Laundry Room Renovation Cost Vancouver 2026: Closet, Dedicated & Stacked Setups

Laundry rooms get the smallest budget on most Vancouver renovation projects — and the most expensive surprises. A simple stackable swap turns into a $5,000 plumbing reroute when the trap arm fails inspection. Here's what laundry room renovation actually costs in Metro Vancouver in 2026, broken down by setup and based on real Reno Stars project data.

Quick price summary

Prices are installed and include the appliances OR the contractor labour to install owner-supplied appliances, supply lines, dryer vent ducting up to 6 feet, GFCI outlets where required, and disposal of the old units. Permits, structural moves (relocating drain or vent stack), gas line work for gas dryers, and condo strata-required noise insulation are billed separately.

What drives the price

1. Appliances themselves ($1,200 – $7,000)

The pair you choose sets the floor for the whole project. What we install most:

• Mid-range stackable (LG, Samsung, GE) — $1,400–$2,400 pair: 27" wide, ventless or vented, the default for condos and hallway closets.
• Compact 24" stackable (Bosch, Miele, Asko) — $2,800–$5,500 pair: Required where a 27" pair won't physically fit (tight condo closets, hallway alcoves under 28" wide). Ventless heat pump dryers eliminate ducting headaches.
• Full-size side-by-side (LG WashTower, Samsung FlexWash) — $2,200–$3,800 pair: 27" each, takes 54"+ of floor width. Better capacity, easier to load, more counter space above.
• Heat pump ventless ($2,800–$5,000 dryer alone): No vent through wall — huge for condos and basement laundry where venting is impossible. Slower drying cycles (~90 min vs 45 min) but eliminates the #1 fire hazard in any home.
• Smart all-in-one washer/dryer combos (LG WashCombo) — $3,200–$4,500: One unit washes AND dries with no transfer. Trade-off: half the dryer capacity of a separate unit.

2. Plumbing ($600 – $4,500)

Almost every Vancouver laundry project surfaces at least one plumbing surprise:

• Hot/cold supply line replacement (recessed washing machine box): $400–$800 (replace 25-year-old saddle valves with code-compliant ball valves; install proper recessed box behind washer)
• Trap arm replacement / re-pitch: $600–$1,500 (1990-and-earlier homes routinely have undersized 1.5" laundry traps; current code is 2" with a 2" standpipe ≥18" tall)
• Standpipe relocation (moving washer along same wall): $800–$1,800
• Drain rerouting (moving laundry to a new room): $2,000–$4,500 depending on joist accessibility, slab cut requirements, and vent stack location
• Adding a utility sink (new drain tee + supply lines): $700–$1,800 plumbing, plus $200–$1,200 for the sink/faucet itself

3. Venting ($300 – $2,500)

Dryer venting is where most DIY laundry installs fail. Code minimums (BC Building Code 2024):

• Rigid metal duct only (no plastic flex) — exceptions only for 8 ft of UL-listed flex behind the dryer
• Maximum total run 7.6 m (25 ft) minus 1.5 m (5 ft) per 90° elbow
• Termination cap with damper, no screen on the outside hood
• Slope downward to outside (no traps that collect lint condensate)

Costs:

• Like-for-like vent re-connection (existing duct stays): $150–$300
• New short run through exterior wall (less than 8 ft, no obstacles): $400–$900
• Long run through ceiling/joists with 2+ elbows: $900–$2,000
• Roof-vented run (3-storey + townhomes): $1,500–$2,500 + roof flashing work
• Switching to ventless heat pump (eliminates duct work entirely): appliance upcharge $1,200–$2,500 but saves all duct labour and prevents lint fires

4. Electrical ($300 – $2,200)

Vancouver homes built before 2010 routinely fail laundry room electrical inspection:

• Dedicated 240V/30A circuit for electric dryer: $600–$1,500 if no existing 240V receptacle, $300–$600 to replace a non-grounded 3-prong with code-compliant 4-prong
• Dedicated 120V/15A or 20A for washer: $400–$900 if a new home run is needed
• GFCI outlet within 1m of laundry sink: required by code; $200–$400 to add
• Light + exhaust fan circuit: $400–$800 if neither exists
• Subpanel needed (older 100A panel out of breakers): $1,800–$3,500 (plan separately if your panel is full)

