If you are a homeowner in Montreal, whether you live in Plateau-Mont-Royal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Rosemont, Laval, or the South Shore, there is one question you will ask before starting any kitchen renovation: How much is this actually going to cost?
This guide gives you straight, honest pricing based on real Montreal kitchen cabinet projects in 2026. You will find cost breakdowns by cabinet type, material, and neighbourhood, plus a step-by-step guide to getting the best value, and avoiding the most expensive mistakes Montreal homeowners make.
| Who This Guide Is For: Homeowners across Greater Montreal planning a kitchen cabinet installation, remodel, or full kitchen renovation in 2026. All prices are in CAD and reflect current Montreal market rates. |
Why Kitchen Cabinet Prices Vary So Much in Montreal
Search ‘kitchen cabinets Montreal’ and you will find quotes ranging from $3,000 to $60,000+ for seemingly similar kitchens. This is not misleading, it reflects real differences in four key factors:
- Cabinet Type: Stock, semi-custom, or fully custom cabinets have very different price points. Stock cabinets from big-box stores cost the least but often fit poorly in older Montreal homes with non-standard dimensions.
- Material: Solid maple versus MDF versus thermofoil versus laminate, the material choice alone can double or triple the cost.
- Kitchen Size: A galley kitchen in a Plateau triplex is fundamentally different from a large open-concept kitchen in a Laval bungalow. Size drives labour cost significantly.
- Contractor Choice: A licensed RBQ contractor with insurance and a warranty costs more upfront than an unlicensed handyman, but protects you legally and financially. In Quebec, always verify RBQ license before signing any contract.
Kitchen Cabinet Cost in Montreal by Type (2026 Pricing)
| Cabinet Type | Price Range (CAD) | Best For | Lead Time |
| Stock / Ready-Made Cabinets | $3,000 – $8,000 | Budget renovations, rental properties | 1–2 weeks |
| Semi-Custom Cabinets | $8,000 – $18,000 | Mid-range renovations with some personalization | 3–5 weeks |
| Fully Custom Cabinets | $18,000 – $45,000+ | High-end homes, unique layouts, luxury finishes | 6–12 weeks |
| Cabinet Refacing / Remodel | $4,000 – $12,000 | Existing layout is good, refresh look only | 1–3 weeks |
| Cabinet Door Replacement Only | $1,500 – $5,000 | Quick refresh without replacing box frames | 2–4 weeks |
| Important: These prices include the cabinets and standard installation labour. They do not include countertops, backsplash, plumbing, flooring, or electrical work. A full kitchen renovation in Montreal including all elements typically runs $25,000–$80,000 depending on size and finish level. |
Kitchen Cabinet Cost by Material (What Montreal Homeowners Are Choosing in 2026)
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot (CAD) | Durability | Best Finish Options |
| Solid Wood (Maple, Oak, Cherry) | $500 – $1,200 | Excellent – 20–40 years | Stain, paint, natural |
| High-Density MDF (painted) | $350 – $700 | Very good – 15–25 years | Painted, thermofoil |
| Plywood Construction | $400 – $900 | Excellent – resists moisture better | All finishes |
| Thermofoil / PVC Wrap | $250 – $500 | Good – 10–15 years | Matte, gloss, wood look |
| Laminate / Melamine | $200 – $450 | Moderate – 8–15 years | Wide colour range |
Tross Construction works with solid wood, high-density MDF, and European-style soft-close hardware as standard. We do not use low-grade particleboard for cabinet boxes, a common cost-cutting shortcut that causes swelling and joint failure within 5–10 years in Montreal’s humid summers and cold winters.
Kitchen Cabinet Renovation Costs by Montreal Neighbourhood
Montreal’s housing stock varies dramatically by borough. A 1920s Plateau triplex has completely different spatial constraints than a 1970s Laval bungalow or a modern Griffintown condo. Here is what to realistically expect by area:
Plateau-Mont-Royal & Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
These boroughs are dominated by older triplexes and duplexes with narrow galley kitchens, original wood floors, and irregular wall angles. Custom cabinets are almost always necessary because standard sizes do not fit these non-standard layouts.
- Typical kitchen size: Small to medium (under 150 sq ft)
- Most common project type: Full replacement with custom sizing
- Average total cabinet budget: $12,000 – $28,000
- Common challenge: Ceiling heights vary; older pipes and wiring often need updating mid-project
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) & Côte-des-Neiges
NDG features a mix of pre-war and post-war single-family homes and apartment buildings. Kitchen sizes are larger than Plateau triplexes, giving more layout flexibility. Many NDG homeowners are doing full kitchen renovations for the first time in 20–30 years.
