Before & After: What a Vancouver Renovation Actually Looks Like (2026)

A Vancouver renovation is not a small decision. The average kitchen remodel in Metro Vancouver runs $30,000–$55,000; a whole-house renovation can reach $150,000 or more. Homeowners often struggle to picture what that investment actually delivers until the dust settles and the contractors leave.

This guide shows real before-and-after photographs from Reno Stars projects completed in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, West Vancouver, and Maple Ridge in 2025–2026. Each example shows the actual starting condition, the scope of work, the final result, and what the project cost. Every number comes from a real contract.

What Does a Before-and-After Vancouver Renovation Actually Cost?

The short answer: it depends entirely on the scope and the condition you start with. Here is what Reno Stars' 2025–2026 project data shows across 58 completed renovations:

• Kitchen renovations: $20,000–$38,000 for a full-scope gut renovation including cabinetry, countertops, and appliances.
• Bathroom renovations: $14,000–$45,000 depending on whether it is a powder-room refresh or a full bathroom rebuild with new plumbing.
• Whole-house renovations: $23,000–$28,000 for multi-room projects; $150,000+ for full structural renovations.
• Commercial fit-outs: $23,000–$25,000 for retail and small-office projects.

These are all-in figures from signed contracts, not estimates. They include materials, labour, permits, and project management — the total a homeowner or business owner actually pays when Reno Stars hands over the keys.

West Vancouver Luxury Bathroom: From Outdated to European Spa

The West Vancouver bathroom renovation shown in the before-and-after photographs started with a standard 1990s bathtub-shower combo, dated tile, and a vanity that showed its age. The after photograph shows a walk-in curbless shower with frameless glass, a freestanding soaking tub, matte gold fixtures, and porcelain slab tiles on the floor and walls.

The project scope included demo of the existing bathroom to the studs, new plumbing rough-in for the curbless shower, waterproofing, new radiant floor heating, tile installation throughout, custom millwork for the vanity and storage, and fixture installation including the freestanding tub. The project took seven weeks from demo to handover.

View the full West Vancouver luxury bathroom project with all before-and-after photographs.

Planning a bathroom renovation? Get a free, no-obligation quote from Reno Stars.

Maple Ridge Bathroom: Custom Glass Door and Modern Fixtures

A Maple Ridge homeowner wanted to convert a dated tub-shower combo into a modern walk-in shower with a custom glass door. The before photographs show standard white tile, a sliding glass door in a brushed-nickel frame, and a laminate vanity. The after photographs show large-format matte white tiles, a frameless glass panel with a custom support bar, a wall-mounted floating vanity, and matte black fixtures throughout.

The scope included removing the existing tub and tiling, reframing the opening for the new glass configuration, installing a linear drain, waterproofing the entire shower enclosure, and installing new bathroom ventilation to code. The project took four weeks and cost significantly less than a full bathroom rebuild because the plumbing rough-in did not need to be relocated.

View the Maple Ridge custom glass door project with full before-and-after documentation.

Richmond Kitchen: White Shaker Cabinet and Quartz Countertop

The Richmond kitchen renovation began with dark laminate cabinets, dated laminate countertops, and original fluorescent lighting from the 1990s. The after photographs show white shaker cabinets with soft-close hardware, a continuous quartz countertop with a waterfall edge on the island, updated recessed and under-cabinet LED lighting, and new appliances in a stainless finish.

The scope covered full cabinet replacement, removal of the old countertop and backsplash, new quartz fabrication and installation, electrical updates including new circuits for the appliances, and coordination with a gas line relocation for the new range. This was a returning customer's second project with Reno Stars — their bathroom had been completed the year prior.

See the full Richmond kitchen before and after.

Need a kitchen renovation quote? Contact Reno Stars for a free in-home consultation.

Dental Clinic Burnaby: Commercial Tenant Improvement Before and After

Before-and-after is not only for homes. A Burnaby dental clinic needed a full tenant improvement to update its staff kitchenette and reception area. The before photographs showed laminate cabinetry, dated laminate countertops, fluorescent overhead lighting, and a reception desk that no longer reflected the clinic's brand. The after photographs show custom millwork in a white laminate with integrated LED lighting, quartz countertops, new recessed lighting, and a reception desk with a modern floating design.

