Where the money actually goes in a kitchen renovation
Cabinets, stone, plumbing, electrical, lighting. We break down a recent $94k Calgary project line by line.
Our average kitchen in Calgary runs $80–$120k in 2026 dollars. People ask, reasonably, where it goes. Here is a recent project — a 180 sq ft kitchen in Bridgeland, finished in March — broken down honestly.
Cabinetry: $34,200. Custom millwork, painted MDF for paint-grade boxes, rift-cut white oak for the island. Soft-close everywhere. Drawer banks under the cooktop. This is the single biggest line on almost every kitchen.
Stone: $12,800. A 65 sq ft single slab of Calacatta quartz with a 1.5" mitered edge. Templated, fabricated, installed. We did not save money on stone. We never do.
Appliances: $14,500. Owner-supplied, paneled fridge and dishwasher, induction cooktop, wall oven. We do not mark up appliances.
Trades — plumbing, electrical, HVAC: $11,400. New gas line for the cooktop conversion to induction (yes, you still need an inspection), three new circuits, undermount and pot filler rough-ins.
Finishes — tile, paint, hardware, lighting: $8,900. Bookmatched backsplash, hand-painted ceiling, brushed nickel hardware throughout.
Borsa management — design, permits, site management, daily photos, warranty: $12,200. This is how we get paid. It is roughly 13% of the project, which is on the lower end of the residential range.
What It Really Takes to Build a Legal Basement Suite in Cochrane
Creating a legal secondary suite in Cochrane is a great way to increase your home's value and generate rental income—but it's important to understand that the approval process is more involved than in Calgary.
Why we love a 1.6 metre tile (and what it asks of your floor)
The bigger the slab, the smaller the margin for error. A field guide to substrates, lippage, and why the prep is most of the work.
A plain-English guide to legal secondary suites in Calgary
Egress, fire separation, sound, ventilation. What the City actually checks for, and the order we tackle it in.