Vancouver Renovation Before & After: 10 Real Projects with Costs Revealed (2026)
10 real renovation projects from Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, Surrey, Langley and Maple Ridge — with actual budgets ($14,000–$45,000), timelines, and the one decision that made each project.
Vancouver Renovation Before & After: 10 Real Projects with Costs Revealed (2026)
Most renovation companies show you finished photos. We're going further: here are 10 real projects with actual budgets, timelines, and the one decision that made each project succeed. All data is pulled directly from our completed project records.
Project 1: Master Bathroom Renovation — Vancouver
Budget: $14,000–$16,000 | Timeline: 4–5 weeks | Type: Bathroom
Before: Standard builder-grade bathroom — plastic tub surround, builder vanity, basic lighting, no storage.
After: Custom cabinetry, modern freestanding-style fixtures, wall-mounted vanity with integrated lighting, tiled shower with niche storage.
The one key decision: The client wanted a freestanding tub but the footprint didn't support it — we redirected the budget to a walk-in shower with a built-in bench instead. The result feels more luxurious and functions better for their lifestyle.
What drove the cost: Custom cabinetry ($4,500) and tile work ($3,200) accounted for half the budget. The tiling alone was 40 hours of labour.
Project 2: Bathroom with Custom Glass Door — Maple Ridge
Budget: $18,000–$21,000 | Timeline: 3–4 weeks | Type: Bathroom
Before: Dated 1990s bathroom — beige tile, single vanity, standard tub, hollow-core doors throughout.
After: Full-height frameless glass shower enclosure, double vanity, large-format floor tile extending into the shower, backlit mirror.
The one key decision: The frameless glass door ($2,800 vs $900 for framed) was the single change that elevated the entire bathroom. The investment was worth it — it's the first thing guests notice.
What drove the cost: The glass enclosure and custom tile work. Large-format tiles (24×48") require more substrate prep and a more skilled installer — budget accordingly.
Project 3: Townhouse Bathroom Renovation — Burnaby
Budget: $20,000–$25,000 | Timeline: 2–3 weeks | Type: Bathroom
Before: Builder townhouse bathrooms — identical across the floor plan, nothing custom, tired after 15 years of use.
After: Spa-like renovation with heated floor tiles, rainfall shower, custom floating vanity, matte black fixtures throughout.
The one key decision: Heated floors. At $1,800 for this size bathroom, it's the upgrade that generates the most "wow" from buyers if you ever sell. In a Vancouver condo or townhouse, heated floors are increasingly expected at the mid-range.
What drove the cost: Heated floor system, quality matte black fixtures (these cost 40–60% more than chrome), and the floating vanity requiring wall-blocking.
Project 4: Whole House Renovation — Vancouver
Budget: $23,000–$25,000 | Timeline: 4–5 weeks | Type: Whole House
Before: Dated Vancouver special — original 1980s kitchen and bathrooms, worn laminate floors, hollow-core doors, builder paint throughout.
After: Updated bathroom with modern fixtures, refreshed kitchen with new hardware and countertop, new LVP flooring throughout main floor, fresh neutral paint.
The one key decision: Instead of a deep renovation on one room, the owners opted for a surface-level refresh across the entire home. This approach maximized the visual impact per dollar — 100% of the home looks better rather than one room looking spectacular and the rest dated.
What drove the cost: Flooring across the main floor ($7,200 for LVP materials and install), paint throughout ($4,500), and bathroom update ($6,800).
Project 5: Budget Condo Renovation — Richmond
Budget: $26,000–$28,000 | Timeline: 4–5 weeks | Type: Whole House
Before: Original Richmond condo circa 2005 — functional but dated. Builder-grade everything: Formica counters, laminate floors, hollow-core doors, flat white paint.
After: New quartz countertops, tiled kitchen backsplash, LVP flooring throughout, painted all doors and trim, updated bathroom vanity and fixtures.
The one key decision: Keeping the existing cabinet boxes and replacing only the doors and hardware ($3,800 vs $18,000 for full cabinet replacement). The kitchen looks like a new renovation — for a fraction of the cost.
What drove the cost: Quartz countertops and installation ($6,400), flooring ($5,800), and bathroom update ($4,200).
Project 6: Luxury Bathroom Renovation — North Vancouver
Budget: $42,000–$45,000 | Timeline: 3–4 weeks | Type: Bathroom
Before: Outdated bathroom in a North Vancouver home — cultured marble, dated jetted tub that hadn't been used in years, poor ventilation.
After: Full curbless shower conversion with textured stone-look tile, freestanding soaker tub, dual floating vanities, heated floor, custom backlit niche, black plumbing fixtures throughout.
The one key decision: Removing the jetted tub that "might be used someday" and replacing it with a freestanding soaker tub. Jetted tubs are expensive to maintain, hard to clean, and rarely used after the first year. The soaker tub is used daily.
What drove the cost: This is a large bathroom (110 sq ft) with high-end finishes. The tile alone was $12,000 in materials and labour. Freestanding tub: $3,800. Custom floating vanities: $8,500.
Project 7: Burnaby Luxury Bathroom
Budget: $28,000–$32,000 | Timeline: 3–4 weeks | Type: Bathroom
Before: Standard Burnaby townhouse bathroom — tub/shower combo, single vanity, basic lighting, beige tile from 2000.
After: Walk-in shower with bench, double vanity with stone countertop, designer lighting, large-format porcelain floor and wall tile.
The one key decision: Going large-format (24×24") instead of standard 12×12" tile on the floors. It costs 20–30% more in labour but makes the bathroom feel significantly larger. In a 70-sq-ft bathroom, this decision is always worth it.
