I decided to create this section of my website - to help you, other contractors, and others who are just curious or dreaming about renovating your home. I also did this so I woulden't have to get into specifics each time an estimate was done. So, I created this detailed quote/estimate on what you can expect to pay when renovating each room completly.

In my material's quote - I used the actual prices from the major renovations stores you'll find locally, such as Home Depot, Rona and Reno. I also did my quote using the cheapest materials required to get the job done.

I already know, you'll not want to use the cheapest materials and you'll also not want to use the products I have listed, but - at least you'll see just how low the actual cost "can" be if you wanted any specific room totally gutted and redone. There is no-one on the internet that has a list like this - I already checked :) I hope this helps you out :)

Actually - many reasons. Big Renovations Store's with the small print and the sloppy services they offer "Quick Installs". Smooth talking Low-Balling expert contractors that just want you to sign on the dotted line so that they can give you the real bill at the end, Joe Blow next door that really does not have a clue of what is actually required - but thinks because he watched a few TV Home Make-Over Shows, that he can do it too.

I just want to give you the details so you will not be surprised when the final bill comes in. I want to show you what it actually costs - labor not included.

Many people visit huge renovation stores and see the kitchen they dream of owning. They look at the display, like the price, and buy the cabinets. So, let's pretend we are one of those people. We walked into Ikea, with our pad and paper measurements. We see the counters that will fit perfectly. We agree on the price - so we buy the $2500 cabinets - end of story :) ......... No

We quickly find out - the price does not include installation, hardware, or the sink we see on display. The price is for the cabinets alone - No assembly, no tiles, no sink. So .... we see they offer to install the cabinets for us, for an extra fee - we also have to buy the sink and countertop as well. The tiles are in the flooring department - sorry - another extra.

Ok - So we agree'd on the installation of the cabinets, we bought the sink, the faucet's, and the handles etc ... and the price rised to $5000. Wow! So we are set - Here comes the kitchen of our dreams :) No!

We soon find out - demolition of our existing counters is not included with the cost of installation. Wall repairs, flooring, tiles, plumbing, electricity, time and labor is also not included. They then tell us - you have to have everything ready for our installation services we already paid for - so now we are stuck.

Anyhow - The list goes on and on ...

These are quick estimates under normal circumstances. I am creating this using the cheapest materials I can find. Sink, tiles, faucet, and cabinets, can really vary in prices ranging from low end to insane high. I am also including the details you may have not thought about - building material

A 50 cent mesh bag used to remove your debris after the demolition of your old kitchen, doesn't sound like much - but you'll be using over 40 bags in your standard complete kitchen renovation - costing $20 before you even started. Lumber, wood screws, drywall, cement board, tile glue, etc .. will run you a few more hundred dollars than expected. Don't forget dumping fee's.

On the estimates, I rounded off the numbers for quick math. The prices are an approximate price and vary from store to store. Always look for specials. Your kitchen also will be different from the 10 x 10 kitchen we are using so you should add a few more dollars to your budget just in case.

You'll also want to learn a little about tiles, that on sale tile might not be such a good idea if they always break or are uneven. Buy enough extra tiles for a bad cut or future repairs. Your tiles may be next impossible to find if the style has been discontinued. I see this problem all of the time. Think ahead.