Kitchen renovations in Burnaby don't follow a single price tag. The same 200 square feet of floorplan can cost $45,000 or $150,000 depending on three things: the cabinet build quality, the appliance package, and whether walls are coming out. Here is how to think about each in 2026.
Ready for a quote?
See our full pricing, project tiers, and FAQs for Burnaby kitchen renovations on our Burnaby Kitchen Renovation service page.
The three tiers we quote in Burnaby
Almost every kitchen project we walk into in Burnaby fits into one of three tiers. The pricing is consistent across the city — what changes is the neighborhood and the era of the home, which shift the cost drivers behind the scenes.
Tier 1: Mid-range refresh — $45,000 to $70,000
This is the most common kitchen project in newer Brentwood and Metrotown condos and townhouses, plus 1990s and 2000s single-family homes in Sullivan Heights or South Slope. The footprint stays where it is. We replace cabinets with painted MDF or thermofoil, install quartz counters, swap to mid-tier appliances (Bosch 800-series, KitchenAid, GE Profile), redo the backsplash tile, and upgrade the lighting plan to LED with a few accents.
The reason this tier sits at $45K–$70K rather than higher is that nothing structural moves. The plumbing rough-in stays in the same wall. The electrical loads are similar to what existed. We're not engineering or permitting anything except the standard renovation permit for a like-for-like rebuild. Five to six weeks from demo to handover.
Tier 2: Full renovation with layout change — $70,000 to $110,000
This is the most common ask in older North Burnaby split-levels and 1980s single-family homes across Cariboo, Burnaby Heights, and Capitol Hill. The original galley kitchen feels closed off from the dining and living areas, and the owners want to open it up. That means removing a wall — usually the one between the kitchen and the dining room — and installing a beam to carry the load that wall was holding.
Once the wall comes out, the kitchen becomes part of the entertaining flow. We add an island or peninsula where the wall used to be, upgrade to premium MDF or hardwood cabinetry, install integrated panel-front appliances, run new pendant lighting over the island, and put quartzite or premium quartz on the counters. The walls and ceiling get repainted to bring the now-merged spaces together visually.
This tier sits at $70K–$110K because of the structural work. Wall removal needs a stamped engineer's drawing, a beam install, drywall patching, and floor refinishing across the merged rooms. The permit takes longer too — typically 4 to 6 weeks rather than the 2 to 3 weeks of a Tier 1 refresh. Seven to eight weeks of build time.
Tier 3: Premium build — $110,000 to $150,000+
This is what most kitchen projects in Burke Mountain estates, newer Burnaby Heights luxury homes, and high-end Brentwood penthouse units look like. Solid-wood cabinetry built to the appliance spec sheets. Marble or book-matched quartzite counters from a single slab. A full Wolf-Sub-Zero-Bosch appliance package or Miele built-ins. Integrated lighting in the cabinetry, under the toekicks, and inside the upper glass-front cabinets. New electrical service if the home was on 100-amp. Full plumbing rebuild including water filtration.
This tier sits at $110K–$150K because every line item is upgraded. Cabinet fabrication runs $40K–$60K alone for solid-wood. Premium stone is $8K–$15K. Wolf or Miele appliances clear $30K. The labor to install everything to luxury tolerances takes longer too — nine to ten weeks of build time, plus 6 to 8 weeks of lead time on the millwork before we start.
Why older North Burnaby split-levels cost more
If you live in a 1960s or 1970s split-level in North Burnaby, Cariboo, or Capitol Hill, your home was built with a 60-amp electrical service. That was plenty when the only kitchen appliances were a fridge, a stove, and a toaster. It is not enough today. A modern induction cooktop alone pulls 40 amps. Add a built-in microwave, a dishwasher, an integrated fridge, and a coffee station and you are over the panel's capacity.
Bringing a 1960s panel up to 200-amp service costs $4,000 to $7,000 in our 2026 Burnaby quotes. Plumbing rerouting from the original kitchen wall — common because the new layout almost never sits where the old fixtures were — adds another $2,000 to $5,000. Neither is a surprise; we flag both on the site visit and they show up as line items in the quote.
Burke Mountain estates run higher for a different reason
Burke Mountain homes are newer (post-2005 mostly) so the mechanical systems are already modern. What pushes Burke Mountain kitchen quotes higher is the finish level. The neighborhoods around Burke Mountain came up as estate developments — the original buyers paid premium prices, so when they renovate they spec premium finishes. Custom millwork in painted solid wood. Marble counters. Wolf-Sub-Zero appliance packages. Integrated everything.
None of that costs more in Burke Mountain than it would in West Vancouver — the materials are the same. It's just that fewer projects in other Burnaby neighborhoods spec that level of finish. The $110K–$150K range is normal in Burke Mountain because the spec is normally premium.
Strata kitchens — Brentwood and Metrotown
Brentwood and Metrotown high-rise condos and townhouses have their own paperwork layer. The strata council needs a renovation application letter that confirms scope, contractor licensing, insurance coverage, and worker hours. Buildings have different acoustic underlayment requirements for the flooring beneath new appliances. Freight elevators need to be scheduled for material delivery. We handle every piece of that on our end — but it adds roughly 1 to 2 weeks of pre-construction time before demo can start.
The kitchen renovation itself is no more expensive in a Brentwood condo than in a Cariboo single-family home for the same scope. What changes is the timeline.
Planning a kitchen renovation in Burnaby?
We walk your kitchen, talk through scope, and give you a fixed-price quote — at no cost and no obligation.
Book ConsultationOr call us at 236-516-3566
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Burnaby?+
In Burnaby, kitchen renovations typically run $45,000 to $150,000 depending on scope. A mid-range refresh in a Brentwood condo sits at $45K–$70K. A wall-removal layout change in a North Burnaby split-level runs $70K–$110K. A premium custom build in a Burke Mountain estate with solid-wood millwork and a full Sub-Zero/Wolf package can reach $110K–$150K.
Why do older Burnaby split-levels cost more?+
1960s and 1970s split-levels in North Burnaby were built with 60-amp electrical service. Modern induction cooktops and integrated appliances need 200-amp service, which adds a panel upgrade. Plumbing routes from the original galley layout often need rerouting too. Expect $5,000 to $12,000 above the base quote for these mechanical upgrades.
How long does a Burnaby kitchen renovation take?+
Six to ten weeks from demo to handover. Custom millwork is the long pole — solid-wood cabinets typically take 6 to 8 weeks to fabricate. We sequence the plumbing, electrical, and drywall during the millwork build window so installation moves quickly once the cabinets arrive.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen renovation in Burnaby?+
Yes for any project that moves plumbing, opens walls, or alters electrical loads — which covers most renovations. The City of Burnaby's permit office turns around in roughly 3 to 4 weeks. Wall-removal projects also need a structural engineer's stamped drawing. Naybur handles the permit submission and the engineer coordination.
Can you renovate a kitchen in a Brentwood or Metrotown strata?+
Yes. Strata renovations need a council letter, building bylaws review, work-hours adherence, and freight elevator scheduling. We handle every piece of strata paperwork as part of the project, including the acoustic underlayment specs most buildings require.