The project was completed in six weeks with work done in phases so the clinic could maintain partial operations during construction — a critical consideration for medical and dental tenant improvements that homeowners do not typically face.

View the full dental clinic Burnaby tenant improvement.

What Affects Before-and-After Renovation Cost in Vancouver?

Three factors drive the biggest cost differences between renovation projects in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver:

• Condition of existing structure: A bathroom in a 1970s home may require asbestos abatement if floor tiles need to be removed. A condo built in 2005 may only need surface-level updates. Pre-1990 homes in Vancouver and North Vancouver frequently require electrical panel upgrades as part of any major renovation.
• Plumbing and electrical relocation: Moving drain lines, water supply, or electrical circuits adds significant cost because it requires permits, inspections, and licensed trades. Keeping fixtures in their existing locations is the single biggest cost-saver on any Vancouver renovation.
• Scope creep: Homeowners who decide mid-project to upgrade from porcelain to natural stone tile, or from laminate to quartz, face change-order costs that can add 15–25% to the project total. A detailed scope document agreed upon before signing the contract prevents these surprises.

How to Prepare for a Renovation: Before the Contractor Arrives

Before Reno Stars arrives on site, homeowners should take three steps that reduce delays and change orders:

1. Document the existing conditions: Photograph every room from multiple angles — corners, ceilings, and inside all cabinets and closets. Share these photographs with your contractor before the first site visit so the estimator has a complete picture before pricing.
2. Decide on a realistic budget range: Reno Stars' 2025–2026 data shows kitchen renovations ranging from $20,000 to $38,000. A budget of $25,000–$35,000 covers a full-scope mid-range kitchen renovation in Metro Vancouver. Going in with a realistic range prevents disappointment when the first quote arrives.
3. Review the contractor's past projects: Every before-and-after photograph in this guide links to a full project page on reno-stars.com. Ask any contractor you are considering for similar project documentation before signing a contract.

Frequently Asked Questions About Before-and-After Renovations in Vancouver

How much does a before-and-after kitchen renovation cost in Vancouver?

A full-scope kitchen renovation in Vancouver or Metro Vancouver costs $20,000–$38,000 based on 2025–2026 Reno Stars contracts. The range reflects differences in size, cabinetry selection, countertop material, and whether plumbing or electrical needs to be relocated. A budget under $20,000 typically covers cosmetic updates only — refacing cabinet doors, new hardware, and paint — rather than a full gut renovation.

How long does a Vancouver bathroom renovation take?

A standard bathroom renovation in Vancouver takes four to seven weeks from demo to handover, based on Reno Stars' 2025–2026 project data. A powder-room refresh can be completed in two to three weeks. A master bathroom with new plumbing configurations, curbless shower, and custom tiling takes six to ten weeks. Whole-house renovations with multiple bathrooms and kitchens can extend to three to six months.

Do I need a permit for a bathroom or kitchen renovation in Vancouver?

Most bathroom and kitchen renovations in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver require a building permit if they involve plumbing, electrical work, or structural changes. Cosmetic updates — painting, hardware replacement, and refacing — do not typically require a permit. Reno Stars handles all permit applications as part of its project management service, and the permit cost is included in the contract price.

What is the biggest mistake homeowners make in Vancouver renovations?

The most common mistake is underestimating the cost of pre-existing conditions. A 1970s Vancouver home may contain asbestos in floor tiles or pipe insulation, which requires professional abatement before any demo can begin. Knob-and-tube wiring may be present in older homes and requires an electrical panel upgrade before new circuits can be added. A thorough home inspection before purchasing a home to renovate — or before signing a renovation contract — prevents these surprises from becoming budget shocks mid-project.

Can I live in my home during a Vancouver renovation?

For a single-bathroom renovation, most homeowners can remain in the home by using a secondary bathroom. For whole-house renovations where all kitchens or bathrooms are out of service simultaneously, temporary relocation is typically necessary. Reno Stars coordinates with homeowners to phase the work so that at least one bathroom remains functional throughout the project whenever possible.

Ready to see what your renovation could look like? Request a free consultation with Reno Stars — we bring before-and-after photographs from real projects in your city to every first meeting.