A practical, step-by-step guide based on real experience renovating a condo kitchen in downtown Ottawa using IKEA cabinets. Real costs. Real timelines. Real surprises. Everything you need to know before you start.
When most people think about an IKEA kitchen, they picture picking out cabinets and having them installed. The reality is far more involved — especially in a condo.
This guide was written during an actual IKEA kitchen renovation in a downtown Ottawa high-rise condo in early 2026. It documents every step, every vendor, every invoice, and every surprise along the way. The goal is simple: help anyone considering the same project know exactly what they are getting into.
This is not a sponsored guide. There are no affiliate links, no contractor referrals, and nothing for sale. It is an independent resource for Ottawa homeowners researching IKEA kitchen renovations.
Here is how a typical IKEA condo kitchen renovation unfolds, from first consultation to finished kitchen.
Since summer 2025, IKEA offers in-home kitchen design consultations for $199. An IKEA kitchen planner visits your home, measures the space, takes photos, and helps design your cabinet layout using the IKEA Kitchen Planner software (IKS).
If you proceed with purchasing cabinets from IKEA, the $199 consultation fee is credited back toward your cabinet purchase.
The planner will produce a detailed package including floor plans, elevation drawings, a product master list with pricing, and detailed notes about your specific kitchen.
Once your layout is finalized, IKEA prepares a master shopping list. For a mid-sized condo kitchen, this can be 30+ individual items across dozens of SKUs — frames, doors, drawers, hinges, shelves, lighting strips, filler pieces, and hardware.
IKEA may generate multiple shopping carts because some items are out of stock. You will likely be responsible for:
If you choose IKEA's installation service, a mandatory pre-installation visit is required before work begins. This costs $199 and is deducted from your total installation cost.
During this visit, the installer verifies that the kitchen plan is suitable for installation, checks for any additional work required, and confirms the space is ready for cabinets.
IKEA installs cabinets but does not perform demolition, electrical, or plumbing work. You need a general contractor (GC) for:
After demolition and preparation are complete, IKEA-contracted installers arrive to assemble and install the cabinet system. This typically takes 1–3 days depending on kitchen size and complexity.
The installers handle mounting the SEKTION frames, attaching door fronts, installing MAXIMERA drawers, adjusting UTRUSTA hinges, and fitting LED under-cabinet lighting (MITTLED strips).
Countertops are ordered through IKEA but supplied and installed by a third-party partner. This is a multi-step process:
The installation sequence for plumbing fixtures and backsplash depends on your choices:
Tile backsplashes and single-piece panel backsplashes have very different installation sequences. Discuss the order of operations with your contractor early.
Once countertops, backsplash, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and accessories are all in place, the kitchen becomes fully functional. Final touches typically include:
These are real numbers from an actual IKEA kitchen renovation in a downtown Ottawa high-rise condo, completed in early 2026. All figures are before HST unless noted.
| Category | Details | Cost (pre-tax) |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA Cabinets & Hardware | ||
| SEKTION cabinet frames | Base cabinets, wall cabinets, high cabinets (pantry) | ~$2,100 |
| SINARP door fronts (oak veneer) | All sizes from 12x10" to 24x60" — ranging $38–$178 each | ~$2,400 |
| MAXIMERA drawers | High, medium, and low drawers in various sizes | ~$850 |
| UTRUSTA hinges & shelves | Soft-close hinges, shelves, horizontal door hardware | ~$550 |
| MITTLED LED lighting | Under-cabinet light strips (12", 15", 18", 24" lengths) | ~$200 |
| NYTTIG filler pieces | Filler panels for range micro/hood area | ~$55 |
| Glass drawer sides, pull-outs | MAXIMERA glass sides, pull-out interior fittings | ~$300 |
| VRESJON stainless steel sink | 73x44 included in cabinet order (later replaced with Franke) | $559 |
| Cabinet subtotal | ~$7,000 | |
| Countertops & Backsplash (through IKEA) | ||
| LOCKEBO glass composite countertop | Custom, 1-1/8" thick, off-white/beige marble effect. ~28.5 sq ft at $80/sq ft minus IKEA Family discount | ~$1,940 |
| Countertop preparation & finishing | Undermount sink prep, polishing, hole cutting, straight edge | ~$525 |
| Countertop measurement visit | On-site templating after cabinets installed | $264 |
| Countertop installation | Professional installation of finished countertop | ~$830 |
| TARNHULT wall panel backsplash | Matching glass composite, ~24 sq ft at $80/sq ft | ~$1,650 |
| Backsplash hole cutting & install | Outlet cutouts and professional installation | ~$200 |
| Countertop & backsplash subtotal | ~$5,400 | |
| Contractor (General Contractor Quote) | ||
| Demolition | Existing kitchen, countertops, tile backsplash, appliance removal | $2,200 |
| Electrical | New layout support, arc fault breakers, dining room light rewire | $2,500 |
| Drywall patching | After electrical and demolition | $800 |
| Lighting channel | Create electrical channel for hardwired under-cabinet lighting | $1,200 |
| Plumbing | Kitchen plumbing budget for new layout | $1,000 |
| Backsplash tile installation | Install customer-supplied tile | $2,500 |
| Floor tile repair | Patch holes where old cabinet footprint differs | $500 |
| Venting hookup | Range hood venting | $250 |
| Baseboard | Supply, install, and paint | $800 |
| Contractor subtotal (kitchen only) | ~$11,750 | |
| Fixtures (Not from IKEA) | ||
| Kitchen sink | Franke Maris undermount, Fragranite, champagne — from Ottawa showroom | $710 |
| Sink strainer | Franke matching champagne strainer assembly | $74 |
| Appliances | Bosch cooktop, oven, microwave hood (customer-sourced, not IKEA) | Varies |
| Fixtures subtotal | ~$784+ | |
| Estimated Kitchen Total (before HST) | ~$25,000 | |
| With HST (13%) | ~$28,250 | |
Most people underestimate how long an IKEA kitchen renovation takes. Below is a detailed milestone timeline based on actual experience in Ottawa, showing elapsed days, who owns each step, and what to expect at every stage.
