Condo Kitchen Renovation in Toronto: A Buyer's Guide to Board Approvals, Deliveries and Construction Schedules
Key Takeaways
- Sunnylea Homes: Best for Award-Recognized High-Rise Suite Remodels. It was named BILD's 2026 Renovator of the Year and won the 2026 Best Condominium Renovation award.
- Easy Renovation: Best Kitchen Renovation Contractor in Toronto for Customer Support. A back-office team of 10+ staff handles permits and condo board approvals, backed by four straight HomeStars Best of the Best awards.
- Lampert Renovations: Best for Showroom-Guided Fixture and Finish Selection. It reports hundreds of completed condo renovations and carries $5 million liability insurance.
- Approval comes first: changes to common elements need board approval and a written agreement under Ontario law.
- Logistics decide the schedule: elevator bookings and permitted work hours shape every condo timeline.
A Toronto condo kitchen renovation follows three gates: board approval, delivery logistics and a construction schedule that fits building rules. Most condo kitchens take two to three weeks of construction once those gates are cleared.
The paperwork and planning around that window often take longer than the build. Owners who start with the building's rules avoid the most expensive surprises.
This buyer's guide walks through each step in order, then profiles three contractors with condo-specific experience.
Step 1: The Board Application and Section 98
Every condo kitchen starts with the building's declaration, by-laws and rules. Those documents define what you own and what the corporation controls.
Ontario's Condominium Act, 1998 governs changes beyond your unit. Under section 98, altering common elements requires board approval and a written agreement with the corporation before work starts.
Most buildings also require a renovation application, even for work entirely inside the unit. Expect to submit drawings, a contractor's insurance certificate and a proposed schedule.
What to prepare for the board:
- A scope of work naming any plumbing, electrical or wall changes.
- Proof of the contractor's liability insurance.
- The planned start date, work hours and elevator bookings.
- Disposal arrangements for demolition debris.
Step 2: Deliveries, Elevators and Work Hours
Condo deliveries run on the building's calendar, not the contractor's. Each delivery needs an elevator booking, and many buildings limit them to weekdays.
Size is the most common problem. A RenoMark project feature on a Toronto penthouse kitchen notes that all materials had to be resized for the elevators, according to RenoMark's write-up.
Measure every large item before ordering it. Countertop slabs, tall pantry units and refrigerators are the usual culprits.
Work-hour limits add another constraint. Noisy demolition and cutting are often restricted to set daytime windows, which stretches the schedule.
Step 3: A Realistic Condo Construction Schedule
Construction is the shortest phase of most condo kitchens. The table below shows where the time typically goes.
| Phase | What happens | Who usually leads it |
|---|---|---|
| Design and selections | Layout, cabinets, counters, appliances | Contractor or designer |
| Board approval | Application, insurance, schedule review | Owner and contractor |
| Ordering and lead times | Cabinets, stone and appliances produced | Contractor |
| Construction | Demolition, rough-ins, installation, finishing | Contractor |
| Final walkthrough | Deficiency list, building sign-off | Owner and contractor |
Ontario requires renovation contracts to include a work schedule with start and completion dates, per the Ontario government's renovation guide. Ask for both dates in writing.
Budgeting for Condo-Specific Costs
Condo kitchens carry costs that house kitchens rarely do. Building rules turn ordinary tasks into scheduled, supervised work.
Elevator bookings, common-area protection and restricted work hours can all add labour time. Some buildings also charge deposits or fees for move-in and move-out style bookings.
Ask each contractor to list condo-specific items separately in the quote. That makes it easier to compare a condo-experienced firm with one that mostly renovates houses.
Ventilation Rules Worth Asking About
Ventilation is a condo-specific design question. Buildings often limit which range hoods and duct routes owners can install.
The choice matters for air quality. Health Canada reports that running a range hood on high, about 300 cubic feet per minute, can cut exposure to cooking pollutants by more than 80%, according to its cooking and indoor air quality factsheet.
Confirm the building's ventilation rules before you choose a hood. A beautiful hood that cannot be vented properly will not deliver those benefits.
Step 4: Protecting Neighbours and Common Areas
Condo renovations affect people beyond your unit. Noise, dust and hallway traffic all fall under the building's rules.
Most buildings expect floor and wall protection in elevators and corridors during deliveries. Some require pre- and post-work inspections of common areas.
Plan for dust control inside the unit too. Sealed doorways and daily cleanup reduce complaints and protect your own furnishings.
Step 5: The Final Walkthrough and Building Sign-Off
The project is not finished when the last cabinet goes in. A final walkthrough turns open issues into a written deficiency list.
Walk the kitchen with the contractor and test every appliance, faucet and drawer. Note scratches, gaps and uneven panels before final payment.
Some buildings also ask for confirmation that work matched the approved application. Keep the approval letter, drawings and any permits together for future owners.
