Most full kitchen renovations in Mississauga and the GTA land between $40,000 and $75,000 before HST. A cosmetic refresh can be done for $20,000–$35,000. Move walls or go fully custom and you are into $75,000–$150,000+.
Those are wide ranges, and a range that wide is not much use when you are trying to decide whether you can afford this. So here is what actually moves the number, and how to work out roughly where your kitchen sits.
The three tiers, and what you get
| Tier | Typical cost (before HST) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | $20,000 – $35,000 | Same layout, refaced or stock cabinets, new countertops, backsplash, paint, existing appliances |
| Full renovation, same footprint | $40,000 – $75,000 | Everything out to the studs, new cabinetry, new counters, new flooring, new appliances, updated electrical and plumbing in place |
| Layout change or custom | $75,000 – $150,000+ | Moving walls, relocating plumbing or gas, custom millwork, high-end appliances, structural work |
A useful cross-check: Toronto-area kitchens generally run $250 to $500+ per square foot, with most mid-range projects around $300–$400. Measure your kitchen and multiply — if that lands somewhere near the tier you were expecting, your budget is realistic.
What actually drives the price
Cabinetry — usually the biggest single line
Cabinets routinely account for 30–40% of a kitchen budget. Stock, semi-custom and full custom differ enormously, and the difference is not only aesthetic — it is fit. In an older Mississauga home with walls that are not square, custom cabinetry may be the only way to avoid awkward filler panels.
Whether you move plumbing or gas
Keeping the sink, stove and fridge roughly where they are is the single biggest saving available. Moving a sink to an island means new drain and supply lines through the floor. That one decision can move a project between tiers.
Labour
Labour is typically 30–50% of the budget, and GTA trade rates run meaningfully above the provincial average. This is where the cheapest quote usually differs from the others — not in materials, but in how many hours are actually budgeted.
What is behind the walls
In homes built before the 1980s, opening a kitchen often reveals knob-and-tube wiring, undersized panels, galvanized supply lines, or no insulation on exterior walls. None of that is optional to fix once found. Hold back 10–15% of your budget for it.
HST
Ontario HST is 13%, and most quotes are presented before tax. On a $60,000 kitchen that is $7,800. It is not a detail.
Where the money goes, roughly
- Cabinetry — 30–40%
- Labour — 30–50%
- Countertops — 8–15%
- Appliances — 10–20%
- Flooring, tile, paint, lighting, plumbing fixtures — the balance
These overlap because they vary by project, but the shape holds: cabinets and labour are most of your kitchen.
How to spend less without regretting it
- Keep the layout. The single biggest lever, by a distance.
- Spend on cabinet boxes, save on doors. Boxes are what fail; doors are what you can change in ten years.
- Choose one focal point. A striking counter or a statement backsplash — not both.
- Quartz over exotic stone. Durable, predictable, and no sealing.
- Buy appliances in a sale cycle. They are the most discountable item in the whole project.
What we would not cut: electrical, plumbing, ventilation, or the hours needed to do the work properly. Those are the things that are expensive to revisit.
How long does it take?
A same-layout kitchen is typically 4–6 weeks on site. Layout changes push that to 8–10. Add lead time before that — custom cabinetry commonly runs 6–10 weeks from order, and it is worth ordering before demolition rather than after.
Do you need a permit?
If you are moving plumbing, altering electrical circuits or removing a wall, yes. A same-footprint kitchen with fixtures staying put often does not. Confirm with the City of Mississauga before you start, and be wary of any contractor who tells you not to bother.
Reading three quotes
When quotes come in far apart, the gap is almost never the same job at different prices. It is different jobs.
Ask each contractor: What cabinet line and construction? Is the countertop templated after cabinets are installed? Who pulls the permit? What is the allowance for tile, fixtures and lighting, and what happens if you exceed it? What is the payment schedule? What is assumed about what is behind the walls?
A quote that is $15,000 below the others usually has thinner allowances, cheaper cabinet construction, or fewer labour hours budgeted. Sometimes that is fine. You should just know which it is.
Getting a real number for your kitchen
Ranges in an article can only take you so far. We are a licensed contractor based in Mississauga, working across Mississauga, Oakville, Etobicoke and the GTA. Tell us the rough size of your kitchen and whether you want to change the layout, and we will give you a straight estimate — free, and with no obligation.
Prices in this article are 2026 GTA planning ranges before HST and will vary with your specific home, finishes and market conditions.