Renovating a condo in Vancouver is not simply a smaller version of renovating a house. You share walls, floors, plumbing stacks and elevators with your neighbours, and every step is governed by strata bylaws. These conditions shape the schedule, the methods your contractor can use and, ultimately, the price.
This guide gives realistic 2026 budgets for a full condo renovation in Vancouver and for the most common individual projects, then explains why condo work costs what it does and how to plan it efficiently. Prices are in Canadian dollars, include labour and materials and exclude GST.
How Much Does a Condo Renovation Cost in Vancouver?
| Scope | Typical 2026 Range | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic update | $25,000 to $60,000 | Paint, flooring, lighting, hardware, minor kitchen and bathroom updates |
| Kitchen or bathroom only | $30,000 to $90,000 per room | Full renovation of one room, same layout |
| Full-unit renovation | $120 to $300 per sq ft | Kitchen, bathroom(s), flooring, lighting, doors, trim and paint throughout |
Quick answer: A full renovation of a typical 650 sq ft one-bedroom condo in Vancouver costs roughly $85,000 to $165,000 in 2026, depending on finishes and whether any plumbing moves.
Full Condo Renovation Cost by Unit Size: Studio, 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom
| Unit Type | Typical Size | Mid-Range Finish | High-End Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 400 to 500 sq ft | $60,000 to $100,000 | $100,000 to $150,000 |
| 1-bedroom | 550 to 750 sq ft | $85,000 to $140,000 | $140,000 to $200,000 |
| 1-bedroom plus den | 700 to 850 sq ft | $95,000 to $160,000 | $160,000 to $230,000 |
| 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom | 850 to 1,100 sq ft | $120,000 to $200,000 | $200,000 to $300,000+ |
Condo renovation cost per square foot: most full-unit projects fall between $120 and $300 per sq ft. Smaller units sit at the higher end per square foot because the kitchen and bathroom make up a larger share of the total. Our bathroom renovation cost guide breaks that room down in detail.
Condo Kitchen Renovation Cost
Most condo kitchens we price through our kitchen renovation services in Vancouver fall into one of three levels.
| Level | Typical Range | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | $20,000 to $35,000 | Cabinet refacing or painting, new countertop, backsplash, sink and faucet |
| Mid-range | $35,000 to $65,000 | New cabinets, quartz countertop, backsplash, lighting, new appliances, same layout |
| High-end | $65,000 to $110,000+ | Custom millwork, integrated appliances, layout changes, premium surfaces |
Condo kitchens are often galley or L-shaped with limited options for moving plumbing. Refacing can be a smart choice when the cabinet boxes are sound; compare options in our guide to cabinet refacing vs replacing.
Condo Bathroom Renovation Cost
These ranges reflect typical strata projects handled by our bathroom renovation team in Vancouver.
| Level | Typical Range | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | $15,000 to $28,000 | Vanity, toilet, fixtures, lighting, paint |
| Full renovation, same layout | $30,000 to $55,000 | Full demolition, waterproofing, tile, fixtures, glass |
| Tub-to-shower or layout change | $40,000 to $65,000+ | New shower, drain changes, possible coring and engineer review |
Converting a tub to a walk-in shower is the most requested condo bathroom upgrade; see our breakdown of tub to shower conversion costs.
Condo Flooring Replacement Cost
Replacing flooring in a condo costs more than in a house because most strata corporations require an acoustic underlay that meets a minimum sound rating, and many restrict noisy work hours. Our flooring installation team in Vancouver is used to working within these rules.
| Flooring Type | Installed Cost per Sq Ft (incl. acoustic underlay) | 700 sq ft Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $7 to $12 | $4,900 to $8,400 |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $7.50 to $13 | $5,250 to $9,100 |
| Engineered hardwood | $12 to $22 | $8,400 to $15,400 |
| Porcelain tile | $16 to $35 | $11,200 to $24,500 |
Add $2 to $5 per sq ft to remove existing glued-down flooring and $2 to $5 per sq ft for levelling. For full pricing, see our flooring installation cost guide.
