1 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Floating floor, high-end | $4.50 to $12 per sq. ft. | $1 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Concrete, polished | $3.75 to $15 per sq. ft. (installed) | Included |
Concrete, stamped | $14.50 to $29 per sq. ft. (installed) | Included |
Epoxy | $3 to $12 per sq. ft. (installed) | Included |
Additional Flooring Costs
Item | Price per sq. ft. |
Soundproofing underlayment (mandatory in condos) | $0.50 to $5 per sq. ft. |
Carpet underlayment, if required | $0.60 to $1.50 per sq. ft. |
Flooring removal | $2 to $5 per sq. ft. |
Flooring refinishing (sanding, varnishing, staining) | $1 to $7 per sq. ft. |
Sources:
Building Permits, Tests, and Other Authorizations
Source: Unsplash
Most structural, plumbing, or electrical renovations require a permit from your municipality, and inspections may be required at several stages, each with its own fee. Requirements vary widely by municipality and by scope, so confirm before work is booked rather than after. Skipping a permit can result in fines, delays, and a discount at resale that far exceeds what the permit would have cost.
Type of permit, certificate, or service | Price |
Renovation or construction licence in Montreal | $9.80 per $1,000 of work, minimum $164.20 for a strictly residential building |
Municipal sewer connection | $2,500 to $9,000 |
Plan made by an architectural technologist | $1 to $3 per sq. ft. |
Location certificate | Approximately $1,580 |
Soil and water quality testing | $700 to $3,000 |
Hiring a construction cost estimator | $19 to $43 per hour |
If your project involves an architect, designer, or engineer, expect either a flat fee or a percentage of your total renovation cost. On projects involving structural change, engineered plans stamped by a licensed professional engineer typically run $2,500 to $4,500.
Source: Planning the Budget for Your Self-Build House Project
Project Size and Scenario Examples: How Costs Vary by Home Size and Condition
To better understand how renovation costs scale, consider these scenarios using the pricing data from our guide. Renovating a 1,000 sq. ft. unfinished basement could range from $70,000 to $100,000, based on the estimated $70 to $100 per square foot for basement finishing.
If you're updating an older home and need to replace the plumbing throughout, expect approximately $50,000 to $250,000 for a full pipe replacement, as costs are estimated at $50 to $250 per linear foot.
For a more extensive project, such as adding a 300 sq. ft. lateral extension, you might spend between $60,000 and $150,000, with lateral extensions typically priced at $200 to $500 per square foot.
These examples show how the total budget varies with the size of the area being renovated and the complexity of the work involved.
Additional and Hidden Costs: What to Expect Beyond the Basics
It's easy to focus on the visible expenses such as materials, labour, and major fixtures. These are the extras that most often surprise homeowners.
Permits and Inspections
Most structural, plumbing, or electrical renovations require permits from your local municipality. Fees vary widely depending on scope and location, and skipping them can result in costly fines or delays. Inspections may also be required at various stages, with their own associated fees.
Design and Professional Fees
If your project involves an architect, designer, or engineer, expect either a flat fee or a percentage of your total renovation cost.
Taxes
Don't forget to include sales tax (such as GST/HST) on materials and services, which can add a significant amount to your final bill.
Unforeseen or Contingency Costs
No matter how well you plan, surprises like outdated wiring, water damage, or structural issues can arise once work begins. Set aside at least 10% to 15% of your budget to cover them.
Older homes carry the highest risk. Asbestos abatement, mould remediation, outdated plumbing, and structural reinforcements are all common discoveries once walls come down. Debris removal and dumping fees are also frequently excluded from an initial quote.
Regional Price Variations
Renovation costs differ significantly across Canada. Homeowners in British Columbia and Ontario often encounter higher prices than those in Alberta, due to differences in local labour rates, material availability, and demand for skilled trades. Even within a province, urban centres typically cost more than rural communities.
Other Potential Extras
Temporary accommodations if your home becomes unlivable during renovations
Storage fees for furniture or belongings
Utility connection or disconnection charges
Additional insurance coverage during construction
How to Save on Renovation Costs
Most renovation savings are decided before anyone picks up a tool. Once demolition starts, your only options are cheaper materials or less scope. The decisions that genuinely reduce spend happen during planning, and most cost nothing to make.
