How Much Does a Condo Renovation Cost in Canada in 2026?

Key Insights for Condo Renovation Costs

• Average costs vary significantly by city, from $70,000 in Edmonton to over $110,000 in Toronto, with individual rooms varying from $15,000 to $35,000.
• Kitchens and bathrooms offer the strongest return on investment at resale, with some estimates suggesting returns of 75% to 150% of renovation costs.
• Getting condo board approval before starting any work is not optional in most buildings, and skipping this step can result in fines or being forced to undo completed work at your own expense.

In this guide, we’ll talk about:

1. How Much Does it Cost to Renovate a Condo?
2. Condo Renovation Costs: A Breakdown
3. What Kind of Condo Renovations Give the Highest ROI?
4. What Are Some of the Hidden Costs in Condo Renovations?
5. Find Condo Renovation Pros with HomeStars
6. Your Questions About Condo Renovation Costs Answered

How Much Does it Cost to Renovate a Condo?

The total price for your project will vary based on several factors, one of which is the city you live in. Renovations in larger cities are more costly than in smaller cities and towns due to higher labour rates, greater demand for contractors, and more complex permitting requirements. Full-condo renovations can range from around $70,000 in Edmonton to over $110,000 in Toronto.

City	Average Cost (full renovation)
Toronto	$85,000 – $110,000+
Vancouver	$75,000 – $100,000
Ottawa	$65,000 – $85,000
Calgary	$60,000 – $80,000
Edmonton	$70,000 – $90,000

If you’re doing multiple rooms or a full renovation, this can sometimes reduce costs as contractors can bundle labour, consolidate material orders, and reduce the number of separate site set-ups. It's worth discussing scope upfront with your contractor to see whether a larger project could work in your favour.

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Condo Renovation Costs: A Breakdown

Condo renovation costs are shaped by several factors. While there is some overlap with house renovations, condo renovation costs have some additional considerations. Here’s a breakdown of some of the primary cost factors in condo renovations:

Materials

Materials account for a significant portion of your budget, typically making up 35 to 45% of your total renovation budget. Choices will vary depending on the rooms being renovated, your individual spending capacity, square footage. Here are some of the most commonly used materials:

Material	Average cost
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) (flooring)	$5 – $12 per sq. ft. installed
Engineered hardwood (flooring)	$8 – $18 per sq. ft. installed
Quartz (countertops)	$80 – $160 per sq. ft. installed
Porcelain tile (bathrooms, kitchens)	$10 – $25 per sq. ft. installed
Pre-fabricated cabinetry (bathrooms, kitchens)	$1,000 – $5,000 per project
Custom cabinetry (bathrooms, kitchens)	$3,000 – $12,000 per project

Labour

Labour costs will vary depending on the specific trade and market conditions. Electricians, plumbers, and tilers generally charge $75 to $150 per hour, and high demand in 2026 may push rates up a further 5 to 10%.

Location

Where you live plays an important role in the total price. Condo renovation costs in major urban centres like Toronto and Vancouver tend to run higher than in smaller cities, driven by higher labour rates, stricter building requirements, and the added logistics of high-rise construction.

Scope of work

The type of work involved is one of the biggest cost drivers. Cosmetic updates like paint, flooring, and fixtures cost far less per square foot than functional updates to plumbing and electrical, which in turn cost less than structural changes like wall removals or layout reconfigurations.

Unit size

This directly affects your total spend. A 500-square-foot studio and a 1,200-square-foot two-bedroom may require similar planning effort, but materials and labour scale with every additional square foot.

Building logistics

Unlike house renovations, condo renovations require board applications, elevator booking fees, and damage deposits can add anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 to a project before work even begins.

Finishes and fixtures

These have the widest price range of any line item. The difference between builder-grade and premium selections in a kitchen or bathroom alone can swing your budget by tens of thousands of dollars.

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What Kind of Condo Renovations Give the Highest ROI in Renovations?

Some homeowners renovate in anticipation of selling, in which case it’s important to know where to focus your energy.

Kitchen

A kitchen remodel can yield a return on investment of 75% to 150% at resale, making it the highest-value room to renovate in a condo. Even a mid-range refresh with updated countertops, cabinet faces, and fixtures can make a meaningful difference without a full gut renovation. See our guide to kitchen costs for a full breakdown.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are a close second. Bathroom upgrades typically yield a return on investment of 70 to 85%, and in a compact condo, a clean and well-finished bathroom carries significant weight with buyers. Functional upgrades like quality tiling, updated fixtures, and proper waterproofing tend to offer better value than purely cosmetic changes. Read more on bathroom remodel costs.

Flooring

New flooring is one of the most visible and cost-effective upgrades you can make across an entire unit. Consistent flooring throughout makes a condo feel larger and more cohesive, which resonates strongly with buyers. A full condo flooring upgrade typically costs between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on material choices. Learn more about flooring costs in our guide.

Living areas and lighting

Fresh paint and updated lighting are among the most affordable ways to make a unit feel move-in ready. Buyers pay a premium for certainty, and cosmetic updates are consistently among the highest-ROI renovations in condos.

