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Kitchen upgrade questions, answered honestly
Here are the questions our designers hear most, with the straight answers we give in your kitchen. Can’t find yours? Ask us — we reply within one business day.
Good questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen upgrade cost in Canada?
Most Just Kitchen Upgrade projects land between $4,500 and $25,000 depending on size and scope. Cabinet painting for a typical 10×10 kitchen starts around $4,500–$7,500; refacing with new doors runs $9,000–$16,000; a full surface makeover with counters, backsplash and flooring is usually $15,000–$30,000. A full tear-out renovation of the same kitchen often costs $40,000–$70,000. Your designer gives a fixed, itemised price at the free consultation.
How long will my kitchen be out of action?
Rarely at all. Cabinet painting takes 3–5 days, redooring 2–3, refacing 4–6 and a full makeover 1–3 weeks. Because we don’t move plumbing or walls, your sink and stove are usable most evenings and you can stay in your home throughout.
Is painting cabinets really durable, or will it chip?
Done properly, yes — it’s as durable as a factory finish. We degrease, de-gloss, repair, prime with a bonding primer and spray a catalysed cabinet lacquer in a controlled booth, never brushed on-site. That process is why we can back it with a workmanship warranty.
Which service is right for my cabinets?
If the boxes and doors are sound and you want a new colour, choose painting. If doors are dated or damaged but boxes are good, choose redooring (new doors only) or refacing (new doors plus matching veneer on the boxes). If the layout doesn’t work or boxes are failing, custom cabinets are the better long-term investment. Your designer will tell you honestly which one fits.
Do you serve my area?
Just Kitchen Upgrade has locally owned teams in every Canadian province and territory, from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador and across the North. Enter your postal code in the form above and we’ll connect you with the nearest crew.
Do you handle permits, and are you insured?
Surface upgrades normally don’t require permits. When electrical or gas work does (new circuits, relocated outlets), our licensed trade partners pull them and arrange inspection. Every location carries liability insurance and provincial workers’ compensation coverage.
Costs & quotes
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. The designer visit, measurements, samples, rendering and written quote are all free, with no obligation.
Do prices vary by province?
Slightly — labour and material freight differ across the country. Your local quote is fixed and itemised regardless of where you live.
Is HST/GST included in the quote?
Quotes show the pre-tax price and applicable tax separately, so there are no surprises.
Process & timeline
Do I need to empty my cabinets?
For painting and refacing, uppers and the cabinets being sprayed need to be emptied; drawers can usually stay full. Your team confirms exactly what to move the week before.
What about smell and dust?
Doors are finished off-site in our mobile booth. In-home spraying happens in a sealed, ventilated zone with low-VOC products; most clients notice little more than a faint “new car” smell for a day.
Can you work around my schedule?
Yes — most crews work 8am–4pm weekdays, and many locations offer evening and Saturday starts.
Warranty & care
How do I clean painted or refaced cabinets?
Warm water, a drop of dish soap and a microfibre cloth. Avoid abrasive pads and ammonia cleaners.
What does the warranty cover?
Peeling, bubbling or adhesion failure of finishes and veneer, door alignment and hardware installed by us. Normal wear, impact damage and water damage are excluded. Full terms are on the warranty page.
Your dream kitchen is a phone call away
Ready to see what your kitchen could look like?
Book a free, no-pressure in-home consultation. Measure-up, samples and a written fixed quote — all in one visit.