The short answer
Most kitchen remodels we build in Durham Region start around $13,500 and commonly run to about $40,500. Custom kitchens with premium cabinetry, stone counters and high-end appliances can reach $54,000 or more. Most kitchens take about 2 to 3 weeks on site.
Kitchen renovation price ranges in Durham
Kitchen costs vary more than almost any other room, because the same footprint can be a cabinet-and-counter refresh or a full layout change with new plumbing, electrical and structure. These are the ranges we see on our own Durham Region projects:
| Scope | Typical range | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Starting around $13,500 | New cabinets or refacing, laminate or entry quartz counters, backsplash, sink and faucet, same layout |
| Full remodel | Commonly up to about $40,500 | New semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, new lighting, flooring, some electrical and plumbing changes |
| Custom kitchen | $54,000 and up | Custom cabinetry to the ceiling, large islands, stone slabs, panel-ready appliances, layout changes or wall removal |
These are typical ranges for planning, not a quote. Your written estimate is itemized for your home after a free site visit and design.
Where the money goes in a kitchen remodel
This is a rough split for a typical kitchen project. Cabinets are usually the single biggest line.
| Where the money goes in a kitchen remodel | Typical share |
|---|---|
| Cabinets and hardware | 30% |
| Labour and installation | 20% |
| Appliances | 12% |
| Countertops | 12% |
| Plumbing, electrical and lighting | 10% |
| Flooring and backsplash | 8% |
| Design, permits and disposal | 8% |
What makes a kitchen expensive
- Cabinetry. Custom sizes, full-height uppers, deep drawers and soft-close hardware add up fast.
- Moving plumbing, gas or venting. Relocating the sink, range or hood means opening floors and walls, new drain slopes and often a new vent path.
- Structural changes. Opening a wall can need an engineered beam, posts and a permit before a single cabinet goes in.
- Electrical upgrades. Older homes often need new circuits, more outlets, under-cabinet lighting and panel capacity for wall ovens or induction.
- Stone counters and premium appliances. Waterfall edges, big slabs and panel-ready appliances carry a real premium.
Smart ways to spend less on a kitchen
- Keep the layout. If the sink, range and fridge stay put, you skip most of the plumbing, gas and venting work.
- Mix cabinet levels. Use semi-custom boxes and spend on what you touch daily: drawers, pulls and the island.
- Pick one showpiece. A statement island or backsplash goes further than upgrading everything a little.
- Choose materials by use. Quartz where you prep, a more modest surface elsewhere. Our kitchen materials comparison shows cost and durability side by side.
Where not to cut: waterproofing under the sink, proper electrical, good drawer hardware and an installer who levels the cabinets properly. Those are the things you notice every day.
Do you need a permit for a kitchen renovation?
Not always. Replacing cabinets, counters and flooring usually doesn’t need one. Moving plumbing, adding circuits or removing walls generally does. Each Durham municipality issues its own permits; our Durham permit guide covers the rules town by town, and we handle the application as part of the job.
How long a kitchen renovation takes
Most kitchens take about 2 to 3 weeks on site, plus lead time for cabinets and counters. Counters are templated after the cabinets go in, so there’s usually a gap of several days between cabinets and the final countertop. A good contractor orders long-lead items early so the crew isn’t waiting on deliveries.
