Home renovations in Montreal typically run $15,000–$50,000 for a kitchen, $10,000–$30,000 for a bathroom, and $15,000–$40,000 to finish a basement, while a full-home gut climbs past $100,000. Your final price is driven by scope, materials, structural work, permits, and hidden conditions in older homes — not a fixed rate.
What Do Home Renovations in Montreal Cost?
There is no single price for a renovation — the range below reflects typical Montréal projects in 2026. Use it to plan a budget, then get a firm quote based on your actual scope and home.
| Renovation | Typical Montréal range |
|---|---|
| Kitchen renovation | $15,000 – $50,000+ |
| Bathroom renovation | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Basement finishing | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Living space / interior refresh | $5,000 – $25,000 |
| Full-home gut & remodel | $100,000+ (scope-dependent) |
These are typical ranges, not quotes. Your final cost depends on the size of the space, the materials you choose, whether structural or mechanical work is involved, and what’s found once the walls are open.
The Demolition and Prep Phase — Where the Budget Starts
Every renovation begins by removing what’s already there, and getting the demolition and site prep right is where the biggest cost surprises are avoided. These are real DemoPrep starting points:
- Interior demolition: from about $1,500 for a full gut — small single-room strip-outs and one- or two-wall removals run well below that.
- Drywall removal: from about $800.
- Load-bearing (structural) wall removal: $1,200 – $4,000, depending on span and support.
- Basement finishing: $15,000 – $40,000 for a complete build-out.
DemoPrep runs complete residential renovations directly — one point of contact from the demolition through to the finished room, part of our full home renovation services across Greater Montréal. RBQ #5826-5448-01.
What Drives the Cost of Home Renovations in Montreal
- Scope and scale: repainting and swapping fixtures is minor; moving walls, plumbing, or electrical is a different budget entirely.
- Size of the space: more square footage means more materials and more labour.
- Materials: laminate and stock cabinets sit at the low end; stone counters, custom millwork, and imported tile push the high end.
- Trades and labour: electricians, plumbers, and finishers each add cost, and demand peaks in spring and summer.
- Permits: work that changes the structure, modifies a wall — load-bearing or not — or increases floor area needs a municipal renovation permit ($9.80 per $1,000 of work, minimum $167.40 for a residential building). The City no longer issues permits for plumbing or electrical work — those follow provincial rules. The City of Montréal sets out the process for interior renovation permits.
- Hidden conditions: many Montréal homes built before 1990 contain asbestos in materials like vermiculite insulation, floor tiles, and joint compound, which must be tested for before any work that disturbs them (CNESST) — a real reason to hold a 10–20% contingency.
Montréal Renovation Context
- Plateau, NDG and Sud-Ouest: pre-1940 duplexes and triplexes often hide knob-and-tube wiring and layered flooring that add demolition and electrical cost.
- West Island (Beaconsfield, DDO, Kirkland): post-war bungalows and split-levels are prime for open-concept gut renovations and basement build-outs.
- Older east-end and central homes: plaster-and-lath walls and dated mechanicals mean more prep before the finishes go in.
How to Keep Your Renovation on Budget
- Set a clear budget and hold back a 10–20% contingency for the unexpected.
- Get itemized quotes from a few contractors so you’re comparing the same scope.
- Prioritize the rooms that add the most value or function first — usually kitchens and bathrooms.
- Lock the scope before demolition starts; mid-project changes are where budgets slip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a home renovation cost in Montreal?
Most Montréal renovations fall between $10,000 and $50,000 per project — a bathroom at the lower end, a kitchen or basement in the middle, and a full-home gut past $100,000. The final figure depends on scope, materials, and the condition of the home.
Do I need a permit to renovate in Montreal?
Yes, if the work affects structure, electrical, or plumbing. Cosmetic updates like paint or flooring usually don’t. The City of Montréal publishes the interior renovation permit process, and skipping a required permit can mean fines or delays.
Why do older Montreal homes cost more to renovate?
Homes built before 1990 often contain asbestos, outdated wiring, and plaster walls. Testing, any required remediation, rewiring, and code upgrades all add cost — which is why a contingency budget matters on any older property.
Does DemoPrep handle the whole renovation or just the demolition?
Both. DemoPrep runs complete residential renovations from demolition to finish — so you have one point of contact, not a hand-off between trades.
Get a Free Renovation Quote
The fastest way to turn these ranges into a real number is a walkthrough of your space. Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll scope it honestly.