How much does a home renovation cost in Toronto? The answer depends on what you are changing, the condition of your home, and how extensive the renovation will be.
A basic renovation with paint, flooring, and new fixtures has a very different cost from a full home renovation involving a new kitchen, several bathrooms, structural changes, and updated mechanical systems.
For Toronto homeowners, the age of the house can also make a big difference. Older homes may have outdated plumbing, knob and tube wiring, foundation repairs, or other work that only becomes clear once construction begins.
This guide breaks down current Toronto renovation pricing and the main factors that can affect your final cost.
Key Takeaways
- The average home renovation cost varies considerably depending on project scope and finish level.
- Current Toronto estimates put cosmetic work around $100 to $150 per square foot.
- Kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovation costs depend heavily on plumbing, electrical work, materials, and layout changes.
- A mid-range whole-home renovation can cost several hundred thousand dollars, while a full gut renovation may cost significantly more.
- Building permits, drawings, engineering, and other soft costs should be included in your renovation budget.
- Older homes can have unexpected costs that are difficult to identify before walls and floors are opened.
Average Home Renovation Cost in Toronto
Current 2026 Toronto renovation pricing from HomeStars shows just how wide the cost range can be.
| Renovation Type | Typical 2026 Cost Range |
| Cosmetic refresh | $100 to $150 per sq. ft. |
| Mid-range single-room renovation | $150 to $300 per sq. ft. |
| Kitchen renovation | $20,000 to $100,000+ |
| Bathroom renovation | $15,000 to $55,000+ |
| Basement renovation | $30,000 to $100,000+ |
| Mid-range full house renovation | $200,000 to $600,000 |
| Full gut renovation | $750,000+ |
| Home addition | $100,000 to $600,000+ |
These are third-party market estimates, not SunnyLea Homes’ quoted prices. Your actual renovation cost in Toronto can fall above or below these ranges depending on the existing house, materials, labour, structural work, and renovation scope.
Cost per square foot is useful for early planning, but it should not replace a detailed estimate.
Kitchen Renovation Cost in Toronto
A kitchen renovation cost can vary widely because kitchens combine cabinetry, countertops, appliances, plumbing and electrical work, flooring, lighting, and finishing work in one room.
Keeping the existing layout can help keep the scope simpler. Moving plumbing, changing a major layout, removing load-bearing walls, or adding extensive custom millwork can increase both labour costs and the overall renovation cost.
Current Toronto estimates place many kitchen renovations between about $20,000 and $100,000 or more, depending on the level of work.
If the kitchen is the main part of your project, SunnyLea’s kitchen renovations in Toronto page explains the types of kitchen work involved, from smaller updates to complete renovations.
Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto
A bathroom renovation may be small in square footage, but it often requires several skilled trades.
The bathroom renovation cost can be affected by:
- plumbing changes
- waterproofing
- tile
- heated floors
- custom vanities
- electrical work
- lighting
- glass shower enclosures
- fixture quality
Current Toronto renovation estimates put many bathroom renovations between roughly $15,000 and $55,000 or more.
Bathroom remodels that keep fixtures in the same locations generally involve less work than projects where plumbing and walls are being moved.
Basement Renovation Cost in Toronto
A basement renovation can range from a basic finished space to a complete renovation with bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and major mechanical upgrades.
Current Toronto estimates place basement renovation costs around $30,000 to $100,000 or more for many projects. More involved projects can go higher. A legal secondary suite, for example, may involve additional fire-safety, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building requirements.
Other factors that can change a basement renovation cost include:
- waterproofing
- foundation repairs
- ceiling height
- adding a bathroom
- moving plumbing
- electrical upgrades
- insulation
- separate entrances
- structural work
These are good examples of why square-foot pricing alone does not tell the whole story.
Whole-Home Renovation Cost in Toronto
A whole-home renovation cost depends on how much of the existing house is being changed.
Mid-range renovations may include flooring, a kitchen, bathrooms, lighting, interior finishes, and some mechanical upgrades without completely rebuilding the interior.
A full renovation can go much further. A full gut renovation may involve removing most interior finishes, replacing plumbing systems and electrical work, changing layouts, updating heating or central air conditioning, and completing structural changes.
HomeStars currently estimates a mid-range full house renovation at roughly $200,000 to $600,000, while extensive full gut renovations of older Toronto homes can reach $750,000 or considerably more.
The condition of the home matters just as much as its square footage.
Home Addition Costs in Toronto
Adding new space usually involves more construction than renovating an existing room.
A home addition can require:
- architectural drawings
- engineering
- excavation and foundations
- structural framing
- roofing
- exterior finishes
- plumbing and electrical work
- HVAC changes
- windows and doors
- building permits
Current market estimates put many Toronto home additions between approximately $100,000 and $600,000 or more, depending on size and complexity.
