Foundations and interiors

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling

Kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, cabinets, countertops, tub-to-shower conversions and tile showers for houses and condos across Canada and the US. Request a free quote online. For homeowners, landlords and property managers. Quote requests by email.

What's covered

  • Kitchen RemodelingA kitchen remodel can be a finish update that keeps the layout, or a full redesign that moves the sink, range or walls. Keeping plumbing and gas where they are saves a lot of money. The quote covers demolition, any plumbing, electrical and ventilation work, drywall, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, lighting and appliance installation, with allowances for finishes not yet chosen.
  • Bathroom RemodelingA full bathroom remodel usually goes back to the studs, which is the moment to replace old supply lines and drains, add blocking for grab bars, and fix a weak exhaust fan. Wet areas need a proper waterproofing membrane behind the tile, not just cement board. The quote lists fixtures, tile, vanity, lighting, ventilation and the schedule, including how long the room is out of use.
  • Kitchen CabinetsStock, semi-custom and custom cabinets differ in sizes, finishes, construction and lead time. Installation means levelling the boxes, fixing them to the wall, adjusting doors and drawers, and adding trim and hardware. If the boxes are solid and the layout works, refacing with new doors and drawer fronts, or refinishing the existing ones, costs less and takes days instead of weeks.
  • CountertopsStone and quartz countertops are templated after the base cabinets are installed and level, then cut to fit, including sink and cooktop openings and seams. The quote should name the material, edge profile, sink type and backsplash, and say whether the old countertops are removed and disposed of. Laminate and solid surface cost less and suit rentals and laundry rooms.
  • Tub-to-Shower ConversionThe tub is removed, the drain is moved or adapted, and a low-threshold or curbless shower base goes in its place, with waterproofed walls finished in tile or solid panels and a glass door or panel. It is one of the most common requests from people who want an easier, safer bathroom without redoing the whole room.
  • Custom Tile ShowersA tiled shower depends on what is behind the tile: a sloped base, a waterproofing membrane on the walls and floor, and a properly sealed drain. Niches, benches, linear drains and frameless glass go on top of that. Large-format porcelain means fewer grout lines but needs a flat wall. Ask how the shower is waterproofed and whether the membrane is tested before tiling.
  • Vanities & FixturesReplacing a vanity, toilet or faucet is a quick way to update a bathroom without a full remodel. Wall-hung vanities and toilets need blocking inside the wall. Old shut-off valves and supply lines are worth replacing at the same time. The quote should say who supplies each fixture and whether wall or floor repairs are included where the old ones came out.
  • Accessible Bathroom UpgradesAccessibility work makes a bathroom safer for aging in place or for someone with limited mobility. Common upgrades are a curbless or low-threshold shower, grab bars fixed into solid blocking, a comfort-height toilet, a handheld shower on a slide bar, slip-resistant flooring and a wider door. Some provinces, states and cities have programs that help with the cost, and a quote can note which ones may apply.

How the work is handled

  • Measured, Not GuessedA real quote starts with a visit: measurements, plumbing and electrical locations, ventilation, floors and access.
  • Scope in WritingDemolition, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile, cabinets, countertops, fixtures and cleanup, each listed, so quotes can be compared line by line.
  • Allowances Spelled OutWhen finishes are not chosen yet, the quote should show the allowance for each one, so the final price does not drift.
  • Permits FlaggedMoving plumbing, changing walls or adding circuits often needs a permit. The quote should say which ones and who pulls them.
  • One Room or the Whole JobA new countertop, a tub-to-shower conversion or a full kitchen. Requests of any size are welcome.
  • Form Only, Your PaceSend the details when it suits you. Nobody calls you before you ask for a quote.

