Kitchen Renovation Costs Waterloo: What should you expect? In this article, we’ll take a look at the average cost for a kitchen renovation in Waterloo and how much you should expect to budget for each component.
At Graham’s & Son Interiors, we have over 40 years of experience in the home decorating and renovation business. We are locally owned and operated – so we know Waterloo and what you should expect to pay for any home renovation. We’re happy to share our expertise with you!
Today, we’ll provide a thorough budget breakdown, the average costs for a kitchen renovation in Waterloo, tips for saving on your reno, and more. Let’s get started now!
Jump To:
Kitchen Renovation Costs Waterloo: All You Need To Know
Ready to renovate? Homeowners are sometimes surprised by kitchen renovation costs – so it’s important to go in with a realistic budget. On average, a full kitchen remodel costs somewhere between $25,000 – $50,000 CAD. However, costs can vary quite a bit depending on a number of factors, including:
- How large (or small) your kitchen is
- If you plan to move plumbing (moving plumbing can add significant costs)
- The quality of your new fixtures (cabinets, countertops, etc.)
- If you choose to buy new appliances or use your existing ones
- Whether you choose to replace cabinets or reface cabinets
- If you choose to DIY (partially or completely) or work with professionals
Though costs will vary due to the size and layout of your kitchen and quality of new fixtures, furniture, and appliances – you should still prepare to budget at least $25,000 if you want a high-quality renovation.
You may not use up all of your budget, especially if you get great deals on things like new appliances or choose to, for example, get laminate countertops instead of marble or quartz. However, it’s always better create a bigger budget and not need to use it than to under-budget and end up cutting corners to save costs down the road.
To see exactly where most homeowners’ budgets typically go during a kitchen renovation, see our budget breakdown below.
Kitchen Renovation Costs Waterloo - Budget Breakdown
For the average kitchen renovation in the Waterloo area, homeowners can expect their budget breakdown to look something like this:
- 30% – Kitchen Cabinets
- 10% – Countertops
- 5% – Flooring
- 14% – Appliances
- 5% – Plumbing
- 5% – Electrical
- 20-35% – Labour
- Remainder – Unexpected costs
More than half of your kitchen renovation costs will likely go towards new kitchen cabinets and labour. Some people are hesitant when they see how much of their budget goes towards labour – but don’t see this as wasted money!
Why Labour Costs Are Worth It - DIY vs Professional Reno
If you have a small kitchen renovation budget, you may be tempted to try to DIY all or most of your kitchen renovation. Lots of YouTube videos and online guides make it look easy for the average homeowner to complete a DIY kitchen renovation.
The truth is, some kitchen renovation projects may be easy for the average homeowner – painting your cabinets, installing new appliances, and for those with a bit more experience, even installing new countertops may be possible.
However, for the vast majority of homeowners, and entire kitchen renovation would be a huge challenge to not only complete – but to complete properly.
A kitchen renovation is an extremely complex project. In order to get a high-quality renovation, and in turn a high-quality kitchen, you will need expertise in plumbing, electrical, flooring installation, cabinetry and countertop installation, design, and more.
Working with professionals ensures that your renovation is done properly and ensures you end up with an attractive and functional kitchen. Choosing to work with a contractor also keeps you safe from common DIY dangers – such as electrical hazards.
When you work with an experienced team of renovators, you will end up with the kitchen you’ve always wanted. And although a kitchen renovation is quite a large investment, a high-quality renovation can increase your home’s value! Some experts even say it can boost value by more than 12%!
Not only that, but if you plan to sell your home any time in the future, home buyers often look for attractive and functional kitchens with energy efficient appliances, eat-in style kitchens, and hardwood floors. Your kitchen renovation can boost your home’s value and make it easier for you to sell.
Average Costs For Common Kitchen Renovation Features
In this section, we’ll take a more thorough look at the most common features homeowners choose to include in their kitchen renovation, including cabinets and countertops, flooring, and appliances.
Cabinets: $2,000 - $8,000 | Countertops: $2,000 - $4,000
Lowest End For Both: $1,500 | High End For Both: 15,000+
Kitchen cabinets and countertops are one of the very first things homeowners look at when planning their renovation. New countertops and cabinets often go hand-in-hand, and many homeowners want to ensure that they match in both looks, style, and price point.
