- Condo
Condo Renovation Cost in Vancouver (2026): Real Prices From QUAY Projects
- By QUAY Construction
Quick answer: with QUAY, a complete condo kitchen in Vancouver commonly costs $40,000 to $75,000+, a complete condo bathroom $25,000 to $45,000+, a kitchen plus a bathroom usually starts around $65,000, and a full condo renovation with the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring and finishes often runs $100,000 or more. Real QUAY projects show where that lands: three North Vancouver condos came in at $30,000 to about $72,000 + GST, and two full West End renovations at about $178,000 + GST and $188,000 + GST.
| Condo scope | Typical cost with QUAY | Time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Complete condo bathroom | $25,000 to $45,000+ | About 10 working days |
| Complete condo kitchen | $40,000 to $75,000+ | About 15 working days |
| Kitchen plus one bathroom | From about $65,000 | Set in your proposal |
| Full condo renovation | Often $100,000 or more | About 7 weeks for a full West End condo |
These figures come from our condo renovations in Vancouver page and our kitchen and bathroom cost guides. They are planning ranges, not quotes: every QUAY project gets a detailed, fixed-price proposal once the scope is defined. For a bathroom-only project, see condo bathroom renovations, and for kitchens, kitchen renovations in Vancouver.
What Real QUAY Condo Renovations Cost
Ranges are easier to trust next to real projects. These are condo renovations we designed and built, with the budget published on each project page:
- Three North Vancouver condos, $30,000, about $51,000 and about $72,000 + GST. One owner, one complex, 2020 to 2023: a cosmetic refresh, a full one-bedroom with hazmat testing and removal, and an extended kitchen with a fully gutted bathroom.
- Condo near Science World, about $58,000 + GST. Completed in July 2022 after about six weeks.
- Downtown Vancouver loft, about $163,000 + GST. A full renovation of a two-level loft completed in summer 2021, with a custom black kitchen and a quartz waterfall island.
- West End two-bedroom, about $178,000 + GST. A 1996 two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo renovated top to bottom in summer 2024: a new kitchen with Bosch appliances, two walk-in showers, the solarium opened up and engineered hardwood.
- West End sub-penthouse, about $188,000 + GST. Completed in May 2024: a new kitchen with a quartz waterfall island, two walk-in showers, a new fireplace and a floor-to-ceiling custom closet.
For single rooms, our condo bathroom projects run from about $24,000 to $79,000 and our condo kitchens from about $43,000 to $80,000. What pushed the full renovations past $100,000 was the same each time: every room was touched, cabinetry was custom, and finishes were coordinated through the whole suite rather than room by room. See more in our condo renovation projects.
Why Condo Renovations Cost More Than the Same Work in a House
A condo kitchen is not a cheaper kitchen just because it is smaller. The building adds work a house doesn’t have:
- Strata approval and paperwork before anything starts: drawings, insurance documents and contractor details.
- Elevator bookings and loading access for every delivery and every bin.
- Restricted work hours and noisy-work windows, which stretch the schedule.
- Protection of common areas such as hallways, elevators and the parkade route.
- Shared plumbing and water shut-downs that have to be booked with the building.
- Acoustic underlay rules for hard flooring in many strata bylaws, and concrete ceilings that limit where new lighting can go.
None of these is expensive on its own, but together they are why a fixed-price proposal for a condo always includes the building’s rules, not just the rooms.
What Factors Influence Condo Renovation Costs in Vancouver?
Building Rules and Access
Condos carry costs that houses don’t. Strata approvals, renovation deposits, elevator bookings, restricted work hours, plumbing shut-downs and loading-bay access all shape how a project is scheduled. None of these is expensive on its own, but a building with tight rules stretches the schedule, and schedule is money. Older buildings can also hide surprises behind the drywall, while newer concrete towers tend to have stricter bylaws about noise, flooring and access.
Project Scope and Complexity
Scope moves the number more than anything else:
- Single room: a complete condo bathroom ($25,000 to $45,000+) or a complete condo kitchen ($40,000 to $75,000+).
