Renovation Price Guide in Quebec in 2026: Estimate Your Costs

Planning home renovation work in Quebec requires rigour and a strong understanding of the local economic reality. Whether you own an older duplex in Montréal, a modern condo in Québec City, or a single-family home in Estrie, using price benchmarks adapted to the Quebec market is essential.

Too often, generic online tools based on European or American markets mislead people. They rarely take into account Quebec’s climate, thermal insulation requirements, the Quebec Construction Code, and local labour costs.

In 2026, renovation costs in Quebec vary widely depending on the region, contractor availability, the condition of the building, the materials selected, and the complexity of the work. The price ranges below serve as preliminary budget benchmarks to help you better plan your estimate requests.

The Average Renovation Cost in Quebec per Square Foot (sq. ft.)

Source: Construction-Rénovation Clavel Inc.

To prepare a preliminary budget before even calling professionals, estimating based on the average price per sq. ft. remains one of the most practical methods. This approach helps categorize the scope of your project into three main levels of work. The prices presented below reflect common price ranges observed in the current Quebec market.

Example: For an intermediate renovation of 400 sq. ft. at $95/sq. ft., the base budget would be approximately $38,000 before taxes. By adding a 10% to 15% contingency margin and applicable taxes, the total cost could be around $48,000 to $50,000.

Light or Cosmetic Renovation ($10 to $45/sq. ft., Before Taxes)

Source: DUOCO inc.

Light renovation includes all surface-level work that does not affect the structure of the building or its technical systems, such as electricity or plumbing. This type of project is ideal for refreshing a property before selling it or shortly after buying a new condo.

This category includes:

• Applying paint to walls, ceilings, and trim.

• Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors, a classic feature in Quebec apartments and plexes.

• Replacing floor coverings with quality laminate or vinyl flooring.

• Changing hardware, such as door handles, standard light fixtures, and switches.

These projects lend themselves well to homeowners purchasing and comparing materials before the work begins. They generally require fewer specialized interventions than major renovations, which explains their lower cost per square foot.

Intermediate or Partial Renovation ($55 to $140/sq. ft., Before Taxes)

Source: H Man Reno

This is a higher level of work, where aesthetic changes are combined with the replacement of fixed elements and slight layout modifications. Intermediate renovation often requires the involvement of specialized trades for certain steps.

Typical work includes:

• Replacing kitchen countertops with more durable materials, such as quartz or granite, and changing cabinet doors.

• Installing a new bathroom vanity and replacing standard plumbing fixtures.

• Installing new ceramic flooring in an entryway or kitchen.

• Building new interior drywall divisions requires the expertise of a professional joint finisher to achieve an impeccable finish.

At this stage, part of the cost is influenced by the quality of the materials selected and the need to coordinate a few subcontractors.

Major or Structural Renovation ($150 to $260+/sq. ft., Before Taxes)

Source: RenoQuotes

Major renovation transforms the home in depth. It involves structural modifications, upgrading older systems to current standards, or complex work related to our northern climate, such as reinforced thermal insulation and air sealing.

This category includes:

• Opening load-bearing walls with the insertion of steel or engineered wood beams to create open-concept spaces.

• The complete overhaul of plumbing and electrical systems, sometimes necessary in older buildings, especially when installations are outdated, non-compliant, or insufficient for current needs.

• Complete wall insulation from the inside or outside using spray foam or rock wool.

• The complete replacement of doors and windows with high-performance models to improve insulation, air sealing, and interior comfort.

Some residential work may also be subject to CCQ rules, depending on the type of building, the building’s use, the nature of the work, and the owner’s status. Some residential renovation work carried out for an owner-occupant may, however, be excluded from the scope of application. When work is subject to CCQ rules, the contractor must hold the appropriate licences, the employees concerned must have the required competency certificates, and the hours worked must be declared according to the applicable rules.

Average Budget Estimate by Room

Because a square foot in a kitchen does not require the same investment as a square foot in a bedroom, it is useful to analyze the renovation budget by targeted space. Here is a comparison table to give you a quick overview in 2026:

Note: These ranges are provided for information purposes only. Actual costs may vary depending on the region, time of year, site accessibility, material quality, required permits, and conditions discovered once walls or floors are opened.