Scoping Decisions That Reduce Spend
Ask whether anything actually needs replacing. A roof with damage around a vent stack or a failed section of flashing can often be repaired for a fraction of a full replacement, and the same applies to siding, decks, and fences. Have a contractor price both paths, and ask how many years the repair buys you. If the material is near the end of its life, repairing twice costs more than replacing once.
Salvage what's sound. Solid cabinet boxes, solid-core doors, hardwood, and quality fixtures are worth keeping, and demolition crews will bin them unless you say otherwise. Refinishing existing hardwood runs $1 to $7 per square foot against $2 to $17 in materials plus installation for new, so a decent floor under old carpet is often the cheapest upgrade in the house.
Phasing across two or three seasons spreads the cash flow and lets you revise the plan as you go. Phase by area, not by trade, since bringing an electrician back four times costs more than bringing them once. And book interior work for late fall or winter, when trades are quietest and pricing reflects it.
Where the Biggest Savings Actually Happen
Kitchens and bathrooms consume the largest share of most budgets, roughly 10% and 5% of a home's value respectively, so decisions in these two rooms move your total more than everything else combined.
Keeping the plumbing in place is the single largest saving available. Relocating a sink, toilet, or stove means opening floors and walls, rerouting supply and drainage, and patching finishes you never intended to touch. At plumber rates of $42 to $180 per hour plus the finishing work that follows, one moved fixture adds thousands. A kitchen that keeps its existing service locations can cost close to half what the same kitchen costs with a relocated island.
Refacing cabinets delivers most of the visible change at a fraction of replacement cost, provided the boxes are sound. Cabinet pricing in this guide runs $10 to $120 per foot, so the spread is substantial.
Spend on what people see. Countertops, backsplash, and flooring determine how a room reads. Interior organizers, premium appliance packages, and specialty fixtures rarely get noticed. The same holds for material grade: laminate to quartz changes a kitchen, mid-range quartz to rare stone does not.
Existing fixtures often have life left too. Reglazing a sound bathtub or replacing only a vanity top can modernize a bathroom for a few hundred dollars.
Where Not to Cut Costs
Some economies reliably cost more than they save.
Anything behind the walls: Framing, waterproofing, electrical, and plumbing are invisible once finished and expensive to correct, because fixing them means undoing everything installed on top. Saving 10% on the trade you cannot inspect is the worst trade in a renovation.
Permits: Appraisers discount unpermitted work heavily, unapproved space may not count toward square footage, and insurers can decline related claims. The permit costs less than skipping it.
The contingency fund: That 10% to 15% exists because older homes hide asbestos, mould, and rot behind finished surfaces. A project that stalls halfway costs more to restart than to finish.
The contractor: The lowest bid usually means narrower scope or exclusions you'll meet later as change orders. Compare what quotes include, not what they total, and treat an outlier low bid as a question rather than a saving.
Design work on complex projects: Resolving a layout on paper is far cheaper than changing it once framing is up.
A Pre-Construction Checklist
Work through this before demolition begins, because every item on it becomes more expensive to address once it has started.
Set a target budget and add 10% to 15% for contingency
Finalize the design and layout, confirming which services stay in place
Select and price every finish and fixture, including hardware and paint colours
Request three itemized quotes covering demolition, disposal, permits, and cleanup
Confirm who pulls permits and which inspections are required at which stages
Decide which tasks you will handle yourself and schedule them around the trades
Verify contractor licensing, insurance, and written warranty terms
Agree on a payment schedule tied to completed milestones rather than calendar dates
Change orders after demolition are the most expensive dollars in any renovation. They interrupt scheduling, frequently mean undoing finished work, and are priced without competitive pressure because you are no longer in a position to get another quote.
Which renovations add the most value?
Return on investment measures how much of your spend comes back in resale value. It is a recovery figure, not profit: a 75% ROI means every dollar spent raises your home's value by roughly 75 cents. Very few renovations return more than 100% of their cost.
Renovations fall into three groups that behave differently at resale:
Value-adding: Kitchens, bathrooms, and finished basements raise what a buyer will pay, because they change how a buyer perceives the whole house.
Value-protecting: A new roof, updated wiring, or a dry basement rarely earn a premium, but their absence is something buyers price against you, usually by more than the repair would have cost.
