This breakdown covers a renovation of a 900-square-foot 2-bedroom condo in a 1990s Centretown high-rise. The unit had original builder-grade finishes throughout — oak cabinets, laminate counters, carpet, basic tile in the bathroom, and dated fixtures. The owner wanted a complete modern update to increase both livability and resale value.
This breakdown covers a renovation of a 900-square-foot 2-bedroom condo in a 1990s Centretown high-rise. The unit had original builder-grade finishes throughout — oak cabinets, laminate counters, carpet, basic tile in the bathroom, and dated fixtures. The owner wanted a complete modern update to increase both livability and resale value. Total cost: $42,800. Timeline: 6 weeks. The owner temporarily moved out during renovation.
Kitchen renovation: $18,500 — New cabinetry in white shaker style ($7,000), quartz countertops ($3,500), tile backsplash ($1,500), new appliances — counter-depth fridge, slide-in range, dishwasher ($5,000), new sink and faucet ($800), under-cabinet lighting ($700). Bathroom renovation: $12,200 — New vanity with quartz top ($2,000), tub/shower combo with tile surround ($3,500), new toilet ($450), fixtures in brushed nickel ($600), porcelain floor tile ($1,500), heated floor mat ($1,200), exhaust fan ($400), paint and finishing ($1,000), plumbing ($1,550). Flooring throughout: $5,400 — Engineered hardwood in 750 sq ft of living area ($4,800) with sound-rated underlayment ($600) meeting the building's STC/IIC requirements. Painting: $2,800 — All walls, ceilings, trim, and doors. Includes primer and two coats of premium low-VOC paint. Lighting: $1,900 — 6 pot lights in kitchen and hallway ($1,200), new bedroom fixtures ($300), bathroom sconces ($200), and dimmer switches ($200). Doors and hardware: $1,200 — Replacement of all interior doors ($800) and new hardware throughout ($400). Misc and condo-specific: $800 — Condo board damage deposit ($500, refundable), hallway protection during construction ($200), service elevator booking ($100).
Condo renovations involve unique logistics that add complexity and cost compared to house renovations: Building approval: The condo board required detailed renovation plans, contractor insurance certificates ($2M liability), and a $500 refundable damage deposit before approving the project. The approval process took 3 weeks. Work hour restrictions: The building limited construction to 8:30 AM–4:30 PM weekdays only. This reduced daily productivity by about 15% compared to a house renovation where crews can start at 7 AM and work until 6 PM. Material delivery: All materials had to be delivered through the service elevator, which required advance booking. Large items (countertop slab, appliances) needed specific time slots. No material could be stored in common areas. Flooring requirements: The building required STC/IIC ratings of 55+ for any hard flooring. The sound-rated underlayment ($600) was mandatory — without it, the flooring would have violated building rules. Parking: No on-site contractor parking. Workers parked on the street ($12–$20/day in Centretown) or used transit. This cost was built into the contractor's quote.
The budget allocation reflects typical condo renovation priorities: kitchen (43%), bathroom (29%), flooring (13%), painting (7%), lighting (4%), and miscellaneous (4%). The kitchen took the largest share because it's the most visible space in an open-concept condo and has the greatest impact on daily living and resale value. The homeowner chose mid-range materials throughout rather than mixing luxury and budget items. This approach creates a cohesive look where everything feels intentionally selected. Semi-custom cabinets ($7,000) provided the look of custom at 60% of the price. Quartz countertops ($3,500 for 30 sq ft) were chosen over granite for consistency and lower maintenance. Appliances were selected in stainless steel at the mid-range level — not builder-grade but not premium. Counter-depth refrigerator ($1,800) was the splurge, creating a streamlined look in the compact kitchen.
The owner paid $375,000 for the condo and invested $42,800 in renovations, bringing total investment to $417,800. Comparable renovated units in the same building have sold for $440,000–$460,000, suggesting an immediate equity gain of $22,000–$42,000. More importantly, the renovation made the condo competitive with newer builds in Centretown. The updated kitchen, modern bathroom, and hardwood floors match what buyers expect in the 2026 market, where dated units sit on the market significantly longer. Monthly rental value increased from approximately $1,800 to $2,200 — a $400/month premium that reflects the updated finishes. For investor-owners, this represents a payback period of approximately 9 years on the renovation investment from rental income alone.
Yes, for a full kitchen, bathroom, flooring, and painting renovation of a 900 sq ft unit. Cosmetic updates start at $15,000–$25,000. Full gut renovations with layout changes can reach $60,000–$80,000.
This project took 6 weeks. Simple cosmetic updates take 2–3 weeks. Kitchen-only or bathroom-only renovations take 3–4 weeks. Restricted work hours in condos extend timelines by 15–20% compared to houses.
Most Ottawa condo boards require: a written renovation application, detailed scope of work, contractor insurance certificates ($2M+ liability), a refundable damage deposit ($500–$2,000), and agreement to restricted work hours.
Most condos require hard flooring with specific sound transmission ratings (STC/IIC 50–55+). Engineered hardwood or LVP with sound-rated underlayment typically meets these requirements. Verify your building's specific requirements before purchasing.
For a full renovation like this, moving out is strongly recommended. The noise, dust, and loss of kitchen/bathroom make living in a 900 sq ft condo during renovation extremely difficult. Budget $2,000–$4,000/month for temporary housing.