Price for a Complete Kitchen Renovation

Source: Capable group

The kitchen is one of the rooms that most influences a property’s perceived value, but the resale return depends on the market, the budget invested, and the quality of the work. The price of a kitchen renovation varies greatly depending on the size of the room and the type of materials.

Cabinets often represent close to 35% to 40% of the total budget. Polymer or lacquered MDF options offer excellent value for money, while solid wood increases the cost. Quartz is one of the commonly chosen countertop options because of its durability, easy maintenance, and high-end appearance.

Do not forget to include plumbing costs for moving the sink or adding an island, as well as dedicated electrical circuits for modern appliances. To compare approaches, inclusions, and prices, it can be useful to obtain several quotes from qualified kitchen specialists or contractors.

Budget to Plan for a Modern Bathroom

Source: Vision P&H

The bathroom is a technical room where humidity management is crucial. Costs are strongly influenced by waterproofing work and the installation of water-resistant finishes.

A modern bathroom generally includes an independent ceramic shower with an acrylic or composite base, a freestanding bathtub, and a wall-mounted vanity. Modifying the plumbing, such as moving the toilet or drains, can quickly add thousands of dollars to the project. Because of the risk of water infiltration, entrusting this work to qualified professionals is a wise investment to protect the structure of your home.

Basement Finishing and Renovation Cost

Source: Gestion Réno-Struction inc.

Finishing a basement is an excellent strategy for expanding a home’s living space without modifying its footprint. In Quebec, basement finishing must absolutely take humidity issues and the cold coming from the concrete slab into account.

The budget should cover:

• Installing an effective vapour barrier and high-quality thermal insulation on foundation walls.

• Installing a subfloor, such as Barricade or Dricore, to block cold from the ground before installing the final floor covering.

• Building divisions to create a family room, bedroom, or office.

• Electrical work, heating, such as the installation of electric baseboards or heated flooring, and the intervention of a joint finisher.

Often Forgotten Costs in a Renovation Estimate

A renovation estimate in Quebec would not be complete if it omitted peripheral expenses. These administrative and logistical details are too often what cause budget overruns for poorly prepared homeowners.

The Impact of Taxes (GST and QST) and Municipal Permits

When you receive a quote, always check whether the listed prices are before taxes or tax-included. In Quebec, GST and QST generally add 14.975% to the taxable cost of the work when calculated in a single step. On a taxable project of $60,000, this represents approximately $8,985 in taxes.

In Montreal, for example, the review fees for a permit application are calculated at $9.80 per $1,000 of work, with a minimum of $167.40 for a residential building and $491.70 for a commercial, industrial, or institutional building. Fees may vary depending on the municipality, the type of building, and the nature of the work.

Before starting the work, always check with your municipality or borough to determine whether a permit is required. Rules vary depending on the type of building, the nature of the work, and the property’s location.

Certain specific situations may also influence how taxes are applied, particularly depending on the type of work, the supplier’s status, or the goods and services included in the invoice.

The Contingency Fund for Unexpected Costs and Seasonality

The golden rule in renovation is to keep a financial safety margin of 10% to 15% of the total project value. When opening the walls of a Quebec home, it is not uncommon to discover hidden issues: mould caused by a past leak, outdated electrical wiring such as knob-and-tube wiring, or weakened joists.

Seasonality also plays a major role in prices in Quebec. The period from May to October is often very active for many contractors, especially for exterior work. Team and material availability may then be more limited. Planning interior work, such as basement finishing, in late fall or winter may sometimes allow you to negotiate better rates or obtain faster turnaround times.

How to Choose the Right General Contractor in Quebec

Source: RenoQuotes

The success of your project depends above all on the competence of the professionals who carry out the work. To avoid pitfalls and undeclared workers, you should follow strict selection criteria.

First, make sure the company holds a valid and appropriate licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). A valid RBQ licence confirms that the contractor is authorized to carry out the work corresponding to its licence subclasses. It is also tied to a licence security bond, currently $40,000 for a general contractor and $20,000 for a specialized contractor.

To secure your process, compare several estimates from verified contractors, for example, through a platform like RenoQuotes. A detailed quote should specify the scope of work, included materials, exclusions, timelines, payment terms, warranties, and applicable taxes. Also, compare exclusions, because two quotes at the same price may cover very different work. A trustworthy contractor will be transparent about their rates, provide a detailed written contract, and comply with applicable safety standards.