Renovation
budget guide for Chilliwack.

The budget conversation no one wants to have

Most renovation budget overruns don't come from greedy contractors. They come from homeowners who underestimated what the project would actually cost, then had to make choices under pressure as the reality revealed itself.

This guide is the honest version of the budget conversation. What renovations actually cost. Where the money goes. What's included in quotes and what's usually not. And how much contingency you really need.

What drives renovation cost

Five factors drive nearly every renovation budget:

1. Scope. How big is the project? One room vs. five rooms vs. the whole house. Scope is the biggest multiplier.
2. Finish level. Basic, mid, or premium materials. Can double or triple the cost of otherwise identical scopes.
3. Layout changes. Keeping the same layout is cheap. Moving walls, relocating plumbing, adding windows — each multiplies the effort.
4. Mechanical complexity. Old homes with outdated electrical, galvanized plumbing, or no ventilation need upgrades beyond cosmetic renovation scope.
5. Unknowns.What's behind the walls. What the foundation looks like. Whether the previous owner did something creative. These only reveal themselves during demo.

Where the money actually goes

For a typical mid-tier kitchen renovation in Chilliwack (2026), here's roughly how a $90,000 budget breaks down:

• Cabinetry — 30 to 35%. Typically the largest line item.
• Countertops — 8 to 12%. Quartz most common; stone and solid surface span the range.
• Appliances — 10 to 25%. Highly variable based on brand and tier.
• Labour (carpentry, install) — 20 to 25%.
• Electrical — 5 to 8%. New circuits, lighting, service updates where needed.
• Plumbing — 4 to 6%. Fixture work, relocations.
• Tile and flooring — 5 to 8%.
• Paint, trim, finishing — 3 to 5%.
• Permits, disposal, project management — 3 to 5%.

Bathroom renos have a different split — plumbing and tile are bigger percentages, cabinetry smaller. Whole-home work distributes more toward labour and mechanical.

Hidden costs that catch people

• Electrical service upgrades.Older Chilliwack homes with 60A or 100A panels often need 200A upgrades when doing major renos or adding suites. $3,000–$8,000 that doesn't always show up in initial quotes.
• Asbestos abatement. Homes built before 1990 may have asbestos in drywall compound, vinyl flooring, or insulation. Required abatement before demo adds cost if discovered.
• Structural surprises. Rotted framing, past water damage, load-bearing walls not marked on drawings. Usually 2–5% budget adjustment when found.
• Appliance delivery and install. Often not included in appliance price. Plan $300–$800 depending on units.
• Range hood venting to exterior. Required by most modern hoods. If your existing kitchen recirculated rather than vented outside, this is new ductwork through walls or ceilings.
• Temporary kitchen or bathroom setup. Not a contractor line item but a real cost. Eating out for six weeks adds up.
• Window coverings. Not part of construction. Budget $100–$1,500 per window depending on treatment.
• Furniture and decor for the finished space. New kitchen means new barstools. New living room means maybe new sofa. Easy to under-plan.

How much contingency is enough?

A useful rule of thumb for Chilliwack renovations:

• 5–10% contingencyfor new construction or renovations where the walls haven't been opened. You've seen the scope. Fewer surprises.
• 10–15% contingency for renovations in homes built 1990–present. Middle ground — some unknowns but not many.
• 15–20% contingencyfor renovations in homes built before 1990 or where you know there's history of DIY work behind the walls.

“Contingency” isn't a line item you're hoping to spend. It's the margin you have if something unexpected shows up. If you don't use it, you've saved — not lost.

The finish-level trade-off

One of the biggest budget decisions is finish level. Three tiers in rough terms:

• Basic. Stock cabinets, laminate or low-end quartz counters, builder-grade fixtures, basic tile. Looks current for 5–7 years before dating.
• Mid. Semi-custom cabinets, quality quartz or solid surface counters, mid-range fixtures, tile from real suppliers. Looks current 8–12 years.
• Premium.Custom cabinets, natural stone, high-end fixtures, designer tile. Looks current 12+ years. Usually outlasts the homeowner's time in the house.

For a legacy home (one you'll live in 20+ years), premium often costs less per year than basic. For a home you might sell in 5 years, mid-level is usually the sweet spot.