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, you can expect to spend on average between $2,000 – $8,000. The cost can vary depending on whether you choose to fully replace your cabinets or simply reface them. Generally, refacing will cost much less since you are only paying for new cabinet doors and not new boxes.
Refacing can end up saving you thousands of dollars – so if your cabinets are still in great shape but just have an outdated style refacing may be the best choice for you.
As for countertops, you can expect to pay a bit less than you will for your cabinets. Countertops will typically cost between $2,000 – $4,000 for the average kitchen. For counters, the cost will very much depend on the material you end up choosing.
For example, laminate countertops can cost as little as $800. Although laminate may have had a bad rap in the past, modern laminate counters are attractive and durable. On the higher end of things, Corian, solid surface, quartz, marble, and other stone countertops can cost up to $5,000.
If you are having trouble determining the right materials or choices for your cabinets and countertops, a professional renovation company can help you pick the right option for your unique kitchen and budget.
Flooring: $500 - $4,500
Lowest End: Linoleum & Cork | Highest End: Hardwood & Marble
Most homeowners choose to replace their flooring when they complete a whole kitchen renovation. If you have outdated or damaged flooring in your kitchen, it may look a bit strange when you install brand new cabinets, counters, appliances, and more! Because of this, most homeowners budget for new flooring.
Fortunately, new flooring is not usually as expensive as people may think. On average, you are probably looking to spend around $1,500 – $2,000. For the highest end options (high-end laminate, hardwood floors, and some tiles such as marble), you may spend $4,500 or more.
In general, you choose from the following list of flooring materials:
Laminate Flooring: $1,500 - $4,500
Laminate is a popular option for kitchen flooring. It is moisture resistant and modern. Laminate can almost perfectly mimic hardwood in both style and even texture. Laminate nowadays is not the flimsy stuff of the past.However, because of this, high-quality laminate may cost more than hardwood! So keep in mind that laminate does not necessarily mean a cheaper price.
Hardwood Flooring: $1,500 - $3,000
Hardwood floors are traditional, beautiful, and will add a natural look to your new kitchen. However, they are not naturally moisture resistant and may scratch, so it’s important to take proper care to ensure they last a long time. You may have to regularly seal your floors and eventually sand them down if they end up with lots of scratches.
Marble, Concrete, Slate: $1,500 - $4,000
Another high-end option that can give a natural look in your kitchen, tile floors such as marble, concrete, slate and similar options are all moisture-resistant and can handle a high-traffic area such as your kitchen. However, because they are stone, they may not be comfortable on your feet if you are standing and cooking a big meal for your family. It might be a good idea to invest in some attractive mats in to place in front of cabinets and sink areas if you choose to go with harder flooring material.
Vinyl Flooring: $800 - $1,000
Vinyl flooring is a popular and relatively cost-effective choice for kitchens and bathrooms. It’s water-resistant, which makes it ideal for moist environments. It is also very easy to clean, and softer to the touch – so it won’t hurt your feet if you are standing to cook for a while. Some people confuse vinyl with laminate, but vinyl and laminate are different materials. You can learn more about these differences as well as the pros and cons of both here.
Linoleum & Cork: $500 - $800
If you want to splurge in other areas of your kitchen renovation but save in the floor department, both linoleum and cork flooring are very cost-effective options. Linoleum costs around $800 on average and, although it may be seen as a flooring option of the past, it is making a comeback and now comes in attractive patterns and modern styles! Cork is a highly environmentally friendly option, which is perfect for those that are looking to complete an eco-friendly renovation.
Choosing the right kind of flooring for you will depend on your unique style preferences, your budget, and other things that may be important to you – such as material hardness, scratch-resistance, and even how eco-friendly each flooring option is.
As well, it’s important to keep in mind that you might have to redo your flooring during a renovation. For example, if you are moving appliances or cabinetry, or installing a new kitchen layout, you may be surprised to find that your current floor boards or tiles stop before your cabinets or appliances – and there may not be the same flooring beneath!
Appliances: $200 - $10,000+
Small appliances may cost less than $1,000 | All new appliances may cost $10,000+
Wondering how appliances can cost anywhere from $200 to over $10,000? Well, the cost greatly depends on what appliances you are replacing, how many appliances you are buying, and the quality of appliances you choose.