Why Condo Renovations Cost More: Strata Rules, Building Access and Fees
Condo projects come with costs that rarely apply to detached homes. Many homeowners forget to budget for them.
| Cost Item | Typical Range | Why It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Strata approval and alteration agreement | $0 to $1,500 | Some stratas charge for review or require professional drawings |
| Damage or renovation deposit | $500 to $5,000 (usually refundable) | Protects common property |
| Elevator booking and padding | $100 to $500 per booking | Required for material and debris moves |
| Restricted work hours | Adds 10 to 25% to labour time | Many buildings limit noisy work to weekday daytime hours |
| Parking and loading | $20 to $60 per day | Trades often pay for street or visitor parking |
| Debris handling | $1,000 to $4,000 | Disposal bins may not be allowed on site |
| Acoustic underlay | $1 to $3 per sq ft | Required by most stratas for hard flooring |
| Water shut-off coordination | $200 to $800 | Building manager or plumber needed to isolate risers |
Approval timelines vary from a few days to several weeks. Our article on BC strata renovation rules explains bylaws, approvals and alteration agreements in detail.
Layout Changes That Drive Cost: Moving Plumbing, Walls and Concrete Coring
Most Vancouver condo buildings are concrete with post-tensioned slabs. Cutting into a post-tensioned slab without scanning can damage steel tendons under high tension, which is dangerous and very expensive to repair.
| Change | Typical Added Cost | What Is Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete scanning (GPR) | $500 to $1,500 | Locates tendons, rebar and conduits before coring |
| Coring a new drain | $500 to $1,500 per core | Plus engineer review and strata approval |
| Moving a toilet or shower | $3,000 to $9,000+ | Scanning, coring, plumbing below in the unit underneath |
| Removing a non-structural wall | $2,500 to $8,000 | Demolition, patching floors and ceilings, relocating electrical |
| Opening a kitchen to the living area | $8,000 to $25,000 | Wall removal, new electrical, possible ventilation changes |
In some buildings, plumbing work requires access to the unit below. This adds coordination time and may require repairs to a neighbour’s ceiling.
How Long Does a Condo Renovation Take?
| Phase | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Design and selections | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Strata approval | 1 to 6 weeks |
| City permits (if required) | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Bathroom renovation | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Kitchen renovation | 5 to 8 weeks |
| Full-unit renovation | 10 to 16 weeks |
Restricted work hours and elevator scheduling are the main reasons condo projects take longer than similar work in a house. This is especially true in high-rise towers, where many kitchen renovations in Burnaby take place.
Is Renovating a Condo Worth It in Vancouver?
Renovating usually makes sense when one of the following applies:
- You plan to stay at least five years and the unit has dated kitchens, bathrooms or flooring.
- Buying a renovated unit in the same building would cost more than your purchase price plus renovation.
- The building is well maintained, with a healthy contingency reserve fund and no major special levies planned.
Renovating may not make sense if the building faces large upcoming repairs, if strata bylaws restrict the changes you want, or if you plan to sell soon and the renovation cost exceeds the price difference between renovated and unrenovated units in your building.
Frequently Asked Questions About Condo Renovation Costs
How much does it cost to renovate a 1-bedroom condo in Vancouver?
A full renovation of a typical one-bedroom condo usually costs between $85,000 and $165,000 in 2026, depending on finishes and layout changes.
Do I need strata approval to renovate my condo?
Almost always. Most bylaws require written approval before alterations to flooring, plumbing, electrical, walls or anything affecting common property.
Can I move plumbing in a concrete condo?
Often yes, with concrete scanning, an engineer’s review and strata approval. It adds cost and time, so keeping fixtures in place is usually the better value.
Do I need a city permit for a condo renovation?
Permits are typically required for plumbing, electrical and structural changes. Cosmetic work often does not need one. See our guide to building permits in Vancouver.
What flooring is allowed in Vancouver condos?
Most stratas allow hard flooring if it is installed over an approved acoustic underlay that meets the building’s sound rating requirement. Check your bylaws before ordering. Many owners choose LVP for its sound and water performance; see our LVP flooring guide.
Get a Strata-Ready Condo Renovation Quote
Learn more about our condo renovation services in Vancouver and how we prepare the paperwork your strata will ask for.
Reimagine Construction & Renovation has extensive experience working within strata rules, concrete construction and building restrictions across Greater Vancouver. We prepare the documentation stratas ask for, plan around work hours and protect common areas so approvals move faster.
Contact us for a strata-ready, itemized quote.
