What does a kitchen renovation cost in Calgary?
An honest, plain-spoken look at what actually shapes the cost of a Calgary kitchen renovation — no pressure, no gimmicks.
Schedule a Discovery CallSpeak with the owner, Jonathan Edwards"So, how much will my kitchen cost?"
It is almost always the first question, and it deserves a straight answer. The honest short version: it depends on your space, your finishes, and how much you want to change. The longer version is what this guide is for.
We are Jonathan and Michelle Edwards, a husband-and-wife team with 40 years of combined renovation experience here in Calgary. Jonathan owns the company and directs every renovation. Michelle leads design. We do not hide numbers or spring surprises. Every project gets a fixed-price quote before work begins, so you know exactly what you are investing and what you are getting.
The Fixed-Price Promise
You get one number, agreed before we start — not a moving target. If the scope doesn't change, the price doesn't either.
What Drives the Cost of a Kitchen Renovation
No two kitchens carry the same price, and the reasons are usually the same handful of factors. Here is what moves the number up or down.
Size & Layout Complexity
A compact galley is far simpler than an open-concept space with a large island and multiple work zones. More cabinetry, more counter runs, and more square footage all add up.
Cabinet Style & Construction
Stock, semi-custom, and fully custom cabinetry sit at very different price points. Plywood boxes, dovetailed drawers, and soft-close hardware cost more than particleboard, and they last.
Countertops & Backsplash
Laminate, quartz, granite, and full-slab quartzite can swing the total by many thousands. Full-height backsplashes and waterfall edges add material and labour.
Appliances & Fixtures
Panel-ready and built-in appliances, workstation sinks, and higher-end faucets raise both product and installation cost.
Electrical & Plumbing Scope
Adding circuits, moving a sink, or relocating gas and water lines brings trades and permits into the picture.
Flooring
Whether we keep, repair, or replace the floor, and the material you choose, factors into the plan.
Structural & Layout Changes
Removing a wall, moving a doorway, or reconfiguring the footprint is where scope and investment climb the fastest.
Custom Features & Storage
Pantries, built-in seating, custom hoods, and specialty storage are worth it for many homeowners, but they are add-ons to a base kitchen.
Timeline & Project Management
A project kept on schedule protects your budget. Delays quietly cost you more.
Market Conditions
Material availability and Calgary trade pricing shift over time. We lock your price in writing so those swings are not your problem once we begin.
Quick Reference
Typical Calgary ranges
Refresh
$18k – $35k
Full Renovation
$45k – $85k
Reconfiguration
$85k – $150k+
Every project gets a fixed-price quote first.
Calgary Kitchen Price Ranges
These are realistic Calgary-market ranges to help you plan. They are starting points, not quotes. Every Olympic City project gets a fixed-price quote before work begins — no surprises.
Kitchen Refresh
$18k – $35k
Keeping your existing layout while replacing the finishes that make the biggest difference.
- New cabinetry or refacing on the current footprint
- Updated countertops and backsplash
- New sink, faucet, and hardware
- Fresh paint and lighting refresh
- Ideal when the layout already works
Full Renovation
$45k – $85k
A complete rebuild of the kitchen with new cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes throughout.
- New custom or semi-custom cabinetry
- Quartz or stone countertops, full backsplash
- New flooring, lighting, and electrical
- Appliance integration and new fixtures
- Minor layout adjustments within the footprint
Reconfiguration
$85k – $150k+
Changing how the kitchen actually works, including walls, plumbing, and structural moves.
- Wall removal and open-concept layouts
- Relocating plumbing, gas, and electrical
- Islands, custom hoods, and pantries
- Premium appliances and specialty storage
- Permits and structural coordination handled for you
What Is Always Included
These are not upgrades or line items we tack on later. They are simply how we run every Olympic City kitchen.
The Owner on Every Job
Fixed-Price Guarantee
Design Led by Michelle
Clear Plans Before We Build
Clean, Protected Job Site
We Stand Behind the Work
Why Two Quotes for the "Same" Kitchen Look So Different
Two contractors can hand you wildly different numbers for what looks like the same job. The gap is almost always in what is, and is not, included. Here is what to look at before you compare.
Scope of Work
One quote might cover only cabinets and counters. Another includes design, demolition, electrical, plumbing, flooring, paint, fixtures, and cleanup. Ask exactly what is in the number.
Design Support
Some builders hand you a catalogue and wish you luck. With us, Michelle guides every choice so the finished kitchen holds together.
Materials & Craftsmanship
Plywood boxes, soft-close hardware, and durable stone are not always in a base price. Confirm what is standard versus an upcharge.
Who Actually Runs the Job
An owner who runs your project and actually picks up the phone is a very different experience than a job where you can never get a straight answer.
After the Final Walkthrough
What happens when something needs a second look? A contractor who stands behind the work is worth more than a slightly lower bid.
Before You Compare
Ask every quote:
✓Is the full scope listed?
✓Are material allowances specified?
✓Who manages the project day to day?
✓What happens if something changes?
Why "Just Get Three Quotes" Can Cost You
It's the advice every homeowner hears — get three quotes and pick one. But lining up three numbers side by side only works if all three cover the same scope, the same quality of materials, and the same level of project management. They almost never do.
In this quick clip, Jonathan explains what those three numbers actually hide, and what to compare instead so you're not choosing the cheapest surprise.