- Kitchen plus a bathroom: adding those two ranges together puts most projects at roughly $65,000 or more before flooring, paint and lighting elsewhere in the suite.
- Full condo renovation: kitchen, bathrooms, flooring and finishes throughout often run $100,000 or more.
Moving plumbing, relocating walls or changing the layout adds design, permit and trade time. Keeping the existing layout is the single biggest way to control cost in a condo.
Material Quality and Finishes
Within the same layout, finishes decide where you land in a range. Cabinet construction, countertop material, tile, plumbing fixtures and lighting all have clear price tiers. Our kitchen renovation cost guide breaks this down by specification level, from refined essentials to fully custom.
Contractor Approach and Contingency
Ask every contractor how their price is built. Allowance-based quotes look lower on paper but leave the final number open. A fixed-price proposal built from a detailed scope gives you a number you can plan around. Even with a fixed price, a contingency of 10% to 20% of the construction budget is a common planning allowance for items nobody can see before demolition, especially in older buildings.
Room-by-Room Condo Renovation Cost Breakdown
Kitchen Renovation Costs
The kitchen is usually the largest single line in a condo budget. Complete condo kitchens with QUAY commonly fall around $40,000 to $75,000+, depending on the design and the building. For four real QUAY budgets, see condo kitchen renovation cost in Vancouver. Where you land depends mostly on:
- Cabinet construction and finish (stock, semi-custom or fully custom)
- Countertop material and how much of it there is (quartz, porcelain, natural stone, waterfall ends)
- Appliance package and whether panel-ready appliances are part of the design
- Whether the sink, range or venting moves, which brings in plumbing, electrical and strata review
- Backsplash, lighting and how much electrical work the lighting plan needs
Once construction starts, most complete kitchens take about 15 working days on site. The waiting happens before demolition: design, strata approval and cabinet lead times. For more detail, see our kitchen renovation Vancouver services and the kitchen renovation cost guide.
Bathroom Renovation Costs
Complete condo bathrooms with QUAY commonly fall around $25,000 to $45,000+. By size, our planning ranges are:
- Small (up to about 45 sq. ft.): $25,000 to $35,000+
- Medium (about 45 to 75 sq. ft.): $30,000 to $45,000+
- Large (about 75 sq. ft. and up): $40,000 to $70,000+
Most condo bathrooms fall in the small and medium sizes, which is why the typical condo range tops out around $45,000. Larger ensuites and highly customized bathrooms sit above it.
Waterproofing, shower drainage and ventilation carry real weight in a condo, because a leak doesn’t stay in your suite. That work sits behind the tile, and it is where we never cut corners. See the full bathroom renovation cost guide, and for small layouts, our guide on bathroom renovation maximizing space in Vancouver condos.
Living Areas and Bedrooms
Flooring, paint, doors, trim and lighting in the rest of the suite are where scope creeps quietly. A few condo-specific points affect the price:
- Flooring: many strata bylaws set requirements for acoustic underlay under hard flooring. Check yours before choosing a product, because the underlay spec can rule some floors out.
- Lighting: concrete ceilings limit where new pot lights can go, which can push lighting toward surface or track fixtures.
- Doors and trim: replacing them throughout is often what makes a full renovation feel finished, and it adds up across a whole suite.
How Much Does a Complete Condo Renovation Cost?
A full condo renovation that covers the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring and finishes throughout often runs $100,000 or more with QUAY. The total is easiest to understand built up from the rooms:
- Kitchen: $40,000 to $75,000+
- Each bathroom: $25,000 to $45,000+
- Flooring, paint, doors, trim and lighting through the rest of the suite
- Any layout changes, which add design, permit and trade time
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with a new kitchen therefore starts around $90,000 before the rest of the suite is touched. Larger suites, custom millwork and layout changes take it well past that.