For the average kitchen renovation, the new appliances most homeowners will buy are usually going to include dishwashers, fridges, stoves, and microwaves. The installation fees for new appliances range between $100 – $300 per appliance. Appliances account for a fairly large portion of the average reno budget – approximately 14% on average.
However, the average cost accounts for average appliances. If you choose to go with more eco-friendly options or higher-end appliances, such as EnergyStar products, you can expect to pay more. EnergyStar products range in price from $300 – $3000 depending on the appliance.
Although EnergyStar products may cost a bit more, they are still generally affordable for most homeowners and will help you save money in the long run! As well, they are one of the things that new homeowners look for when buying a home.
Kitchen Renovations Waterloo - Our Services
Cabinets/Countertops
During your free in-home consultation, we can help you go through all of the counter and cabinet options available. We understand that cabinets and counters are an important part of any kitchen renovation. We will work with you to find the perfect fit for you and your kitchen.
Flooring
Stuck on all of your flooring options? The experts at Graham’s have the experience and know-how when it comes to professional kitchen renovations – including flooring. We can help you choose the right floors for your kitchen, your style, and your budget.
Window Treatments
Don’t underestimate how window treatments can improve your kitchen too! They are an often-neglected part of kitchen renovations. However, updating your old window treatments can make a big difference in your kitchen.
Reupholstering/Refinishing
Not ready to part ways with your kitchen table or chairs – but realize they need some help? With our reupholstering services, your old dining chairs can look modern and fresh, and with our refinishing services, your favourite kitchen table will look good as new!
Design/Plans
Unlike many other contractors, Graham’s & Son Interiors doesn’t just consult with you, we help you through the entire process. Our professional team of decorators also offers plans and designs for your project. We care about what you have to say about your project.
Free In-Home Consultation
At Graham’s & Son, every one of our projects begins with an absolutely free, no-obligation in-home consultation. We want to know about your dreams and hopes for your renovation, so we can help turn those dreams into a reality! Let us help you create your dream kitchen.
"Great experience working with Graham's & Son Interiors. Highly recommend their services. We had excellent service, advice and workmanship right from quote to job completion. All the staff, the owner, project manager, store staff and installers were incredible to work with. Excellent customer service and quality workmanship. Thank you for your help, patience for a job well done!!"
Karen Darnell
Read More Google Reviews
Graham's & Son Interiors
At Graham’s & Son, we help you get the best kitchen renovation costs Waterloo has to offer. During your kitchen renovation in Waterloo, we will work with you from start to finish, helping you get the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.
We understand the kitchen renovation costs Waterloo homeowners face, and how overwhelming renovations can be.
That’s why we strive to give you the support you need during the entire process, and work with you to determine which options fit well within your unique kitchen renovation budget.
519-658-9025 | Grahams.ca | Get a Quote | Our Gallery | Contact Us
Plan Your Free In-Home Consultation Now
Book Your No-Obligation, In-Home Consultation With Graham’s & Son Today
Learn More About Graham's & Son Interiors
At Graham’s & Son, we offer a wide variety of home decorating and remodeling/renovating services, including professional kitchen renovations in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and the surrounding areas. You can rely on our 40+ years of experience helping local homeowners get their dream homes! We can do the same for you.
We offer many services to aid with your remodel, including flooring, reupholstering, and custom window treatments – which can make a big difference in any room in your home. Graham’s & Son knows window coverings; we have been in the window treatment business for over decades, and we know how to find the right treatments to suit your new kitchen, your style, and your budget.
At Graham’s, our expertise and professionalism are second to none!
In addition, right now we are offering an amazing deal on all our blinds, shutters, and shades – when you purchase any two, you will get a third absolutely free. We can help you find everything you need for your upcoming kitchen remodel.
WINDOW TREATMENT INSTALLER & INTERIOR DECORATOR – JOIN OUR TEAM!
Want to join our team? Graham’s & Son is looking for a full-time Window Treatment Installer and an Interior Decorator, and we would love for you to join our team! We operate out of Cambridge and are looking for someone who knows the Tri-Cities area well.
Training will be provided – some experience required. If you think this may be the perfect job for you, see job requirements and overview by clicking here to learn more about the installer position, or here to learn more about the decorator position.