If you are considering expanding instead of rearranging the existing layout, SunnyLea’s home additions in Toronto and the GTA page explains the type of work involved.
What Affects Renovation Costs in Toronto?
Two homes with the same square footage can have very different renovation budgets.
Existing Condition
An older house may have outdated wiring, aging plumbing systems, water damage, or structural conditions that need attention before new finishes are installed.
Knob and tube wiring is one example of an issue that may be discovered in older Toronto homes during a renovation.
Structural Changes
Removing load-bearing walls, creating new openings, changing floor plans, or building an addition can require engineering and more construction work.
Materials and Finishes
Cabinetry, flooring, tile, countertops, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and custom millwork all affect the final price.
High-end renovations with custom materials will naturally have a different cost range from basic renovations or minimal upgrades.
Labour and Project Management
A larger renovation project may involve designers, engineers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, carpenters, tile installers, and other specialized trades.
Coordinating those people in the correct order is part of the project management required for a full renovation.
Mechanical and Energy Upgrades
Older homes may need updates to electrical panels, plumbing, heating, ventilation, central air conditioning, or other mechanical systems.
Some homeowners also use a renovation as an opportunity to improve insulation or energy efficiency. These upgrades add to the initial renovation budget but should be considered separately based on the needs of the house.
Toronto Building Permit Costs
Building permits are another part of the home renovation cost that can be easy to overlook.
Toronto requires permits for many additions, structural alterations, plumbing changes, and other types of construction.
The City’s 2026 Toronto building permit fee schedule lists a minimum permit fee of $214.79. The actual building permit fees depend on the type and amount of work being completed.
Your renovation budget may also need to account for additional renovation costs such as architectural drawings, engineering, surveys, or temporary housing during a large project.
These soft costs can vary considerably, so they should be priced for the specific renovation rather than estimated as a fixed percentage.
What About Electrical Work?
Electrical work in Ontario has separate requirements.
The Electrical Safety Authority says almost all electrical work must be reported through a Notification of Work. If you hire someone to perform electrical work in your home, that work must be completed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
ESA also explains that a Toronto building permit is not the same thing as an electrical notification. Some renovation projects may require both.
You can find the requirements in the Electrical Safety Authority’s notification and inspection guidance.
How to Plan a Realistic Renovation Budget
Start with a clear renovation scope instead of choosing a budget from a general per-square-foot number.
A detailed estimate should explain:
- project scope
- labour costs
- material allowances
- permits
- professional fees
- payment schedule
- expected timeline
- how changes and unexpected costs will be approved
Ontario recommends getting at least three written estimates. If an estimate becomes part of the renovation contract, Ontario consumer rules generally prevent the final price from exceeding that estimate by more than 10% unless you agree to additional work or a new price.
The province explains these rules in its home renovation and repair consumer guidance.
For an older home, it is also sensible to leave room in the renovation budget for hidden costs or essential repairs that cannot be confirmed until demolition begins.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does a home renovation cost in Toronto?
There is no single number.
A bathroom renovation may cost tens of thousands of dollars, while a full home renovation or addition can reach several hundred thousand dollars. A complete renovation of an older house with major structural work and mechanical upgrades can cost considerably more.
The best way to think about renovation pricing is to start with the scope, condition of the home, and level of finish you want. Cost per square foot can help with early planning, but a detailed estimate will give you a much clearer picture of the final cost.
If you already have a home and renovation scope in mind, you can contact SunnyLea Homes about your renovation project to discuss the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to renovate a 2,000-square-foot house in Toronto?
There is no reliable flat rate based only on square footage. Current market estimates place some mid-range full home renovations between about $200,000 and $600,000. A full gut renovation involving structural changes and replacement of major systems can cost considerably more.
What is the average home renovation cost per square foot in Toronto?
The cost per square foot depends on the renovation scope. Current Toronto estimates put cosmetic refreshes around $100 to $150 per sq. ft., while more involved renovations can cost significantly more per square foot.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Toronto?
Current published estimates place many kitchen renovations between roughly $20,000 and $100,000 or more. Cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, electrical work, materials, and layout changes all affect the final cost.
What is the average bathroom renovation cost in Toronto?
Current estimates place many Toronto bathroom renovations between approximately $15,000 and $55,000 or more. Moving plumbing, adding heated floors, custom tile, and premium fixtures can increase the renovation cost.
How much does a basement renovation cost in Toronto?
Many basement renovations fall around $30,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the size and scope. Legal secondary suites, bathrooms, kitchens, underpinning, waterproofing, and major mechanical work can increase the cost.
Do I need a building permit for a renovation in Toronto?
It depends on the work. Additions, structural changes, and many plumbing or building-system alterations require permits. Cosmetic renovations may not. Requirements should be confirmed for the specific project before work starts.