Yaletown and Downtown Condos
Downtown condo towers and mixed-use buildings, including those in Yaletown, tend to come with elevator bookings, loading restrictions, limited staging and set working hours, so the building shapes the schedule as much as the rooms do. We review those requirements with the building or property manager before construction starts. Real QUAY budgets from the area:
- Yaletown condo kitchen, about $80,000. Completed in 2023: a closed galley opened up by removing a wall, with a quartz waterfall island, new cabinets and appliances, engineered flooring over an acoustic underlay and the popcorn ceilings removed.
- Yaletown condo bathroom with a tub, about $28,000 + GST. Completed in April 2026 on the same layout, with a new tub, porcelain tile and a frameless sliding glass enclosure, about three working weeks on site and strata approval handled by QUAY.
- Two-level loft near Gastown, about $163,000 + GST. Completed in 2021: kitchen millwork and appliances about $41,000 together, the primary ensuite about $27,500, the main bathroom about $19,000 and flooring on both levels and the stairs about $21,000, with plumbing and gas permits.
See also our Yaletown condo renovation project and condo renovations in downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Condo Renovation Permits and Regulations
When Do You Need a City Permit?
The City of Vancouver says that replacing fixtures, cabinets or flooring, and painting, do not need a permit. A permit is needed when a renovation moves interior walls or existing plumbing, electrical or gas lines, and for structural repairs. In multi-unit buildings, drywall repairs to fire separations also need a permit. When a project is close to the line, the City’s advice is to check with its Development and Building Services Centre before starting.
In practice, a condo kitchen or bathroom that keeps everything in place often needs no City permit, while one that relocates a sink, toilet, shower or wall usually does. We confirm this during planning, before anything is ordered.
Strata Approval Process
Strata approval is separate from City permits, and most strata corporations require written approval before work starts. Under the Standard Bylaws of the BC Strata Property Act, an owner needs written approval before altering a strata lot in ways that involve the building’s structure or exterior, doors or windows on the exterior or facing common property, common property within the strata lot, or parts of the lot the strata corporation must insure. The strata can’t unreasonably withhold approval, but it can require the owner to take responsibility for related expenses. Many buildings have their own bylaws on top of these, so always read yours.
A typical approval package includes the scope of work, drawings, insurance documents, contractor information, material specifications and proposed working dates. Expect to arrange a renovation deposit, confirm permitted work hours, book the elevator and loading access, and agree how common areas will be protected.
Approval Timing
Strata councils often review applications at scheduled meetings, so approval time varies from building to building. Start the application as soon as the scope and drawings are settled. Building it into the schedule is far cheaper than a crew waiting on a signature.
What Affects Condo Renovation Costs the Most?
Age and Condition of Your Condo
Older buildings tend to bring more unknowns:
- Electrical that needs updating once walls are open
- Older plumbing, shut-off valves and drains
- Materials that need hazardous-materials testing before they are disturbed
- Uneven subfloors that need levelling before new flooring
Hidden Costs to Budget For
- Water damage or rot found during demolition
- Electrical or plumbing corrections that weren’t visible before
- Strata-required protection, deposits or after-hours work
- Design changes after work starts, which is why we approve every change in writing
Scheduling and Lead Times
In condos, the calendar is set by the building as much as by the contractor. Elevator availability, quiet hours and strata meeting dates all affect when work can happen, and long-lead items like custom cabinets and stone set the earliest start date. Ordering early protects both the schedule and the budget.
How to Budget for Your Vancouver Condo Renovation
Creating a Realistic Budget
- Start from the room ranges above and add them up for your scope.
- Decide early whether the layout stays or changes.
- Set aside a contingency of 10% to 20%, toward the high end for older buildings.
- Include strata deposits, temporary living costs if you move out, and storage.
Financing Options for Condo Renovations
Common options include savings, a home equity line of credit, refinancing, or a renovation-specific mortgage product. Rates and limits change, so talk to your lender or mortgage broker before you commit to a scope.
Getting Accurate Quotes
Compare quotes on the same scope. A useful quote spells out:
- Material specifications, not just allowances
- What is included and what is excluded
- Strata coordination and any permits
- The schedule and how changes are approved
- The warranty
QUAY provides a detailed, fixed-price proposal before construction starts, and every change is approved in writing.
