Renovating your home can breathe new life into your living space and boost property value. But with Vancouver’s high construction costs, it pays to know what you’re in for. In this guide, we’ll break down current renovation costs per square foot in Vancouver, highlight key price differences between house and condo renovations and provide clear cost ranges for common projects. We’ll also cover practical tips to help you plan your renovation and maximize the value of your budget.
Renovation Costs Per Square Foot in Vancouver
In 2025, renovation costs per square foot in Vancouver typically range from $150 to $300 per square foot for mid-range renovations, with high-end projects costing $250 to $400 or more per square foot. This translates into a project cost ranging from $150,000 to $500,000+ for a complete home reno.
For a more detailed list of costs, continue reading or jump directly to room-specific costs or project-specific costs.
House vs. Condo Renovations: What to Know
Houses
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Detached houses generally cost more to renovate than condos. For one, they usually require more extensive work, such as roof repairs, exterior cladding, window replacements, or structural upgrades, which condos typically don’t need.
Older homes are even more costly to renovate as they can often conceal surprises, such as asbestos, knob-and-tube wiring, or foundation issues, all of which can increase costs once work begins. Plus, with larger spaces to renovate, you’re naturally dealing with a bigger budget.
Condos
As someone with numerous condo renovations under their belt, I can tell you: they have their own challenges. Strata council rules often restrict the scope of work, and many condo building bylaws limit what materials you can use, which walls you can modify or how plumbing and electrical systems can be augmented. Work hours are usually limited to minimize disruption for other residents, thereby slowing progress and possibly increasing labour costs. Strata approval is also required for many projects; this process alone can delay your start by weeks or even months, particularly in high-rise buildings. Condo renovations also have different logistics, making the process of getting materials in and rubbish out more time-consuming and labour-intensive.
What Drives Renovation Costs Higher in Vancouver
Labour and Materials
Compared to other Canadian cities, Vancouver’s renovation costs run high for several reasons. Skilled tradespeople are in short supply with an expected shortfall of 17,500 workers by 2029, resulting in increased hourly rates across the board. Material costs are also inflated due to supply chain disruptions, increased transportation costs or local demand for premium products.
Permit Fees
Another key factor is the time and fees involved in the permitting process. The City of Vancouver has a reputation for lengthy approval times and complex requirements. If you’re renovating a condo, you’ll face additional layers of approval from your condo board.
Time
If you’re remodelling an older home, you can almost count on running into surprises once walls are opened up; anything from outdated wiring to moisture damage or non-compliant structures from previous renovations. These issues will add items to the project scope, increasing the timeline.
Planning Tips for a Successful Reno
Advance Planning
To keep your renovation on track (and on budget) it’s wise to plan well ahead. Start by getting at least three to five quotes from reputable contractors. Prices in Vancouver can vary significantly, especially with demand running high. Be sure to ask about availability, too, as experienced contractors often book six to twelve months in advance.
Strategic Timing
Materials are another consideration. Big-ticket items, such as windows, cabinets, and appliances, often have long lead times – sometimes eight to twelve weeks or more – so ordering early is crucial.
Have a Contingency Fund
No matter how well you plan, renovations in Vancouver’s older homes often reveal surprises once the work begins. That’s why it’s smart to set aside a 15 to 20 percent contingency in your budget. This buffer will ensure you aren’t financially strained in the event of an unforeseen surprise lurking behind the walls.
The Right People for the Job
If your project involves layout changes, structural work, or permit applications, hiring a qualified designer, architect or engineer will help streamline the process and ensure your plans meet municipal, provincial and national building code requirements. It also reduces the risk of costly design mistakes or rework later on.
Room-Specific Renovation Costs in Vancouver
Bathroom Renovation Cost
Bathroom renovation costs in Vancouver range from $20,000 to $35,000 and up for a typical 5’x8’ to 6’x9’ bathroom. Tile choices and moving plumbing rough-ins significantly impact the budget. Luxury bathrooms with features such as steam showers, freestanding tubs, heated floors or high-end fixtures can easily cost over $40,000.
Kitchen Renovation Costs
Kitchen renovations in Vancouver typically start at around $35,000 for basic updates and can range to over $100,000 for high-end transformations. Major costs include custom cabinetry, countertop materials (such as quartz, granite and Dekton), upgraded appliances and flooring. Open-concept layouts and structural changes will increase the budget.
Basement Renovation Costs
Finishing an unfinished basement in Vancouver typically costs $50 to $150 per square foot, depending on whether you’re adding bedrooms, bathrooms or suites. Therefore, a 1,000-square-foot basement renovation can easily range from $50,000 to $150,000. Converting a basement into a legal suite incurs significant additional costs for fire separation, soundproofing, egress windows, plumbing for kitchens and bathrooms, dedicated ventilation and heating systems. You’ll also need to budget for city permits and inspections to ensure compliance with legal suite standards.
Cost of Common Renovation Projects in Vancouver
Here’s what you can expect to pay for typical individual renovations in Vancouver
| Renovation Project | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| General renovation (per sq. ft.) | $150 – $250 (mid-range) |
| Major renovation (per sq. ft.) | $250 – $400+ |
| Flooring – laminate (installed) | $3.00 – $8.00 per sq. ft. |
| Flooring – hardwood (installed) | $9.00 – $25.00 per sq. ft. |
| Flooring – engineered hardwood (installed) | $3.00 – $15.00 per sq. ft. |
| Interior painting (walls & ceilings) | $2.00 – $6.00 per sq. ft. |
| Plumbing upgrades (whole home) | $2,000 – $15,000+ |
| Electrical panel upgrade (200 amp) | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| Whole home rewire (older house) | $15,000 – $40,000+ |
| Windows (installed, per window) | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Bathroom renovation (typical) | $20,000 – $35,000+ |
| Kitchen renovation (mid-range) | $35,000 – $100,000+ |
| Basement renovation (per sq. ft.) | $50 – $150 |
Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Many Vancouver renovations now include energy efficiency upgrades, as BC has adopted the Energy Step Code. This new standard promotes improved performance in areas such as insulation, air sealing and HVAC systems. Standard upgrades include triple-pane windows, added wall and attic insulation and heat pump installations. The typical cost of a package of energy efficiency upgrades is around $13,500. If you pursue this route, be sure to consider the rebates offered by BC Hydro and the provincial government to help offset some of these costs.
By understanding Vancouver’s current renovation costs and typical budget ranges, you’ll be better prepared to plan your next home improvement project. Thoughtful planning and awareness of local cost factors can help you stretch your budget further and avoid costly surprises along the way.
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