Local service guide
Plan kitchen remodeling in Burnaby, BC
For kitchen remodeling in Burnaby, hire against a written scope that separates finish replacements from wall, plumbing, electrical and gas changes. Confirm permit responsibility and asbestos testing before demolition, then compare quotes with the same cabinet specifications, appliance plan and disposal allowance. The City exempts minor cabinet, flooring and painting work from building permits, but system changes can require separate trade permits in single-family and duplex homes. [1] [2] [3]
Choose the scope before choosing a contractor
Write down what you want to keep: the sink location, appliance positions, cabinet boxes, flooring and walls. Then list what you want to replace. Give each bidder the same list, along with photographs, approximate room measurements and your appliance selections. Ask them to identify any assumptions that need a site visit.
Burnaby says minor work such as replacing cabinets and flooring or painting the interior does not need a building permit. The City requires permits for alterations, including building or taking down walls. Ask the Building Department to confirm the requirements for your exact scope before you authorize work. [1]
Ask a contractor proposing wall removal who will determine the wall's structural role and prepare any required drawings. For cabinetry, specify whether the quote covers refacing, replacement boxes or custom construction. Record countertop material, backsplash extent, hardware and installation details so you can compare the work each bidder includes.
Assign building and trade permit responsibility
For single-family and duplex dwellings, Burnaby requires an electrical permit for electrical work or installations, a gas permit for installing or modifying gas systems, and a plumbing permit for installing or changing plumbing systems. Keeping the room layout does not establish that your trade work is exempt. [2]
Ask each bidder to name the person who will apply for each permit, pay the fees and arrange inspections. Include those responsibilities in the contract. Request copies of permits and inspection records for your project file, and ask which stages require inspection before the contractor covers the work.
The City's residential trade-permit guidance covers single-family and duplex homes. If you own an apartment, confirm the applicable process with the Building Department. Ask your strata manager about renovation approval, water shutdowns, work hours, elevator reservations and protection of shared areas before agreeing to a start date. [2]
Prepare for demolition and material hazards
WorkSafeBC directs homeowners to test for asbestos before renovation or demolition. Its guidance identifies drywall, textured ceilings and vinyl flooring as potential sources. It says homes built before 1990 are likely to contain some asbestos and that newer homes can contain it when builders used older materials. [3]
WorkSafeBC recommends hiring a licensed asbestos surveyor to sample suspect materials and provide a report. If the survey identifies asbestos, hire a licensed abatement contractor and give them that report. Obtain the contractor's completion report confirming containment or removal before proceeding with renovation. [3]
Ask bidders whether their demolition allowance includes testing, containment, removal and disposal, or whether they exclude those items. Agree on a written process for pricing discoveries behind cabinets or under flooring. Require your approval of the added scope and cost before the contractor proceeds.
Compare complete quotes and a workable schedule
Request separate amounts for demolition, cabinets, counters, installation, trade work, permits and debris handling. Ask whether the contractor includes appliances, delivery, taxes, patching and painting. For allowances, record the product or quantity assumed and how the contractor will calculate any difference after you make selections.
Metro Vancouver publishes disposal rates by material. Its July 1, 2026 schedule lists used gypsum at CAD 210 per tonne, new gypsum at CAD 158 per tonne and yard trimmings or clean wood at CAD 139 per tonne. These are regional facility fees, not kitchen renovation prices or complete hauling charges. [4]
Ask for a schedule that separates design and approvals, ordering, demolition, trade work, cabinetry and completion. Confirm who will check appliance dimensions before cabinet production. Plan your temporary cooking area and ask how the crew will isolate dust, secure the work area and restore access to water and power.
Selected Metro Vancouver renovation-material disposal rates
Local details that affect your job
Submit alteration applications online and keep drawings on site
Burnaby accepts alteration and addition applications through My Permits Portal. Applicants must print the issued permit package, including drawings at the approved 36 by 24 inch size and in the issued colour, and keep a copy on site for inspections. Assign the printing and site-copy responsibility before work begins. [1]
Check approval order before promising a start date
Effective July 1, 2026, Burnaby says some projects need a Development Permit before applicants can submit or receive a Building Permit. Ask the City whether this applies to your proposal, particularly if your kitchen project includes an addition. Do not assume this extra approval applies to a cabinet replacement. [1]
Confirm the permit route for your dwelling type
Burnaby allows online electrical, gas and plumbing permit applications for single-family and duplex dwellings through My Permits Portal, where applicants can also book inspections. Apartment owners should confirm their permit route with the Building Department. The City's trade-permit page lists 604-294-7130 for questions. [2]
Match your proposal to the next planning step
| Proposed work | Permit or preparation issue | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Replace cabinets, flooring or interior paint | Burnaby lists these minor works as exempt from a building permit. | Confirm whether the scope also includes regulated trade work. |
| Build or remove a wall | Burnaby treats wall changes as alterations requiring a permit. | Confirm drawing requirements before agreeing to demolition. |
| Change wiring, plumbing or gas in a single-family or duplex home | The City requires permits for work on these systems. | Name the trade permit applicants and inspection coordinator. |
| Disturb existing drywall or vinyl flooring | WorkSafeBC identifies these as potential asbestos-containing materials. | Arrange testing before demolition and review the report. |
| Expand the building footprint or create additional floor area for the kitchen | Burnaby classifies changes to the building footprint or increases in floor area as additions; a Development Permit may be required. | Confirm the approval order before setting the construction date. |
Your hiring checklist
- Prepare one scope and selection list for all bidders.
- Ask the City to confirm building and trade permit requirements for your dwelling and proposed work.
- Name the permit applicant and inspection coordinator in the contract.
- Arrange asbestos assessment before authorizing demolition.
- Compare inclusions, exclusions and allowances alongside the total price.
- Confirm debris separation, hauling and disposal responsibilities.
- Agree on change approvals, payment stages and completion documents.
- Plan temporary cooking, water access and building access before the crew starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets?
Burnaby lists cabinet replacement among minor works that do not need a building permit. Check the rest of your scope: wall alterations require a permit, and electrical, plumbing or gas work in single-family and duplex homes has separate trade-permit requirements. [1] [2]
Can I use the single-family permit guidance for my condo?
Confirm your process with the Building Department. The residential trade-permit page covers single-family and duplex dwellings. Ask your strata manager about building approvals and access arrangements, and give the contractor those requirements before requesting a final quote. [2]
Should asbestos testing happen before the contractor removes the floor?
Yes. WorkSafeBC directs homeowners to test before renovation or demolition and identifies vinyl flooring among potential asbestos sources. Arrange a licensed surveyor, then use the findings to define any abatement work before the contractor disturbs materials. [3]
Does the disposal chart tell me what debris removal will cost?
It gives selected Metro Vancouver per-tonne facility rates effective July 1, 2026. The region also applies minimum and transaction charges, and it restricts used gypsum. Ask your contractor to quote labour, loading, transport and disposal as part of the debris allowance. [4]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.