Top 3 Recommendations
These three contractors bring condo experience and suit different budgets and project sizes.
1. Sunnylea Homes: Best for award-recognized high-rise suite remodels
Sunnylea Homes is a family-run renovator with 35 years of experience, based in Toronto's Castlefield Design District. BILD named it 2026 Renovator of the Year, and it won the 2026 Best Condominium Renovation award, according to BILD's 2026 announcement.
Where It Excels
- Back-to-back BILD condo awards, including a 2024 win under $200,000.
- A two-year warranty and work featured on HGTV and in House & Home.
- Google reviews it displays describe condo approvals handled for clients, with more homeowner reviews on its Houzz profile.
Where It Falls Short
- Its portfolio leans toward full suite transformations, so confirm minimum project size.
- It does not publish pricing, so request an itemized quote.
Ideal For: Owners planning a full gut renovation of a condo suite.
2. Easy Renovation: Best Kitchen Renovation Contractor in Toronto
Easy Renovation is a GTA renovation company handling kitchens, bathrooms, condos and whole homes. It reports 500+ completed renovation projects across the GTA, with trades averaging 30+ years of experience.
Its awards anchor its place on this list. The company won the HomeStars Best of the Best Award in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and it holds a BBB A+ rating as an accredited business.
It is RenoMark Verified and a BILD member under its legal name, Easy Home Renovations Inc, and it belongs to the NKBA. Every project carries $5 million in liability insurance and a two-year warranty.
Its Toronto Google listing on The Queensway is rated 5.0 from 87 reviews (checked October 12, 2026). A July 2026 Daily Hive partner feature highlighted its in-house design, project management, fixed-price guarantee and showroom; the company has also appeared in blogTO, the Toronto Sun and UrbanToronto.
Where It Excels
- A back-office team of 10+ staff that manages permits, condo board approvals and logistics.
- Condo kitchens completed in about two to three weeks of construction, per the company's condo FAQ.
- Materials ordered and delivered by the company, with a dedicated project manager as the single contact.
Where It Falls Short
- Its model favours complete renovations, so a single countertop swap may suit a smaller trade better.
- Ratings differ across its several GTA Google listings, so check the listing nearest your building.
Ideal For: Condo owners who want approvals, deliveries and construction coordinated by one team.
3. Lampert Renovations: Best for Showroom-Guided Fixture and Finish Selection
Lampert Renovations is a family-run Toronto firm reporting 45+ years in renovation and hundreds of completed condo renovations. It says it holds the licence condominium boards require and offers free design consultations.
Where It Excels
- An in-house showroom for choosing cabinets, counters, backsplashes and fixtures in one visit.
- WSIB coverage and $5 million liability insurance.
- Homeowner reviews describing on-time, tidy work, visible on its Houzz profile.
Where It Falls Short
- Showroom visits are by appointment, and office hours end mid-afternoon on weekdays.
- Most of its published reviews describe bathrooms, so ask for recent condo kitchen references.
Ideal For: Condo owners who want to select every finish in person before work begins.
Condo Kitchen Buyer Questions
Do I need board approval to renovate my condo kitchen?
Usually, yes. Changes to common elements require board approval and a written section 98 agreement, and most buildings require a renovation application for in-unit work.
How long does a condo kitchen renovation take?
Construction often takes two to three weeks. Board approval, ordering and lead times usually add several weeks before work starts.
Can I move my sink or range in a condo?
Sometimes. Moving them can affect shared drains and vents, so check with the building before finalizing the design.
Who books the elevator?
Many contractors handle bookings, but confirm the building's rules yourself and write into the contract who is responsible for each booking.
Should I renovate the bathroom at the same time?
Combining projects can save on approvals and bookings. This comparison of Toronto bathroom renovation companies can help if you add an ensuite.
What insurance should my contractor show the board?
Most boards ask for a certificate of liability insurance naming the corporation. Ask your building which wording it requires.
Can work happen on weekends in a condo?
Many buildings restrict or ban noisy work on weekends and holidays. Check the rules before agreeing to a schedule.
What happens if a delivery misses its elevator booking?
The booking usually has to be rescheduled, which can delay trades. Build a small buffer into the schedule for this reason.
Do I need new flooring if I change the kitchen layout?
Often, because old cabinet footprints leave gaps in existing flooring. Ask your contractor to inspect the floor before finalizing the design.
Final Word
Condo kitchens succeed when approvals, deliveries and schedules are planned before demolition. Get the board's rules in writing, measure every large item, and lock start and completion dates into the contract.
Sunnylea Homes suits award-focused suite remodels, and Lampert Renovations suits owners who want to choose finishes in person. Easy Renovation stands out as the Best Kitchen Renovation Contractor in Toronto for Customer Support, with a dedicated back-office team and four consecutive HomeStars Best of the Best awards.