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Cost of a 100 Sq Ft Kitchen Bump-Out Addition in Vancouver

Question

How much does a 100 sq ft kitchen bump-out addition cost in Vancouver — is $80,000 to $120,000 realistic?

Answer from Additions IQ

Yes, $80,000 to $120,000 is a realistic range for a 100 square foot kitchen bump-out addition in Vancouver, and many projects actually land toward the upper end or above it once you factor in kitchen-specific finishing costs. A kitchen bump-out is one of the most expensive types of addition per square foot because you are not just adding empty floor area — you are extending plumbing supply and drain lines, relocating or adding electrical circuits for appliances, installing cabinetry, countertops, and often upgrading ventilation to meet BC Building Code requirements for range exhaust.

Breaking down the costs, the structural shell of a 100 square foot bump-out in Metro Vancouver typically runs $350 to $500 per square foot for the base construction. This includes excavation and new foundation work (a strip footing or full perimeter foundation depending on your soil conditions and the structural engineer's specifications), framing the walls and roof extension, tying the new roof into the existing roofline, new exterior cladding to match, insulation meeting BC's Step Code energy requirements, and weatherproofing the building envelope against Vancouver's marine climate. That shell alone accounts for roughly $35,000 to $50,000 of the total budget.

The kitchen finishing is where costs escalate quickly. Extending or reconfiguring cabinetry runs $8,000 to $20,000 depending on whether you choose stock, semi-custom, or custom units. New countertops for the expanded layout add $3,000 to $8,000 for quartz or natural stone. Plumbing relocation or extension for a sink, dishwasher, or gas line typically costs $3,000 to $6,000, and electrical work including new circuits for appliances, under-cabinet lighting, and bringing the panel up to current code runs another $3,000 to $7,000. Flooring, drywall, paint, trim, and a window or two in the bump-out add $5,000 to $12,000 more.

Permit and professional fees are another significant line item that homeowners sometimes forget to include in the $80,000 to $120,000 estimate. In Vancouver, you will need architectural drawings ($3,000 to $6,000), structural engineering ($2,000 to $4,000), an energy adviser report for Step Code compliance ($1,000 to $2,000), and the building permit itself ($500 to $1,200 based on declared construction value). Surveying to confirm your bump-out respects rear-yard and side-yard setbacks adds another $800 to $1,500.

Several factors specific to Metro Vancouver push kitchen bump-outs toward the higher end. Vancouver's seismic zone classification means your structural engineer will specify more robust connections between the new and existing foundations, heavier hold-down hardware, and potentially deeper footings than you would see in a lower-risk seismic area. The city's rain-heavy marine climate also demands meticulous attention to moisture management at the junction between old and new construction — flashing, drainage planes, and rainscreen wall assemblies all add cost compared to simpler building envelope details in drier climates. Labour rates in the Vancouver market are among the highest in Canada, with skilled carpenters billing $45 to $65 per hour and general contractors applying markups of 15 to 25 percent.

If your existing kitchen is older, there is a meaningful chance the bump-out triggers code-required upgrades to portions of the existing structure. Inspectors may require you to upgrade the electrical panel, add smoke and carbon monoxide detection, or improve insulation in the adjacent walls while they are opened up. These ancillary upgrades can add $3,000 to $10,000 to the project.

To keep the budget closer to the $80,000 end, focus on a simple rectangular footprint that aligns with the existing roof slope, avoid moving the sink or gas line if possible, and choose mid-range cabinetry and countertops. Projects that creep past $120,000 typically involve complex roofline changes, high-end custom cabinetry, structural complications like underpinning an existing foundation, or discovering issues like rot or asbestos when the exterior wall is opened up. Getting three detailed quotes from licensed Vancouver contractors and building a 10 to 15 percent contingency into whatever number you settle on is the safest approach for a kitchen bump-out in this market.

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