What a kitchen renovation costs in Vancouver
Reno Stars, a Vancouver renovation company, prices a cosmetic kitchen refresh at $25,000 to $40,000 in 2026. Replacing only the cabinets is a smaller job: the layout, plumbing, wiring and walls stay as they are.
| Type of renovation | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| New Nestline cabinets, same layout | Cabinets $3,800 to $6,700; about $5,500 to $9,100 with an installer |
| Cosmetic refresh by a renovation company | $25,000 to $40,000 |
| Mid-range full renovation | $40,000 to $80,000 |
| Premium renovation | $80,000 to $150,000 |
Installation: HomeStars lists cabinet installation jobs in Vancouver at $1,700 to $2,400, with an average of $2,050 (HomeStars cost data, collected in 2021). Many Nestline owners install the cabinets themselves with the free install guide.
Example: cabinets in the middle of the Nestline range ($5,250) plus an installer at that average ($2,050) comes to about $7,300 before the countertop, sink and backsplash.
Why start with the cabinets
Cabinets cover more of your kitchen than anything else you see, so replacing them changes the whole room. Keeping the same layout means the sink, stove and dishwasher stay where the plumbing, gas and power already are. No walls are opened and no other trades have to work around each other.
| What changes | What stays |
|---|---|
| Cabinet boxes, doors and drawers | The layout of the kitchen |
| Hinges, slides and handles | Plumbing and gas lines |
| Often the countertop, sink and backsplash | Wiring and outlets |
| Pantry and storage | Walls and windows |
Step by step: a cabinet-first kitchen renovation
Measure and take photos
Measure each wall where cabinets go and take a wide photo, the sink wall and the stove wall. The install guide shows how.
Get a price range and pick a door
Send the photos and rough sizes for a first price range the same day. Hold a sample door before you decide.
Check the 3D layout
Jason draws the new kitchen in 3D, free, and checks every measurement with you before ordering.
Plan the countertop
Countertops are usually measured once the base cabinets are in, so line up your countertop company early.
Take delivery
The cabinets arrive assembled, checked and labelled by wall.
Swap the cabinets
Remove the old cabinets, then install the new ones yourself, with a handyman or with a local installer.
Finish the kitchen
Countertop, sink, backsplash and handles go on last.
When you need a full renovation contractor
Nestline designs, supplies and delivers the cabinets. If your plan moves the sink or stove, removes a wall, or adds circuits, you need licensed trades and possibly a permit from your city. In that case, Nestline cabinets can still be the cabinets your contractor installs.
- Moving plumbing, gas or electrical: hire licensed trades and check permits first.
- Opening or moving walls: talk to a general contractor.
- Same layout, new look: new cabinets are usually all you need.
Renovating outside Vancouver?
The same approach works anywhere in BC. Jason delivers door to door anywhere in BC on planned delivery runs. See the service areas.