Why "Average" Kitchen Costs Can Mislead You
You have seen the headlines: "the average kitchen costs X." Those numbers lump together refacing jobs and full luxury rebuilds, which makes them nearly useless for planning your kitchen. Here is why.
Every Kitchen Is Different
A 10x10 galley with no layout changes is a different animal than a 300-square-foot open concept that needs a wall removed and plumbing moved.
"Average" Says Nothing About Scope
One average includes only cabinets and counters. Another includes design, permits, trades, flooring, and cleanup. They are not the same job.
Materials Swing the Number
Laminate versus quartzite, or stock versus custom cabinetry, can move a total by tens of thousands of dollars.
Calgary Is Its Own Market
Local labour, material availability, and permitting all shape real pricing here, and a national average will not reflect it.
Quality and Time Are Not in the Average
A job that drags on for months may look cheaper on paper, but it does not account for the disruption to your life.
There's no such thing as an average kitchen — only yours.
Olympic City Renovations
What Real Projects Look Like at Each Range
Illustrative examples of how scope, finishes, and layout changes land a kitchen in each range. Your quote is always tailored to your home.
Same-Layout Refresh
$18k – $35k
Refresh • footprint kept
We kept the existing footprint and focused the budget where it shows: new cabinetry, quartz counters, a full tile backsplash, updated lighting, and a workstation sink. A brighter, current kitchen without moving a single wall.
Full Kitchen Rebuild
$45k – $85k
Full renovation • new everything
A complete tear-out and rebuild: new semi-custom cabinetry to the ceiling, stone counters, new flooring, refreshed electrical and lighting, and integrated appliances. Same general layout, entirely new kitchen.
Open-Concept Reconfiguration
$85k – $150k+
Reconfiguration • wall removal + island
We removed the wall between the kitchen and living space, relocated plumbing for a new island, added a custom hood and pantry, and integrated premium appliances. Structural work and permits coordinated start to finish. A kitchen that works completely differently than it did before.
Is a Kitchen Renovation Worth It?
For the right home and the right homeowner, absolutely. But it is not for everyone, and we would rather be honest than oversell.
It is worth it if…
- This is your long-term or forever home and you will enjoy the result for years.
- Your current kitchen is dated, cramped, or simply does not fit how you live.
- You want real say over layout, materials, and design.
- You value a fixed price and owner accountability over the cheapest bid.
It may not be if…
- You are planning to sell and move within the next year or two.
- Your only goal is the absolute cheapest update, whatever the quality.
- You would rather not be part of the design decisions at all.
- You need a number without any conversation about your actual space.
Kitchen Pricing FAQs
What does a typical kitchen renovation cost with Olympic City?
Most of our kitchens land between roughly $18k for a same-layout refresh and $150k or more for a full reconfiguration, depending on size, finishes, and how much you want to change. You will get a firm, itemized, fixed price before any work starts.
How does the first conversation work?
We start with a paid discovery call and walkthrough. Your time and ours both matter, so we treat that first conversation seriously and give you real, specific guidance rather than a sales pitch. Every project then gets a written fixed-price quote before work begins.
How do you keep me on budget?
The fixed-price quote is the whole point. We plan the scope and selections up front, put the number in writing, and hold to it. Changes only happen if you choose to change something, and we price those clearly before proceeding.
Are there hidden fees or surprise costs?
No. That is the core promise of our fixed-price guarantee. You approve the itemized price before we start, and that is what you pay unless you request a change.
What if my budget is below your starting range?
Tell us. We would rather help you phase the work or focus on the highest-impact changes than take on a project that will not meet your expectations. An honest conversation up front saves everyone disappointment.
Do material selections really change the price that much?
Yes. Cabinetry construction, countertop material, tile, and appliances are the biggest levers. Moving from stock to custom cabinets or laminate to stone can shift a kitchen by tens of thousands of dollars.
Who is actually on my job?
Jonathan, the owner, directs every renovation, and Michelle leads the design. You work directly with them from start to finish — never handed off and left guessing who to call.
Still Have Questions?
The fastest answer is a quick call with the owner — no pressure, no sales pitch, just a straight conversation about your project.
Contractor Red Flags to Watch For
Not every renovator works to the same standard. Whether or not you hire us, here is what should give you pause.
Vague or Incomplete Estimates
If a quote does not clearly itemize materials, labour, and permits, you are exposed to surprise costs later. Insist on detail.
No License, Insurance, or References
Always confirm your contractor is licensed, insured, and happy to show completed work. If they cannot or will not, walk away.
Pressure to Sign Today
High-pressure tactics are a warning sign. A good renovator gives you room to ask questions and decide.
Large Upfront Payments
Be cautious of anyone demanding a big deposit or full payment before work begins. Payments should track to real milestones.
Green Flags
What good looks like
✓Pulls permits without being asked
✓Fixed price in writing
✓An owner you can actually reach
✓Happy references nearby
Not sure you need a full kitchen renovation?
If your layout works and the boxes are sound, refacing gets you most of the way there with far less disruption. If you only want a different colour, painting may be enough.
Let's Put a Real Number to Your Kitchen
We will walk through your space, your goals, and your budget, then build you a written fixed price with no surprises. Owner directs every project. Design led by Michelle. About 40 years of combined Calgary experience behind every kitchen.