- Typical kitchen size: Medium (150–220 sq ft)
- Most common project type: Semi-custom or full custom with island addition
- Average total cabinet budget: $15,000 – $35,000
- Common challenge: Matching new cabinets to existing hardwood floors and pre-war trim styles
Laval (Chomedey, Vimont, Sainte-Rose, Duvernay)
Laval’s housing stock is predominantly 1970s–2000s bungalows and split-levels with larger kitchens and open-concept layouts. Many homeowners are upgrading from original builder-grade cabinets to semi-custom or custom millwork.
- Typical kitchen size: Large (200–350 sq ft)
- Most common project type: Full replacement with quartz countertop upgrade
- Average total cabinet budget: $18,000 – $45,000
- Common challenge: Larger kitchens require more cabinet units, cost scales with linear footage
South Shore (Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, Boucherville)
The South Shore has a similar profile to Laval but with a higher proportion of newer construction and higher average renovation budgets. Brossard and Saint-Lambert in particular are seeing significant kitchen upgrade activity.
- Typical kitchen size: Large to very large (250–400+ sq ft)
- Most common project type: Luxury custom with two-tone finishes and integrated appliances
- Average total cabinet budget: $22,000 – $55,000+
- Common challenge: Coordinating with island plumbing and range hood installation
Verdun, LaSalle & Pointe-Saint-Charles
These historically working-class neighbourhoods are now heavily gentrified with young professional homeowners investing in their first major renovations. Budget-conscious but quality-focused projects are most common here.
- Typical kitchen size: Small to medium (under 180 sq ft)
- Most common project type: Cabinet refacing or semi-custom in modern matte finishes
- Average total cabinet budget: $8,000 – $20,000
- Common challenge: Balancing budget with the desire for modern finishes; often phased over time
| Tross Construction serves all of these areas: Plateau, Rosemont, NDG, Côte-des-Neiges, Outremont, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, Verdun, LaSalle, and across Greater Montreal. Call (438) 920-8647 for a free in-home consultation. |
Custom vs Semi-Custom vs Stock Cabinets: The Right Choice for Your Montreal Home
| Stock Cabinets | Semi-Custom | Fully Custom | |
| Price | $3K–$8K | $8K–$18K | $18K–$45K+ |
| Sizing | Standard only (set increments) | Limited adjustments | Any dimension |
| Fit for old Montreal homes | Poor — gaps common | Moderate | Perfect |
| Material quality | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
| Lead time | 1–2 weeks | 3–5 weeks | 6–12 weeks |
| Finish options | Limited | Moderate | Unlimited |
| Best for | Rentals, very tight budgets | Most standard homes | Unique spaces, high-end |
For most Montreal homeowners, especially in older housing stock like Plateau triplexes or NDG semis, semi-custom or fully custom cabinets are the practical choice. Off-the-shelf stock cabinets rarely fit the irregular dimensions of pre-war Montreal kitchens, and the gaps and filler strips required end up looking unfinished and reduce storage efficiency.
5 Costly Mistakes Montreal Homeowners Make When Buying Kitchen Cabinets
Mistake 1: Choosing an Unlicensed Contractor to Save Money
In Quebec, any renovation work over $500 requires the contractor to hold a valid RBQ (Régie du bâtiment du Québec) license. An unlicensed contractor saves you money upfront but leaves you with zero legal recourse if work is faulty, damaged, or incomplete, and your home insurance can deny claims for work done by unlicensed trades. Always verify the RBQ license number at rbq.gouv.qc.ca.
Tross Construction holds RBQ License #5841923501. Every project is fully insured.
Mistake 2: Buying Cabinets Before Measuring Properly
This is the #1 reason kitchen renovation projects go over budget. Ordering cabinets based on rough measurements, without accounting for pipes, electrical panels, irregular wall angles, or appliance clearances, results in cabinets that do not fit and costly returns. A professional in-home consultation measures every dimension precisely before any order is placed.
Mistake 3: Choosing the Cheapest Cabinet Box Material
Particleboard cabinet boxes (used by many budget suppliers) absorb moisture and swell in Montreal’s humid summers. Within 5–10 years, drawer slides separate, doors warp, and hinges pull out. Plywood or high-density MDF box construction costs more upfront but outlasts cheap particleboard by decades. Ask specifically what the box, not the door, is made from.