5. Cabinets, countertop, sink ($1,800 – $7,500)

The "feels like a real laundry room" upgrade. Where homeowners spend or save:

• Stock IKEA SEKTION or Home Depot cabinets — $800–$2,200 for 6–8 linear ft: Most cost-effective. White or oak Shaker fronts, soft-close, holds detergent + linens.
• Custom melamine + laminate doors — $1,800–$4,500: Local Vancouver shops (Kelowna Wood, Fraser Valley Cabinets) build to exact dimensions for tight closets.
• Solid wood / shaker custom — $3,500–$7,500: Matches kitchen cabinets in main-floor laundry rooms.
• Quartz countertop (4–6 ft) — $600–$1,400: Folding station above front-loaders. White or grey Caesarstone is the most common spec.
• Butcher block (oak, maple) — $300–$800: Warmer look, requires annual oiling.
• Utility sink (single-bowl stainless 16–22") — $200–$700 fixture, plus faucet $150–$500: Critical for hand-washing and dog/pet bath stations.

6. Flooring ($800 – $3,500)

Laundry room flooring takes water abuse. We spec by tier:

• Sheet vinyl / LVT — $4–$8 per sq ft installed: Cheapest waterproof option. Easy to replace.
• Porcelain tile — $9–$15 per sq ft installed: Best long-term. Survives leaks, indoor/outdoor look matches mudroom needs.
• Heated tile floor (electric mat) — add $7–$12 per sq ft: Popular for basement laundry rooms where the floor sits on concrete.

The three setups in detail

Setup 1: Stackable swap in existing closet ($1,800–$3,500)

Keeping the appliances in the same closet, replacing them like-for-like. This is the most common Vancouver condo job. Scope:

• Disconnect old units, dispose of them ($200 disposal fee through Encorp)
• Install new recessed washing machine box if the old one is corroded ($300 plumbing labour + $80 box)
• Install new 4-prong dryer cord if appliance comes with 3-prong ($30 cord + 15 min labour)
• Connect supply lines, test for leaks under full pressure
• Reconnect dryer vent (or replace if ducting is plastic flex — code violation)
• Level the units and balance the washer drum

Real Reno Stars example: Richmond condo, LG stackable swap — owner-supplied $2,100 LG WashTower, our labour $850 (4 hrs plumbing + electrical + venting), 1 day.

Setup 2: Closet laundry refresh ($4,500–$8,500)

Same location but adding cabinets above, a quartz countertop above front-loaders, new flooring, fresh paint, and proper code-compliant rough-in. Scope:

• Pull old appliances + drywall
• Replace galvanized supply lines with PEX, install proper 2" trap and standpipe
• New 240V outlet for dryer if not already 4-prong
• Vinyl plank or LVT flooring under the appliances
• Build 30"-deep upper cabinets (or stack of three open shelves)
• Quartz remnant (4 ft × 24" depth) on top of side-by-side or above stackable
• Frame in dryer vent through exterior wall with rigid metal duct
• Repaint, install new trim, install new bi-fold or barn doors on the closet opening

Real example: Coquitlam townhouse hallway closet, mid-range Samsung side-by-side ($2,200), white IKEA SEKTION cabinets ($1,400), quartz remnant ($550), LVT ($300), labour $3,800 = $8,250 total. 4 days.

Setup 3: Dedicated laundry room ($9,000–$18,000)

Building a real laundry room from a basement utility space, mudroom, or under-stair area. Scope:

• Frame walls (if converting open utility space)
• Plumbing rough-in: hot/cold supply, 2" standpipe + trap, drain tee for utility sink
• Electrical: dedicated 30A/240V dryer, 20A washer, GFCI receptacles, lighting + fan circuit
• Insulation (R-12 minimum on exterior walls; sound batts on walls shared with bedrooms)
• Drywall + skim coat + paint
• Porcelain tile floor with optional heat mat
• Custom cabinets (8–12 linear ft) with quartz top
• Stainless utility sink with single-handle faucet
• Open shelf for hanging delicates + ironing board hideaway
• Side-by-side or full-size stackable appliances

Real example: Vancouver east-side basement renovation, dedicated laundry room with utility sink + 12 ft of cabinets + heated porcelain tile + side-by-side LG. Total $14,800 over 3 weeks. Part of a broader basement suite project from our basement renovation Vancouver complete guide.

