Metro Vancouver Renovation Cost Index — May 2026

Every month we publish what renovations actually cost in Metro Vancouver — real numbers from Reno Stars' own itemized project quotes, not survey guesses. Here is the picture for May 2026.

The interesting story in May 2026 is direction, not just level: the typical Metro Vancouver renovation quote has held steady heading into the month.

At about $21,400 (median, six-month trailing), quotes are -40% versus three years ago. Below, what's moved — and which renovation types held firm.

The trend to May 2026

Each point is a six-month trailing median (~50 real quotes), so it shows the genuine direction of travel. Over the three years to May 2026 the median has moved -40%.

What each renovation type costs (May 2026)

Median and typical range (middle 50% of quotes) for projects quoted in the six months to May 2026:

Renovation type	Typical range	Median	Sample
Kitchen	$11,800 – $33,200	$24,400	N=19
Bathroom	$7,100 – $24,900	$14,600	N=17

Kitchen — median $24,400

Cabinetry and countertops are the swing factor between the low and high end — not appliances. A cabinet-reface with a new counter and backsplash sits near the bottom; a full gut with custom cabinetry, stone counters and a moved island pushes toward the top. Typical kitchen quotes run $11,800 to $33,200 (May 2026, six-month trailing).

Bathroom — median $14,600

Bathrooms show the widest range of any category: a straightforward tub-to-shower refit lands near the low end, while a full re-tile with heated floors, a custom vanity and re-routed plumbing pushes toward the top. The median reflects a typical mid-scope refresh. Typical bathroom quotes run $7,100 to $24,900 (May 2026, six-month trailing).

Planning a renovation in Metro Vancouver? Reno Stars gives you a free, itemized quote — real scoped pricing like the numbers on this page, with no obligation. Request your free quote →

Where May sits in the renovation calendar

Our own booking data shows a clear seasonal pattern across Metro Vancouver: March through June is the busiest stretch — May is the single busiest month for new project quotes, running nearly triple the December low. May falls in the busiest stretch of the year — March through June, when homeowners book most.

In peak months the best trades are booked out furthest, so lead times stretch and there's less room to negotiate — worth starting quotes early.

Year over year

Six-month trailing median ending each May:

• May 2024: $27,400
• May 2025: $21,100
• May 2026: $21,400

Versus 2024, the typical May quote is down about 22% — costs have settled after the 2024 correction rather than climbing back.

How we calculate this

Every figure comes from real, itemized Reno Stars project quotes across Metro Vancouver — actual scoped pricing from our estimating system, not rounded ranges or third-party surveys. We use the median (not the average, which a few large whole-home jobs would distort) over a six-month trailing window so each figure reflects a real sample. Not every project is quoted through this system, so these represent a large real sample — hundreds of itemized quotes — not a complete project count.

Cite this data

These figures are free to cite with a link to reno-stars.com. In one line: "Metro Vancouver renovation quotes sit at a median of about $21,400 in May 2026, per contractor Reno Stars' own project data." For the full methodology and every category, see our Metro Vancouver Renovation Cost Report.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a renovation cost in Vancouver in May 2026?

The median Metro Vancouver renovation quote is about $21,400 as of May 2026 (six-month trailing, from real Reno Stars quotes). bathrooms around $14,600; kitchens around $24,400.

Are renovation costs going up or down in Vancouver?

Median quotes fell from a peak in mid-2023 to a low in early 2025 and have since stabilised. As of May 2026 the median sits at about $21,400, held steady over recent months — down about 40% across the three years to this edition.

Is May a good time to book a renovation?

May falls in the busiest stretch of the year — March through June, when homeowners book most. In peak months the best trades are booked out furthest, so lead times stretch and there's less room to negotiate — worth starting quotes early.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Vancouver right now?

Typical bathroom quotes run $7,100 to $24,900, with a median around $14,600 (six months to May 2026). A simple tub-to-shower swap sits near the low end; a full re-tile with heated floors and a custom vanity sits near the high end.

Where does this data come from?

From Reno Stars' own itemized project quotes across Metro Vancouver — real scoped pricing from our estimating system, not surveys or national averages. We report medians over a six-month trailing window and never publish a figure off a thin sample.