Cost-Saving Tips for Vancouver Condo Renovations
Keep the Layout
Leaving plumbing and walls where they are avoids permits, structural questions and extra strata review. You can change almost everything you see without moving what’s behind it.
Renovate in One Go Rather Than in Phases
In a house, phasing can spread cost. In a condo, every phase means another strata application, another deposit, more elevator bookings and more set-up. Doing the work in one planned project is usually cheaper overall.
Material Selection Strategies
Where to spend: waterproofing and shower systems, cabinets and hardware you touch every day, and countertops.
Where to save: decorative lighting, closet systems and accessories, which are easy to upgrade later without a contractor.
How Much Value Does a Condo Renovation Add?
Renovating to Sell vs Renovating to Stay
If you plan to sell soon, focus on broad appeal: neutral, durable finishes in the kitchen and bathrooms. If you are staying, invest in what you use every day. For rental units, prioritize durability and low maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Condo Renovation Costs
How Long Does a Condo Renovation Take?
Most complete kitchens take about 15 working days on site once construction starts. Most bathrooms take about 10 working days, once materials are ready, and a full West End condo renovation took about seven weeks on site. Strata approval and material lead times come first, so the full schedule is set out in your proposal.
Can I Live in My Condo During Renovation?
For a single bathroom in a two-bathroom suite, often yes. A kitchen renovation is manageable with a temporary kitchen set-up. For full renovations, most owners move out for the duration.
Do I Need a City Permit for a Condo Renovation?
Not for replacing fixtures, cabinets or flooring, or for painting. You do if you move interior walls or existing plumbing, electrical or gas lines. Strata approval is a separate requirement.
How Do I Choose the Right Contractor?
- Proof of liability insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage
- Experience with strata applications in buildings like yours
- A detailed, fixed-price proposal rather than open allowances
- A written workmanship warranty. QUAY projects carry a 12-month (365-day) workmanship warranty.
- Clear communication about the schedule and changes
For larger projects beyond condos, see our home renovation Vancouver expertise.
How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Condo in Vancouver?
With QUAY, complete condo kitchens commonly run $40,000 to $75,000+, complete condo bathrooms $25,000 to $45,000+, a kitchen plus a bathroom usually starts around $65,000, and a full condo renovation with the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring and finishes often runs $100,000 or more. A full West End two-bedroom was about $178,000 + GST and a West End sub-penthouse about $188,000 + GST.
Can I Renovate a Condo Bathroom for $10,000?
Usually not for a complete renovation. Complete condo bathrooms with QUAY commonly start around $25,000, because waterproofing, tile, plumbing and fixtures are replaced together. A smaller budget may cover a cosmetic refresh.
What Is the Most Expensive Part of a Condo Renovation?
The kitchen is usually the largest single line in a condo budget: complete condo kitchens commonly run $40,000 to $75,000+. Layout changes, moving plumbing and custom cabinetry raise costs the most.
Do I Need Strata Approval to Renovate My Condo?
Usually, yes. Most strata corporations need written approval before work starts and may ask for drawings, insurance papers and contractor details. Strata approval is separate from any City permit.
Can I Renovate My Condo Myself?
Small cosmetic jobs may be possible, but most strata corporations need written approval before work starts, and plumbing, electrical and wall changes can also need permits. QUAY handles the strata paperwork, elevator bookings and work-hour rules for you.
Conclusion: Planning Your Vancouver Condo Renovation Budget
For planning, start with these ranges: about $40,000 to $75,000+ for a complete condo kitchen, $25,000 to $45,000+ for each complete bathroom, and often $100,000 or more for a full condo renovation. Then adjust for layout changes, finishes and your building’s rules.
- Read your strata bylaws and start the approval early
- Decide whether the layout stays or changes
- Compare quotes on the same, fully specified scope
- Hold a contingency for what’s behind the walls
Ready to start planning your condo renovation? Book a discovery call with QUAY Construction and we’ll walk through your scope, your building’s requirements and a realistic budget.
Related Posts
Partial vs Full Kitchen Renovation: What Each Scope Includes and Costs