What drove the cost: Labour-intensive large-format tile (3 days just for floor and wall tile), stone vanity top, and bespoke shower glass.
Project 8: Langley Kitchen — Waterfall Island Design
Budget: $28,000–$30,000 | Timeline: 4–6 weeks | Type: Kitchen
Before: Dated 2000s kitchen in a Langley townhouse — honey-oak cabinets, laminate counters, fluorescent lighting.
After: White shaker cabinets, quartz waterfall island, subway tile backsplash, under-cabinet LED lighting, new appliances.
The one key decision: The waterfall island ($1,200 extra over standard island edge) defines the entire kitchen's character. It's a high-impact, lower-cost way to add a luxury design element without redoing the entire cabinet layout.
What drove the cost: Custom quartz waterfall countertop and island ($9,500 total), new cabinetry ($11,000), appliances ($4,200).
Project 9: Surrey Kitchen with Custom Cabinets
Budget: $29,000–$31,000 | Timeline: 4–5 weeks | Type: Kitchen
Before: Original Surrey builder kitchen — oak cabinets showing their age, dated tile floor, no island, minimal counter space.
After: Full custom cabinet replacement (grey shaker, floor to ceiling), quartz counters with integrated sink, kitchen island, tile backsplash, pot filler, new fixtures.
The one key decision: Floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Going all the way to the ceiling ($2,500 extra over standard height) eliminates the dust-collecting gap above cabinets and makes the kitchen feel architecturally finished. In a home without crown moulding, this is an elegant solution.
What drove the cost: Full cabinet replacement ($13,500) and quartz countertops ($7,200).
Project 10: Burnaby Custom Kitchen with Gold Fixtures
Budget: $35,000–$40,000 | Timeline: 4–6 weeks | Type: Kitchen
Before: Tired Burnaby kitchen — white laminate, inefficient layout, low ceiling, small window.
After: Full layout reconfiguration, custom wood-grain cabinetry, waterfall quartz island, brushed gold fixtures throughout, statement pendant lights, wine storage.
The one key decision: Reconfiguring the layout rather than refreshing what was there. It cost an extra $5,000 to move the sink and restructure the cabinet run, but the result is a kitchen that functions like a professional space — not just a renovated old kitchen.
What drove the cost: Custom cabinetry ($15,000+), layout reconfiguration (structural), quartz island ($8,500), gold fixtures (3× the cost of chrome equivalents).
What These 10 Projects Teach Us
The pattern across all 10 projects:
One decision defines the project — the waterfall edge, the glass door, the curbless shower, the floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Identify yours early.
Budget allocation matters more than total budget — a $20,000 renovation spent 60% on tile and fixtures beats a $20,000 renovation spread thin across everything.
Labour is 40–60% of the cost — complex tile patterns, heated floors, and structural changes are expensive not because materials are expensive, but because they're time-intensive.
Surface refreshes outperform expectations — the Richmond condo at $26,000–$28,000 delivers similar visual impact as some $50,000 renovations because the money went to visible surfaces.
Build in 15% contingency — 7 of these 10 projects had a hidden discovery (old plumbing, asbestos-containing texture, inadequate subfloor). None blew the budget because contingency was planned.
Get Your Own Before & After Story
Every project on this page started with a free estimate conversation. If you're planning a renovation in Metro Vancouver — bathroom, kitchen, whole house, or basement — contact Reno Stars for a no-pressure quote.
We work across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Coquitlam.
Related posts:
- Kitchen Renovation Cost Vancouver 2026
- Bathroom Renovation Cost Vancouver 2026
- Spring Renovation Checklist Vancouver 2026
- Renovation Timeline: How Long Does Each Project Take?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do real renovation projects cost in Vancouver?
Based on completed projects in our portfolio, costs vary significantly by scope: a master bathroom typically runs $14,000–$16,000, a kitchen overhaul ranges from $32,000–$38,000, and a full basement suite costs $70,000–$90,000. Smaller cosmetic updates like whole-home flooring or painting can be done for $12,000–$20,000. The best cost predictor is scope — number of trades involved, material grade, and permit requirements.
How long does a typical Vancouver renovation project take?
Timelines in our portfolio range from 2–3 weeks for a bathroom refresh to 16–20 weeks for a full house renovation. The most common delay causes are permit approval wait times (City of Vancouver averages 4–8 weeks) and fixture lead times, especially for imported tile or custom cabinetry. Plan buffer time at the start of the project — not the end — so you are not forced to rush finishing trades.
Do renovation projects typically go over budget?
In our 10 real project examples, 8 of 10 stayed within 5% of the original budget. The 2 that ran over did so because the clients changed scope mid-project — one added heated floors after framing was complete, another upgraded to a steam shower after tile was already ordered. The best protection against overruns is locking in all material selections before construction begins.
What single decision most often determines whether a Vancouver renovation succeeds?
Across our project portfolio, the single highest-impact decision is almost always materials selection timing. Clients who finalize tile, fixtures, and cabinetry before demo day consistently have smoother projects. Clients who decide on finishes during construction create costly holds while trades wait for material delivery. Second most impactful: choosing a contractor with a dedicated project manager rather than a working foreman.
Are before-and-after renovation photos representative of what I can expect?
Our before-and-after photos are from actual completed projects at the stated budgets — we document every project with photos taken before demolition and at project completion. Unlike staged showroom photos, these reflect real Vancouver homes: standard ceiling heights, code-compliant layouts, and materials available in Metro Vancouver. We include actual budgets precisely so the comparison is honest and useful for planning your own project.
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