Where Vancouver homeowners overspend

1. Buying premium 24" stackables when 27" fits. Bosch and Miele 24" pairs run $4,000+ and serve a tight condo closet. If your closet is 28" wide or more, a $1,800 LG 27" pair gives more capacity for less than half the cost. Measure twice before specifying compact.
2. Specifying a gas dryer when electric is fine. Gas line installation in a basement laundry room can add $1,500–$3,500 and requires permits. Electric dryers heat slightly slower but cost nothing extra to install when the home is already wired for one. Heat pump electric dryers actually use less energy than gas long-term.
3. Skipping the recessed washing machine box. A $80 box behind the wall (with proper hammer-arrestors, ball valves, and a single-lever shutoff) prevents 90% of laundry leaks. Installing this during the renovation is $300 of labour vs $4,000–$15,000 of water damage repair after a hose bursts.
4. Routing the dryer vent through the roof when a wall vent works. Roof venting adds $800–$1,500 and creates more lint trap points. Side-wall venting is cheaper, easier to clean, and code-approved. Only choose roof venting when there's no exterior wall path within 7.6 m.
5. Forgetting noise insulation on shared walls. A washer on spin cycle is 75 dB+ at 1 m. If the laundry shares a wall with a bedroom, $400 of sound batts + resilient channel during framing makes the difference between "hear every cycle" and "didn't realize you ran a load." Critical for basement suites.

Recent Vancouver project costs (real Reno Stars data)

• Richmond condo stackable swap: $2,950 installed (owner-supplied LG WashTower $2,100, labour 4 hrs $850). Existing closet, no plumbing/electrical changes. Condo renovation context.
• Coquitlam townhouse hallway closet refresh: $8,250 (Samsung pair $2,200, IKEA SEKTION $1,400, quartz remnant $550, LVT $300, labour $3,800). 4 days.
• Burnaby whole-house renovation, basement laundry build-out: $11,400 of a $30K–$35K total project (Custom Kitchen Wood Veins basement reno). Included new 2" standpipe, 240V circuit, IKEA cabinets, vinyl plank floor, side-by-side LG.
• Vancouver east-side basement suite, dedicated laundry room with utility sink: $14,800 (custom cabinets $4,500, porcelain heated tile $2,200, plumbing rough-in $2,800, electrical $1,800, side-by-side appliances $2,400, drywall + paint $1,100). 3 weeks. Part of a basement suite per our basement suite renovation cost guide.
• West Vancouver mudroom + laundry combined build-out: $19,500 (custom millwork bench + lockers + laundry cabinets $9,500, porcelain tile $1,800, plumbing $2,400, electrical $1,200, paint + finish $1,400, appliances $3,200). 5 weeks.

Permits & strata rules

City of Vancouver / Surrey / Burnaby permits

Like-for-like appliance swaps don't require permits. Anything below requires a building permit:

• Adding a new laundry where there was none (drain + supply rough-in)
• Relocating a laundry to a different room
• Adding a utility sink (drain + supply work)
• New 240V or 30A circuits (electrical permit, separate from building permit)
• Cutting a new dryer vent through an exterior wall

Permit costs in Metro Vancouver run $250–$700 for a basic laundry build-out. A licensed contractor pulls these and includes the time in the quote.

Condo strata rules

Most Vancouver condo stratas have laundry-specific rules:

• No appliance changes without strata approval (some prohibit washer/dryer relocation entirely)
• Plumbing work requires building manager notification 48 hrs in advance
• Mandatory leak pan under washer (failure to install = unlimited liability for the unit owner)
• Quiet hours often restrict laundry use (typically 10 PM – 7 AM)
• Stack cleaning required every 5–10 years; some buildings charge unit owners

Always pull the strata bylaws + Form B before signing a renovation contract that touches laundry plumbing.