Mistake 4: Not Planning the Full Workflow Before Starting
Many homeowners start demolishing old cabinets before confirming delivery dates on new ones, or order cabinets before the plumber has confirmed the sink position. In Montreal, renovation delays are common, supply chain issues, permit timelines, and contractor scheduling all create gaps. Plan the complete sequence before any work begins: measure, order, permit, demo, plumbing rough-in, cabinet install, countertop template, countertop install, backsplash, appliances.
Mistake 5: Ignoring the Kitchen Triangle When Choosing Layout
The kitchen work triangle, the relationship between your refrigerator, sink, and stove, determines how functional your kitchen actually is day-to-day. Beautiful cabinets with a poor layout still create a frustrating kitchen. Always review the layout logic with your contractor before finalizing the design, not after installation begins.
What to Expect: The Kitchen Cabinet Installation Process in Montreal
Here is the standard process Tross Construction follows for every kitchen cabinet project across Montreal:
- Step 1: Free In-Home Consultation, We visit your home, measure precisely, and discuss your style preferences, budget, and timeline. No commitment required.
- Step 2: Design & Quote, We prepare a detailed quote with cabinet layouts, material specifications, and an itemised price breakdown. No hidden fees.
- Step 3: Material Selection, We guide you through door styles, finishes, hardware, and internal fittings at our showroom consultation.
- Step 4: Fabrication / Order, Custom cabinets are built to your exact specifications. Semi-custom and stock orders are placed with confirmed delivery dates.
- Step 5: Site Preparation, We protect your home and carefully remove existing cabinets, coordinating with any plumbing or electrical work required.
- Step 6: Cabinet Installation, Our experienced team installs all cabinets with precision: level, plumb, and perfectly aligned. Soft-close hardware is fitted and tested.
- Step 7: Final Inspection & Cleanup, We walk through every cabinet, adjust every door and drawer, and leave your home clean and ready for countertop installation.
| Typical Timeline: From initial consultation to completed installation, most Montreal kitchen cabinet projects take 4–8 weeks. Custom cabinet projects with fabrication require 8–14 weeks from first measurement to final installation. |
Frequently Asked Questions: Kitchen Cabinets in Montreal
How much should I budget for kitchen cabinets in a Plateau-Mont-Royal triplex?
For a typical Plateau triplex kitchen, galley or L-shaped, under 150 sq ft, budget $12,000–$25,000 for custom cabinets and installation. The irregular dimensions of older Plateau homes make custom sizing almost always necessary. Add $5,000–$12,000 for quartz countertops if upgrading those as well.
Do I need an RBQ license for kitchen cabinet installation in Quebec?
Yes. Any renovation contractor working in Quebec must hold a valid RBQ license for work over $500. Cabinet installation involves fixing cabinets to walls and potentially modifying plumbing and electrical access, all regulated work in Quebec. Always verify before hiring. Tross Construction RBQ: #5841923501.
How long do kitchen cabinets last in Montreal’s climate?
Quality cabinets built with plywood or solid wood boxes and properly finished doors last 20–40 years in Montreal’s climate. The key is moisture resistance, cabinet boxes that swell or warp are almost always cheap particleboard. Soft-close European-style hinges are rated for 100,000+ open/close cycles and should not need replacement for the life of the cabinet.
Can you match new cabinets to existing ones in my kitchen?
In some cases, yes, if the existing cabinets are from a manufacturer we can source from, or if the finish is a standard paint colour we can match. In most cases with older Montreal kitchens, it is more practical and visually cleaner to replace all cabinets at once for a unified look. We will advise you honestly during the consultation.
Do you offer financing or staged payment for kitchen cabinet projects in Montreal?
Yes. Tross Construction offers flexible payment structures for larger projects. Typically a deposit is required to begin fabrication or ordering, with the balance due upon installation completion. We discuss this clearly at the quote stage, no pressure, no surprises.
What is the difference between cabinet refacing and full replacement?
Cabinet refacing means keeping your existing cabinet boxes and replacing only the door fronts, drawer fronts, and visible end panels, plus applying new veneer to exposed box sides. It costs 40–60% less than full replacement and takes far less time. It only makes sense if your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound, properly positioned, and you are happy with the current layout. If your layout needs to change, or the boxes are damaged or mouldy, full replacement is the right choice.
You can also reach us at: contact@trossconstruction.ca
Office: 7131 Rue Bélanger, Montreal, Quebec H1M 3T5