Ask five contractors what a kitchen renovation costs and you'll get five different answers — none of them wrong. A kitchen can be transformed for $9,000 with a well-executed cabinet refacing, or it can run past $80,000 when you're rebuilding a layout from scratch with high-end custom millwork. Both are legitimate projects. The gap exists because the scope, materials and level of customization are completely different.
What doesn't help homeowners is vague guidance like "expect to spend 5–10% of your home's value." That formula may work in Toronto, but it doesn't reflect Quebec's market or the specific choices you're making. After 30 years of building kitchens across Greater Montreal, we've learned that the most useful thing we can give a client upfront is a clear breakdown of where the money actually goes.
The table below reflects typical installed costs in the Greater Montreal area in 2026, including labour and materials but excluding GST/QST. These are working ranges — your specific quote will depend on the size of your kitchen, the materials you choose, and site conditions.
| Project Type | Typical Range | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet refacing only | $8,000 – $15,000 | Sound box structure, layout works well, cosmetic update needed |
| Semi-custom cabinets + countertops | $20,000 – $35,000 | Full cabinet replacement, standard sizes, quartz or laminate countertops |
| Full renovation (mid-range) | $30,000 – $50,000 | New cabinets, countertops, flooring, backsplash, some plumbing/electrical |
| Full custom kitchen | $50,000 – $80,000+ | Made-to-measure millwork, premium materials, layout changes, high-end finishes |
Note on financing: ALTO Cuisines works with iFinance Canada to offer flexible financing options. A $25,000 project may be more accessible than you think — ask us about monthly payment plans when you request your estimate.
Understanding what moves a kitchen budget helps you make smarter trade-offs. These are the factors that consistently add cost:
Cabinet refacing gets less attention than it deserves. The concept is straightforward: your existing cabinet boxes stay in place, and new doors, drawer fronts, and matching veneer are applied to all visible surfaces. The result is a kitchen that looks completely new — because everything you actually see is new.
Refacing makes the most sense when your current layout is functional and the box interiors are in good shape. It's not a workaround or a compromise — it's the right call for a large share of kitchens in the Greater Montreal area, where well-built boxes from the 1990s and 2000s still have decades of life in them.
At ALTO, cabinet refacing is one of our core services. We've refined the process over 30 years and the installations are built to last. If you're unsure whether your kitchen is a candidate, that's exactly what the free in-home estimate is for.
Online calculators and price-per-square-foot estimates have limited value for kitchen projects. A kitchen is too specific — the ceiling height, the number of corner cabinets, the presence of a peninsula, the complexity of the countertop edge detail — all of it affects the final number in ways a formula can't capture.
The only reliable way to get an accurate quote is an in-home visit. A contractor who quotes a kitchen without seeing it is guessing, and that guess tends to go in one of two directions: too low (problems discovered mid-project) or too high (padding for unknowns). Neither serves you well.
Our estimates are free, come with no obligation, and are based on an actual visit to your home. We'll measure the space, assess the existing structure, and give you a detailed written quote with a clear scope of work.
In Quebec, kitchen renovations typically range from $8,000–$15,000 for cabinet refacing, $20,000–$35,000 for a mid-range full renovation with semi-custom cabinets, and $45,000–$75,000+ for a fully custom kitchen. The final cost depends on kitchen size, materials, scope of work and whether structural changes are involved.
Cabinet refacing is worth it when the existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound and the layout works for you. It replaces doors, drawer fronts and all visible surfaces at roughly 40–60% of the cost of full cabinet replacement, with a result that's visually identical to new cabinets.
A cabinet refacing project typically takes 3–5 days on site. A full kitchen renovation with new cabinets, countertops and flooring generally runs 3–6 weeks depending on scope and whether any plumbing or electrical work is involved.
In Quebec, any contractor performing construction or renovation work must hold a valid RBQ licence. This applies to kitchen renovations involving cabinetry installation, plumbing or electrical work. Always verify your contractor's RBQ number before signing a contract. ALTO Cuisines holds licence 5806-4775-01.
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