Timeline expectations

• Stackable swap: 1 day on site, 1–2 days lead time on the appliance order
• Closet refresh with new cabinets: 3–5 days on site, 2–3 weeks total project (cabinet order + rough-in + finish)
• Side-by-side closet expansion: 1–2 weeks on site (framing change), 4–6 weeks total
• Dedicated laundry room build-out: 2–4 weeks on site, 6–10 weeks total (permit + cabinets + tile + finish)
• Combined laundry / mudroom: 3–5 weeks on site, 8–12 weeks total

Frequently asked questions

Can I install a washer in a Vancouver condo closet that doesn't have hookups?

Sometimes. Possible if there's a plumbing wall within 3–4 m and the strata approves. Cost: $2,500–$6,000 in plumbing rough-in, plus the appliance itself. Heat pump ventless dryers solve the venting problem in concrete-slab condos. Strata approval is the gating factor — check Form B and bylaws first.

Stackable or side-by-side?

Stackable saves floor width (27" vs 54" for side-by-side). Side-by-side is easier to load, gives counter space above, and is ~$200 cheaper than equivalent stackables. If you have 54"+ of wall and a folding surface matters, go side-by-side. If space is tight or it's a hallway closet, go stackable.

Are heat pump dryers worth the upcharge?

Yes for condos and basement laundries with no easy vent path. Yes for fire-sensitive applications. Heat pump dryers run cooler, use 50% less energy, and require no exterior duct. Trade-offs: 60–90 min cycles vs 30–45 min for vented, and slightly higher upfront cost ($800–$1,500 more than vented). BC Hydro rebates of $200–$400 sometimes apply.

How much does it cost to add a utility sink during a laundry renovation?

$900–$2,500 typical: $200–$700 for the sink, $150–$500 for the faucet, $700–$1,800 for plumbing labour (drain tee + hot/cold rough-in + connection). Easy to add when walls are open during a renovation. Hard and expensive ($3K+) to add later if the wall is closed.

Can the dryer share a vent with the kitchen exhaust or bathroom fan?

No. BC Building Code requires a dedicated dryer vent. Sharing creates lint accumulation in fan ducts and creates fire risk. Always rough in a separate dryer vent path during construction.

Is a heated tile floor worth it in the laundry room?

For basement laundry on concrete slab: yes — adds $700–$1,500 and dramatically improves comfort year-round. For main-floor wood-frame laundry: usually no — the floor stays room temperature. Heated mat draws roughly the same energy as a 60W bulb on a thermostat, so operating cost is minimal.

How long does a renovated laundry room last?

Appliances: 10–15 years for vented dryers, 8–12 for stackables, 12–18 for compact European pairs. Cabinets, countertop, and tile floor: 20–30 years if specs match the use. Rough-in plumbing and electrical: lifetime if installed to current code with PEX supply lines.

Planning your laundry budget

1. Pick your setup tier first (closet swap / closet refresh / dedicated room / combo). Each tier has wildly different downstream labour requirements.
2. Confirm your panel has space for new circuits before specifying premium appliances. A full panel = $2,000+ subpanel job before you can install a 30A dryer.
3. Measure the closet inside dimensions, not the door opening. A 27" stackable needs 28" minimum interior width; 24" compact needs 25"+. Stackables also need 2" depth clearance for hoses behind.
4. Plan venting path before ordering the dryer. Heat pump ventless solves impossible-vent situations but adds $1,200–$2,500 to the appliance cost.
5. Reserve $500–$1,000 for plumbing surprises. Pre-1990 Vancouver homes routinely surface old galvanized supply, undersized traps, or rotted standpipes during demo.

Related cost guides

• Basement Renovation Cost Vancouver — most laundry rooms live in basements; this is the parent cost guide
• Basement Suite Renovation Cost Vancouver — laundry rough-in is core to suite legalization
• Condo vs House Renovation Cost Vancouver — different laundry constraints in each housing type
• Renovation Permits BC Guide — when laundry work needs a permit
• Basement Renovation Services — what we deliver and how we work

Want a real laundry room quote? Send us photos of the current space and what you're considering and we'll come back with three tiered options within 48 hours. Free in-home consultation.