What to avoid over-investing in

It’s important to enjoy the new look of your condo, but if your upgrades are solely targeting a high ROI at resale, knowing where upgrades generally pay off and where they don’t will help you in the long-run. Here are a few examples of upgrades to pay attention to:

• Overly high-end upgrades relative to the building: This includes luxury kitchens, premium appliances, spa-style bathrooms, and full smart home systems.

• Expensive but low-impact finishes: Things like exotic hardwood, heated floors throughout, or designer lighting can add significant cost without increasing perceived value compared to good-quality, standard options.

• Highly customized or niche design choices: Built-in millwork, altered layouts (e.g., removing a bedroom), or very personalized features can limit buyer appeal and reduce flexibility.

What Are Some of the Hidden Costs in Condo Renovations?

Sticking to your renovation budget is harder than it sounds. Beyond the obvious costs of labour and materials, condo renovations come with a range of expenses that catch many owners off guard. Here are some of the most common ones to plan for.

Permits

Any work touching plumbing, electrical, or structural elements requires a permit, and the costs add up quickly. Permit fees for this type of work typically range from $400 to $2,500. Your contractor should be able to identify which permits are required before work begins, so there are no surprises mid-project. They can also often obtain them for you.

Compliance upgrades

Building codes across Canada are updated regularly, and a renovation that requires a permit can trigger mandatory upgrades well beyond your original scope, from HVAC systems to insulation and waterproofing standards, which can add anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 to your budget.

Asbestos, mould, and subfloor issues

Older units can hide some unpleasant surprises once walls and floors are opened up. Asbestos removal, mould remediation, or subfloor repairs can add anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 to your project. Before demolition begins, ask your contractor about a pre-renovation inspection, especially if your building was constructed before the 1990s.

Temporary accommodation

Depending on the extent of the work you plan to have done, sometimes it’s more comfortable or even required to temporarily vacate your home during renovation. Short-term rental costs vary widely depending on the city and the apartment size, but generally can add around $2,000 to $6,000 per month. Some homeowners plan for renovations to occur in phases or around pre-existing vacation dates in order to reduce this expense.

Waste disposal and material storage

Hauling debris out of a high-rise building is more labour-intensive and costly than a standard house renovation. Waste disposal and on-site material storage can add $1,300 to $4,500 to your project costs. Discuss a waste removal plan with your contractor before work begins, and check whether your building has any restrictions on bin placement or debris removal hours.

Even a well-planned condo renovation can surface unexpected costs. The best thing you can do is be aware of them and prepare your budget accordingly. We recommend adding a contingency fund to your budget of around 15-20% to account for unexpected expenses.

Find Condo Renovation Pros with HomeStars

If a condo renovation is on your mind, HomeStars can simplify the task of finding someone to help you. We connect you with local, available condo and apartment specialists near you in just a few clicks. You can review past work and get quotes from multiple pros before you make the hire. Post your job now and hire with confidence!

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Your Questions About Condo Renovation Costs Answered

Is it worth renovating a condo before selling?

In most cases, yes. Kitchens and bathrooms tend to offer the strongest return on investment, with some estimates suggesting returns of 75% to 150% of renovation costs at resale. The key is to avoid over-improving beyond what comparable units in your building and neighbourhood are selling for. Neutral finishes and functional upgrades tend to appeal to the widest range of buyers and hold their value best. You can find contractors on HomeStars who can advise you on what kinds of upgrades will work best on the current market.

How long does a condo renovation take?

A single room renovation typically takes two to four weeks of active construction, while a full unit renovation can run six to twelve weeks or more. That said, the construction phase is often the shortest part of the timeline. Planning, condo board approval, and permitting can add several weeks or even months before a single wall is touched, so it’s important to build that lead time into your schedule from the start.

When do I need condo board approval before renovating?

Any work affecting plumbing, electrical, flooring, or structural elements will typically require formal approval from your condo corporation before work can begin. Skipping this step can result in fines, forced removal of completed work, and legal liability. Review your building's declaration and bylaws early, and submit your renovation application well in advance of your planned start date.

Can I live in my condo during a renovation?

For smaller projects like a single room refresh or cosmetic updates, living in the unit is usually manageable. For larger renovations involving multiple rooms, significant demolition, or work on plumbing and electrical systems, it can be impractical and potentially unsafe. If you do stay during construction, confirm work hours with your contractor in advance, as most condo buildings restrict noise to weekday daytime hours only.

How do I find a contractor who has experience with condo renovations?

Condo renovations have specific requirements that not all contractors are familiar with, including board approvals, building insurance requirements, elevator bookings, noise restrictions, and high-rise debris removal. It pays to find someone who has navigated these before. HomeStars is a great place to start, where you can read verified reviews from other condo owners and find contractors in your area who have a track record of condo renovation work.

Should I renovate before or after moving in?

Renovating before moving in is almost always easier. The unit is empty, work can proceed more quickly, and you avoid the disruption of living in an active construction zone. It also eliminates the need to arrange temporary accommodation mid-project. If renovating before move-in is not possible, prioritize the most disruptive work first so that the unit becomes livable as quickly as possible.