A full home renovation in Oakville, Burlington, or Toronto typically costs between $25,000 and $200,000+ depending on the scope of work, materials, and complexity. Whether you’re updating a single room or gutting an entire house, understanding what drives renovation costs will help you budget accurately and avoid surprises. In this guide, we break down real pricing for every major renovation type so you can plan with confidence.
Quick Cost Summary: Home Renovation in the GTA (2026)
Here’s what homeowners across Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, and Toronto are paying this year for the most common renovation projects:
| Renovation Type | Average Cost | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Renovation | $25,000 – $75,000+ | 6 – 12 weeks |
| Bathroom Renovation | $15,000 – $45,000 | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Basement Finishing | $30,000 – $80,000 | 8 – 14 weeks |
| Whole Home Renovation | $100,000 – $300,000+ | 4 – 8 months |
| Home Addition | $150,000 – $400,000+ | 4 – 10 months |
| Condo Renovation | $20,000 – $60,000 | 4 – 10 weeks |
Note: These prices include design, materials, labour, and project management. Prices reflect the Greater Toronto Area as of early 2026 and vary based on finishes and site conditions.
Kitchen Renovation Costs
The kitchen is the most renovated room in Canadian homes and the one with the widest cost range. What you spend depends largely on whether you’re refreshing the existing layout or doing a full gut-and-rebuild with structural changes.
| Kitchen Renovation Scope | Cost Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $10,000 – $20,000 | Cabinet refacing, new countertops, backsplash, paint, hardware |
| Mid-range renovation | $25,000 – $50,000 | New cabinets, quartz countertops, tile backsplash, new flooring, updated lighting |
| High-end renovation | $50,000 – $75,000 | Custom cabinetry, premium appliances, waterfall island, structural changes, designer finishes |
| Full luxury with addition | $75,000 – $120,000+ | Open-concept conversion, premium everything, smart home integration, custom millwork |
Where the money goes in a kitchen renovation:
- Cabinets: 30-40% of total budget
- Countertops: 10-15%
- Labour: 20-30%
- Appliances: 10-15%
- Flooring, backsplash, fixtures: 10-15%
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, we offer free design consultations to help you understand exactly where your budget will go.
Bathroom Renovation Costs
Bathrooms deliver some of the highest ROI of any renovation, especially ensuites and main bathrooms. The cost depends heavily on whether you’re keeping the existing plumbing layout or reconfiguring everything.
| Bathroom Renovation Scope | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Powder room update | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Standard bathroom renovation | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Primary ensuite renovation | $25,000 – $45,000 |
| Luxury spa bathroom | $40,000 – $65,000+ |
Key cost drivers in bathroom renovations:
- Tile: Large format porcelain ($8-$15/sq ft installed) vs natural stone ($20-$40/sq ft installed)
- Vanity: Stock ($500-$1,500) vs custom floating ($2,500-$6,000)
- Shower: Standard alcove ($2,000-$4,000) vs frameless glass walk-in ($5,000-$10,000)
- Plumbing relocation: Moving a drain or supply line adds $2,000-$5,000
Get a clearer picture of your bathroom renovation costs with a free in-home consultation.
Basement Renovation Costs
Finishing a basement is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home. It adds livable square footage at a fraction of what a home addition costs. In the GTA, a properly finished basement can add $50,000-$100,000+ to your home’s value.
| Basement Renovation Scope | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Basic finish (open concept, drywall, flooring, pot lights) | $25,000 – $40,000 |
| Mid-range (separate rooms, bathroom, kitchenette) | $40,000 – $65,000 |
| High-end (home theatre, wet bar, luxury bathroom, bedroom) | $65,000 – $100,000+ |
| Legal basement apartment (separate entrance, full kitchen, fire separation) | $80,000 – $120,000+ |
Common basement renovation add-ons and their costs:
- 3-piece bathroom: $8,000 – $15,000
- Wet bar with sink: $5,000 – $12,000
- Separate entrance (walkout or side): $10,000 – $25,000
- Egress window (code requirement for bedrooms): $3,000 – $6,000
- Underpinning (lowering the floor): $50,000 – $100,000+
Explore our basement renovation services to see how we approach basement projects from permits through to final finishes.
