A kitchen renovation is part construction project, part logistics exercise. The construction is our job; this guide is about helping you make the decisions that determine whether the project feels smooth or stressful.
Start with the budget bands
In the GTA, kitchen renovations cluster into three bands:
- Refresh ($15,000–$30,000): same layout, new counters, backsplash, paint, lighting and possibly cabinet refacing. Two to three weeks of work.
- Full renovation ($35,000–$70,000): gut to the studs, new cabinetry, counters, flooring, lighting and appliances, layout largely unchanged. Four to six weeks.
- Layout transformation ($70,000+): walls removed, islands added, plumbing and gas relocated, structural beams engineered. Six to ten weeks.
Cabinetry is typically 30–40% of any kitchen budget, which is why cabinet decisions move the total more than anything else.
The layout decisions that matter
The work triangle still works. Sink, stove and fridge should form a comfortable triangle without traffic crossing through it.
Islands need clearance. Plan a minimum 42" of walkway around an island; 48" where two people pass or appliances open. A too-big island is the most common DIY-design mistake we correct.
Think in zones. Prep, cook, clean, store, serve. Map where each happens and storage decisions get easier — garbage pullout near prep, dishware near the dishwasher.
Lighting is layered. Pot lights for ambient, under-cabinet for task, pendants for the island. A kitchen lit by one ceiling fixture will feel dated no matter what you spend on stone.
The order of operations
Renovations go wrong in the gaps between trades. The correct sequence: demolition → structural changes → plumbing and electrical rough-in → inspection → drywall → flooring → cabinetry → counter templating (then a 7–10 day wait for stone) → backsplash → fixtures and appliances → paint and finishing.
The single best thing you can do for your timeline: have everything ordered and confirmed before demolition starts. A kitchen waiting three weeks on a backordered faucet is three weeks of takeout.
Permits
You'll generally need a permit when removing or altering walls, moving plumbing drains, or adding new electrical circuits beyond like-for-like replacement. Cosmetic work — cabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring — typically doesn't require one. A good contractor tells you which side of the line your project sits on before quoting.
Surviving without a kitchen
Set up a temporary station: microwave, kettle, air fryer, and the fridge relocated nearby. Ask your contractor to restore the sink as early as the sequence allows. Plan simple meals for weeks two and three — that's the gap where every family hits the wall.
Ready to talk specifics? Request a free quote and we'll review your layout, your budget band, and the lead times for everything you'd be ordering.