Understanding Condo Renovation Costs
If you own a condo in Metro Vancouver and you’re thinking about renovating, your first question is probably about money. How much does a condo renovation cost in Vancouver in 2026? The answer depends on what you’re doing, how old your building is, and how much design work is involved. But the ranges below, drawn from projects we’ve completed across Vancouver, Burnaby, and Coquitlam, should give you a realistic starting point for budgeting..
Condo renovations are different from house renovations in ways that directly affect cost. You’re working within a concrete or wood-frame structure you can’t modify. You’re subject to strata rules about working hours, noise, elevator booking, and material delivery. And, depending on your building, you may need engineering assessments before you touch a single wall. All of this factors into the project timeline and final price.
Condo Renovation Costs by Project Type
The condo renovation cost in Vancouver in 2026 varies widely depending on scope of work. Here’s what you can expect for the most common project types.
| Project Type | Typical Range | Per Sq Ft | Timeline |
| Kitchen renovation | $40,000 – $80,000 | $140 – $250/sqft | 6 – 10 weeks |
| Bathroom renovation | $25,000 – $55,000 | $250 – $550/sqft | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Full condo (2BR) | $150,000 – $350,000 | $150 – $300/sqft | 3 – 6 months |
| Cosmetic refresh | $15,000 – $40,000 | $15 – $40/sqft | 2 – 4 weeks |
These ranges reflect Metro Vancouver pricing in 2026 and include labour, materials, permits, and the overhead associated with working in a strata building. The per-square-foot figures are useful for initial budgeting but should not be taken as precise estimates for your unit. A 900-square-foot condo with a 1980s electrical panel and plumbing that needs rerouting will cost significantly more per square foot than the same-size unit with a straightforward material replacement.
Kitchen Renovations
A kitchen renovation in a condo typically runs between $40,000 and $80,000 for a mid-range to high-end result. That includes new cabinetry, countertops, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and flooring. If your unit has an older layout and you want to open up the kitchen to the living area, add structural assessment costs and potentially engineering fees, since you may be dealing with load-bearing elements in a concrete building.
The lower end of this range covers a kitchen where the layout stays the same and finishes are mid-range: solid wood or quality thermofoil cabinets, quartz countertops, and standard appliances. The upper end involves layout modifications, custom cabinetry, integrated appliances, and opening a wall to the living area.
Bathroom Renovations
Bathroom renovations range from $25,000 to $55,000 per bathroom. Waterproofing is a significant cost driver in condo bathrooms because failure isn’t just your problem, it’s the unit below you. Expect your contractor to spec a proper waterproofing membrane system, not just tile over existing surfaces. If your building’s plumbing stack is accessible, fixture relocation is possible but adds cost. In our experience, older concrete buildings in Vancouver’s West End and downtown often require complete waterproofing system replacements, which adds $3,000 to $6,000 to the scope but is non-negotiable from both a building science and strata liability perspective.
Full Condo Renovations
A full condo renovation, meaning kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, paint, and possibly some layout changes, typically falls between $150,000 and $350,000 for a two-bedroom unit in Vancouver. Units in older concrete towers from the 1970s and 1980s tend toward the higher end because of outdated electrical, plumbing, and insulation that needs upgrading once walls are opened.
We’ve completed full condo renovations in the $155,000 to $245,000 range for units between 900 and 1,000 square feet, depending on the condition of the existing systems and the level of finish. Projects that involve significant plumbing relocation, electrical panel upgrades, or custom millwork consistently land in the upper half of that range.
What Drives Condo Renovation Costs Up in Vancouver
Several factors push condo renovation costs higher than comparable work in a house, and most of them have nothing to do with your taste in finishes.
Building logistics are the big one. Most strata buildings restrict construction hours, limit elevator use, and require hallway protection during material delivery. Your contractor needs to plan around these constraints, which means the same scope of work takes longer in a condo than in a house. In Metro Vancouver, these logistics alone can add $3,000 to $8,000 to a project compared to equivalent house work.
Material delivery to upper floors adds cost. There’s no backing a truck up to the front door. Everything goes through the loading dock, up the elevator, and down the hallway. Disposal works the same way in reverse. For a full-unit renovation, debris removal alone can be a multi-day process. Elevator booking fees, which vary by building, add another line item.
Strata requirements also affect scope. Many buildings require that you hire a licensed plumber for any plumbing modifications, that you use specific waterproofing systems, or that you obtain engineering sign-off before altering walls. Some buildings require a damage deposit before work begins. These aren’t optional, and they add to the project total. For a detailed breakdown of what strata approvals involve, see our strata approval guide.