Whole Home Renovation Costs
A full custom home renovation typically involves gutting the interior, updating all mechanical systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), reconfiguring layouts, and finishing every room. This is the most complex type of renovation and requires careful project management.
| Whole Home Scope | Cost per Sq Ft | 1,500 Sq Ft Home | 2,500 Sq Ft Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-range finishes | $75 – $120/sq ft | $112,000 – $180,000 | $187,000 – $300,000 |
| High-end finishes | $120 – $200/sq ft | $180,000 – $300,000 | $300,000 – $500,000 |
| Luxury/custom | $200 – $350+/sq ft | $300,000 – $525,000 | $500,000+ |
What’s typically included in a whole home renovation:
- Complete demolition and disposal
- Structural modifications (removing walls, adding beams)
- Full electrical rewiring to current code
- Plumbing updates or relocation
- New HVAC system or upgrades
- All new drywall, trim, paint, flooring
- Kitchen and bathrooms built from scratch
- New doors, windows, and hardware
Home Addition Costs
When renovating isn’t enough and you need more space, a home addition is the next step. Additions are priced per square foot and vary significantly based on whether you’re going up (second storey) or out (ground-level extension).
| Addition Type | Cost per Sq Ft | Typical Total |
|---|---|---|
| Ground floor extension | $200 – $350/sq ft | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Second storey addition | $250 – $400/sq ft | $150,000 – $400,000 |
| Garage conversion | $100 – $200/sq ft | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Sunroom / 3-season room | $150 – $300/sq ft | $50,000 – $120,000 |
Why additions cost more per square foot than renovations:
- New foundation or structural reinforcement required
- Building permits and engineering fees ($5,000 – $15,000)
- Exterior finishing (siding, roofing, windows) to match existing home
- HVAC extension to service the new space
What Factors Affect Your Renovation Cost?
Beyond the type of renovation, several factors move your final price up or down:
1. Material Selection
This is the single biggest variable. Stock cabinets vs custom, laminate vs quartz, builder-grade tile vs imported porcelain. Material choices alone can swing a kitchen renovation by $20,000 or more. Our design solutions team helps you find the right balance of quality and budget.
2. Permit Requirements
Most structural, electrical, and plumbing work in Ontario requires building permits. Permit fees in the GTA typically run $500-$3,000 depending on scope. Skipping permits can create serious problems when you sell your home.
3. Site Conditions
Older homes in Oakville, Burlington, and Toronto often have surprises behind the walls: knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos, outdated plumbing, or structural issues. Budget 10-15% as a contingency for the unexpected.
4. Location Within the GTA
Renovation costs vary by municipality due to permit fees, contractor travel, and local market conditions:
| Location | Relative Cost |
|---|---|
| Oakville | Base (our home market) |
| Burlington | Similar to Oakville |
| Mississauga | 5-10% higher (permit costs) |
| Toronto | 10-20% higher (parking, access, permit timeline) |
5. Timeline and Season
Rushing a project increases costs. Booking during winter months (January-March) is often 5-10% cheaper as it’s the slower season for renovations. Plan ahead and you can save significantly.
How to Budget for Your Renovation
- Define your scope clearly before getting quotes. “Renovate the kitchen” means different things to different people. The more specific you are, the more accurate your quotes will be.
- Set aside 10-15% contingency. Every renovation uncovers something unexpected. Having a buffer prevents stressful budget overruns.
- Get 3 detailed quotes. Compare line by line, not just totals. The cheapest quote often excludes things the others include.
- Understand what’s included. Does the quote cover design, permits, disposal, and project management? Or just labour and materials?
- Prioritize where you spend. Invest in things that are hard to change later (layout, plumbing, electrical, windows) and save on things that are easy to upgrade (paint, hardware, light fixtures).
What to Look for in a Renovation Contractor
Your contractor is the single most important decision you’ll make. Here’s what to verify:
- Licensed and insured with full liability coverage and WSIB
- Detailed written contract that specifies scope, materials, timeline, and payment schedule
- Portfolio of completed projects similar in scope to yours
- References you can actually contact from recent local projects
- Clear communication process with a dedicated project manager
- No large upfront deposits. Progress-based payments tied to milestones are the industry standard
Red Stone Contracting has been Oakville’s trusted renovation company since 2001. We serve Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, and the entire GTA with transparent pricing, professional project management, and a commitment to delivering results that exceed expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full home renovation take?
Do I need a building permit for my renovation in Ontario?
What renovation adds the most value to a home?
Can I live in my home during a renovation?
How much should I budget for unexpected costs?
Do you offer free estimates?
Ready to Start Your Renovation?
Getting an accurate price starts with a conversation. Our team will visit your home, understand your goals, and provide a detailed estimate with no surprises.
Call us: (905) 901-1006
Or: Book a free consultation online
Red Stone Contracting has been the GTA’s trusted renovation company since 2001. From kitchen and bathroom renovations to complete home transformations, we deliver professional results on time and on budget.