Livability: A home office, walk-in closet, or media room may recover very little, and that's fine if you'll use it for years.
The mistake is assuming every dollar creates equity.
Renovations That Add Value
Renovation | Typical cost recovery |
Kitchen renovation | 75% to 100% |
Bathroom renovation | 50% to 100% |
Interior paint | 60% to 100% |
Basement finishing | 50% to 80% |
Windows and exterior doors | 50% to 75% |
Curb appeal and landscaping | Helps the home sell faster more than it raises appraised value |
The Appraisal Institute of Canada consistently ranks kitchens and bathrooms at the top. Adding a legal secondary suite, where zoning and lot allow it, is often the highest-return project available to a Canadian homeowner, because it converts existing square footage into income.
Why Mid-Range Renovations Beat Luxury Ones
A mid-range bathroom renovation at $15,000 to $35,000, meaning a new vanity, tile, fixtures, and lighting, typically recovers 70% to 85%. A luxury gut of the same bathroom recovers considerably less. Three mechanisms explain that curve:
Appraisers value against comparable sales: A finish level no comparable home on the street supports has nothing to anchor to, so much of the spend isn't reflected.
Most of the value sits in the jump from dated to current: Going from a 1985 bathroom to a 2026 one changes a buyer's impression of the whole house. Going from current to high-end changes very little.
Buyers pay for move-in readiness, not finish level: Condition and the absence of work they'll have to do drives price more than premium materials.
If your budget covers a luxury renovation of one room or mid-range renovations of two, the two will usually recover more.
Renovations That Protect Value
Repairs | Effect at resale |
Roof replacement | 50% to 80% recovery, but a visibly failing roof invites a much larger price reduction |
Electrical panel and rewiring | Little direct return; outdated wiring can affect insurability |
Foundation and drainage repair | Rarely adds value; visible water damage reduces offers sharply |
Furnace and HVAC replacement | Moderate return, plus lower operating costs while you live there |
Insulation and air sealing | Modest return, plus immediate energy savings |
Buyers subtract for problems more aggressively than they add for improvements. A roof they'll need to replace in two years becomes a full-price deduction in their offer, not a proportional one.
Renovations That Can Lower Resale Appeal
Some projects are worse than a poor return. They narrow your buyer pool.
Renovation | Why it hurts |
Removing a bedroom | Appraisal value is tied to bedroom count more tightly than to almost any other feature. A three-bedroom that becomes a two-bedroom drops into a lower value bracket entirely |
Converting the garage | Canadian winters make covered parking something buyers actively filter for, and appraisers rarely credit the converted square footage the way they would an addition |
In-ground pool | Recovers roughly 25% to 35%, and the short swim season, maintenance, insurance, and safety concerns can reduce buyer interest rather than increase it |
Removing the only bathtub | A shower-only home loses buyers with young children |
Over-personalized finishes | Bold cabinetry colours, themed rooms, and built-ins sized around your furniture all read as work to undo |
Carpeting over hardwood | Rarely recovered, and frequently held against the property |
Unpermitted work | Appraisers discount it heavily, and unapproved finished space may not count toward square footage at all |
Visibly amateur workmanship | DIY a buyer or inspector can identify creates doubt about everything they can't see |
The test before committing: would most buyers want this, or would they undo it?
A Simple Rule for Deciding Whether a Renovation Pays
Cap your total spend: Keep renovation costs to 10% to 15% of your home's current market value, unless you're in a premium neighbourhood where the ceiling is higher.
Match the neighbourhood, don't exceed it: The most expensive house on the block has the hardest time appreciating, because there are no higher-priced comparables to pull its value up.
Set aside 1% a year for maintenance: Homeowners who do this rarely face the deferred-maintenance discount, which is where most resale value actually disappears.
If you're renovating to live in the home rather than to sell it, ROI is the wrong measure entirely. Spend on what you'll use daily.
Building Your Renovation Budget
The most reliable way to budget a renovation is to build it from the parts. Measure the space, price each component from the tables above, add 10% to 15% for contingency, then add permits, design fees, and taxes.
What moves the number most is rarely the finish level. It's square footage, whether plumbing and electrical stay where they are, and what demolition uncovers in an older home. Comparing three itemized quotes from local contractors is what turns an estimate into a budget.
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