Finally, design complexity matters. A straightforward material replacement (same layout, new surfaces) is significantly cheaper than a renovation that involves layout changes, custom millwork, or integrated lighting design. If you’re working with a design-build firm like reVISION, the design fees are part of the investment, but they’re also what ensures the final result works spatially and functionally, not just aesthetically.
Age of your building is another major factor. Pre-1990 concrete towers frequently have 60-amp electrical panels, galvanized plumbing, and asbestos-containing materials in drywall compound or floor tiles. None of these are visible until demolition begins, and all of them require remediation that adds to your budget. This is why a contingency fund matters.
How to Budget Realistically for a Condo Renovation
The most common budgeting mistake condo owners make is pricing their renovation based on per-square-foot averages they find online. Those numbers are almost always misleading. A $200/sqft average doesn’t mean much when your specific project involves moving plumbing, upgrading electrical to current code, and custom cabinetry.
A better approach is to define your scope of work first, then get a detailed estimate. Start with a clear list of what you want to change. Are you keeping the existing layout or modifying it? Are you replacing appliances or keeping what you have? Do your bathrooms need full waterproofing work or just surface updates?
Once your scope is defined, a design-build firm can give you a more accurate cost range before you commit to a full design. At reVISION, we use a pre-construction advisory phase specifically for this: we assess your unit, review strata requirements, identify any structural or building-system constraints, and give you a realistic budget range before design work begins. For projects over $60,000, the advisory fee is $3,500, credited toward your project if you proceed. This avoids the common trap of designing something you can’t afford to build.
You should also budget a contingency of 10% to 15% of the total project cost. In condo renovations, surprises tend to appear when walls are opened. Old buildings may have asbestos in drywall compound, outdated wiring that doesn’t meet current code, or plumbing connections that need replacement. A contingency budget keeps these discoveries from derailing your project.
For a broader look at renovation pricing across all project types in Metro Vancouver, see our guide to how much a home renovation costs in Vancouver in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Condo Renovation Costs
How much does it cost to renovate a 1,000 sq ft condo in Vancouver?
A full renovation of a 1,000-square-foot condo in Vancouver typically costs between $150,000 and $300,000 in 2026, depending on the scope of work, condition of existing systems, and level of finish. Units in older concrete buildings tend toward the higher end due to electrical, plumbing, and insulation upgrades required once walls are opened.
Are condo renovations more expensive than house renovations?
Yes, typically by 10% to 20% for equivalent scope. The premium comes from building logistics (restricted hours, elevator booking, hallway protection, debris removal through common areas), strata approval requirements, and the need for specialized waterproofing in multi-unit buildings. The construction itself is similar, but the coordination overhead is higher.
Do I need strata approval to renovate my condo?
For cosmetic updates like paint, flooring, or cabinet replacements that don’t affect plumbing, electrical, or structural elements, most stratas don’t require formal approval. For anything that touches building systems, modifies walls, or affects common property (including the waterproofing membrane in your bathroom), you’ll need to submit plans for strata council review. The BC Strata Property Act governs what alterations require approval. Allow one to two months for the approval process before your construction start date.
How long does a condo renovation take in Vancouver?
Timelines depend on scope. A kitchen renovation typically takes 6 to 10 weeks from demolition to completion. A full condo renovation runs 3 to 6 months for construction, plus 1 to 3 months of pre-construction (design, strata approval, permitting). The restricted construction hours in most Vancouver buildings extend timelines compared to house projects.
Should I budget for a contingency?
Always. We recommend 10% to 15% of the total project budget. In condo renovations, hidden conditions behind walls, including outdated wiring, deteriorated plumbing, and asbestos-containing materials, are common in buildings built before 1990. A contingency fund keeps your project on track when these discoveries occur.
Ready to Plan Your Condo Renovation?
If you’re at the stage where you know you want to renovate but aren’t sure what it will cost for your specific unit, the next step is a consultation with a contractor who understands condo work.
Not every renovation company has experience navigating strata approvals, coordinating with building management, and working within the constraints of a multi-unit residential building. These are specialized skills that directly affect how smoothly your project runs and whether you stay on budget.
reVISION Design + Build specializes in condo renovations in Metro Vancouver. We handle everything from the initial strata approval through design, permitting, and construction. If you’re ready to get a realistic sense of what your renovation will cost, reach out for a consultation. We’ll walk through your unit, your goals, and your budget, and tell you what’s feasible before you spend a dollar on design.