By climate

  • Long, cold winters with heavy snow and a short, warm summerWinter is a popular time for indoor remodels, but deliveries can stall in storms and doors left open for trades chill the house. Ask about plumbing on outside walls, which can freeze, and whether the bathroom fan vents outdoors to keep moisture out of the attic.
  • Wet maritime weather, salt air, many freeze-thaw cycles and storm-driven rain and snowDamp air makes bathrooms prone to mold behind tile and under floors, so waterproofing and strong ventilation matter more than finishes. Ask how the shower will be waterproofed, and allow buffer days for materials that arrive late after storms or ferry delays.
  • Four seasons: humid summers, cold winters with snow and repeated freeze-thawSummer humidity can swell wood cabinets and slow the drying of grout and paint, while winter cold weakens adhesives in unheated spaces. Ask how the remodel handles ventilation and whether cabinets and flooring will acclimate inside the house before installation.
  • Hot, humid summers, mild winters, heavy storms and in coastal areas hurricanes; pests and mold all yearMold is the main enemy, so bathrooms need sealed waterproofing behind showers, a fan that actually removes moisture and materials that tolerate humidity. Ask about moisture-resistant cabinet boxes and how work will be scheduled around hurricane season delays.
  • Desert heat, strong sun and UV, dust, monsoon downpours, very little freezingVery dry air makes wood cabinets and counters shrink and crack, and adhesives and grout cure too fast if the house is hot. Ask how materials are stored before installation and whether the fixtures and finishes chosen hold up well to hard water.
  • Dry, high-altitude climate with strong UV, big day-night swings, snow and freeze-thawDry air and big temperature swings can open gaps in wood cabinetry and stress tile on floors over cold crawl spaces. Ask whether heated floors and a proper underlayment are included, and plan around winter road conditions for deliveries to mountain homes.
  • Mild, wet marine climate: long rainy seasons, moss and moisture, little hard freezing near the coastConstant moisture means bathrooms and kitchens need strong exhaust fans and careful waterproofing, or mold appears behind walls within a few seasons. Ask whether the remodel includes checking subfloors for rot and how materials are kept dry during the rainy months.
  • Dry summers and wet winters, wildfire smoke and ash, earthquakes, almost no snow on the coastEarthquakes make secure cabinet mounting, latched doors and properly anchored water heaters and tall units worth discussing. Ask about water-saving fixtures for dry years and how the kitchen will be sealed from smoke and dust if work runs into fire season.
  • Extreme cold, permafrost in places, very short building season and remote freightEvery cabinet, fixture and tile has to be shipped in, often months ahead, so the full design and material list should be locked before work starts. Ask how pipes on outside walls are protected from freezing and what happens if a part arrives damaged when replacements take weeks.

Every written quote covers

  • Full scope, line by line
  • Allowances for unchosen finishes
  • Permits and who pulls them
  • Schedule and lead times
  • Site protection and cleanup
  • Payment schedule

Questions

How much does a kitchen or bathroom remodel cost?

It depends far more on scope than on square footage. Keeping the layout and replacing finishes costs much less than moving plumbing, walls or windows. Cabinet line, countertop material, tile, fixtures, appliances and what is found behind the walls all move the price. The only reliable number is a written quote after a visit.

How long does a remodel take?

A tub-to-shower conversion or a countertop replacement is usually a matter of days. A full bathroom usually takes a few weeks, and a full kitchen longer. Custom cabinets and stone countertops have their own lead times, so ordering is planned before demolition starts.

Can I keep using the kitchen or bathroom during the work?

Usually not the room being remodeled. For a kitchen, a temporary setup with the fridge and a microwave elsewhere in the house helps. If the home has only one bathroom, say so in your email so the schedule keeps the time without a working toilet and shower as short as possible.

Should I reface or replace my cabinets?

If the cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works, refacing or refinishing gives a new look for less money and less disruption. If the boxes are damaged, the layout does not work, or you want different sizes and storage, replacement makes more sense.

Quartz or granite?

Both are durable and suit kitchens and bathrooms. Quartz is engineered, consistent in colour and does not need sealing. Granite is natural stone, every slab is different, and it should be resealed from time to time. Prices overlap, so the choice usually comes down to look and upkeep.

Can a bathtub be replaced with a walk-in shower?

Yes, in most bathrooms. The tub comes out, the drain is adapted, and a low-threshold or curbless shower base goes in with waterproofed walls, tile or panels, and glass. If it is the only tub in the house, think about resale and young children before removing it.

Do I need a permit?

Often when plumbing is moved, walls are changed or new electrical circuits are added. Condo buildings may also have their own approval process even for like-for-like work. A proper quote should say which permits and approvals are needed and who takes care of them.

How do I get a quote?

Email us your city, the room and what you want done. Rough measurements and the age of the current kitchen or bathroom help. A specialist who works in your area follows up to arrange a visit. Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation to go ahead.

Cities

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Yukon

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Request a quote

Tell us what needs doing, where and when. We reply by email with a price, or with the questions we need answered to price it.

Prefer email? Write to [email protected].

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