| Milestone | Day | Owner | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book in-home kitchen planning appointment | 0 | You | Book through IKEA's kitchen services. Appointments are typically available within a few days. You will receive a checklist (IKP Checklist) to fill out before the visit — this covers finishes, appliance dimensions, and layout preferences. Complete it ahead of time so the planner arrives prepared. |
| Prepare your kitchen | 0–3 | You | Clear countertops, remove obstructions from walls, and ensure the planner can access under your sink for plumbing. If the space is a construction site, all work must stop during the visit. If the home is completely empty, the planner may suggest meeting at a nearby location after taking measurements. |
| In-home planning visit | ~4 | IKEA planner | A kitchen planning co-worker visits your home for up to 3 hours. They measure the space, discuss your layout, and build a kitchen plan on-site. This is limited to one room. The planner will not bring samples — visit an IKEA store beforehand to choose finishes. |
| Receive kitchen appointment summary | ~4 | IKEA planner | Same day as the visit (usually within hours), you receive a PDF with your kitchen plan, a preliminary product list, an installation quote, and a countertop cost breakdown. You also get a link to your plan in IKEA's online kitchen planner — save it to your IKEA account immediately. |
| Review and approve design | 4–7 | You | Review the plan, request any revisions, and confirm you want to proceed. The faster you approve, the faster the next steps begin. Once you confirm, the planner coordinates the pre-installation visit. |
| Milestone | Day | Owner | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule pre-installation visit | 5–10 | IKEA planner | Your planner sends available time slots (typically 4-hour windows across the next 1–2 weeks). Slots are first come, first serve — reply quickly. Evening windows (5–9 PM) are available but fill fast. |
| Pay for pre-installation visit ($199) | 5–10 | You | IKEA sends a payment link by email. The email subject mentions a "purchase confirmation" — scroll down to find the "pay online" button. Pay promptly, as your slot is not confirmed until payment is received. This $199 is credited toward your installation cost later. |
| Pre-installation visit | ~12 | IKEA third-party installer | A contractor from IKEA's installation partner visits your home to verify measurements, assess the space, and identify any issues (plumbing, electrical, structural) that could affect installation. This is mandatory before you can order cabinets or book installation. |
| Receive demolition & installation estimate | 18–21 | IKEA installer | The third-party installer sends a detailed quote covering demolition, cabinet installation, and any prep work. This can take up to a week after the pre-installation visit. If you have not received it within 5–7 days, follow up — it sometimes requires prompting. |
| Approve the quote | 19–22 | You | Review the estimate, ask questions, and confirm. Once approved, you can proceed to ordering cabinets. |
| Milestone | Day | Owner | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place cabinet order | ~31 | You + IKEA | This step can take longer than expected. Between quote approval and actually placing the order, there may be a 1–2 week gap due to coordination, stock checks, and payment processing. You may need to follow up to keep things moving. Do not assume this happens automatically after quote approval. |
| Monitor stock & place follow-up orders | 31–60+ | You | Your initial order will likely be incomplete due to stock issues. Sign up for restock notifications, check the IKEA website and Ottawa store (Pinecrest) separately, and be prepared for multiple orders and deliveries. See the stock issues section above for strategies. |
| Receive all cabinet components | 45–75 | IKEA / You | Deliveries arrive over multiple shipments. Inspect everything on arrival and cross-reference against your shopping list. Some items may need in-store pickup. All items must be delivered at least 2 weeks before your installation date to avoid a rescheduling fee. |
| Milestone | Day | Owner | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition & preparation | ~75 | IKEA installer / GC | Old cabinets removed, walls patched, electrical and plumbing roughed in. 3–7 days depending on scope. Your kitchen is non-functional from this point forward. |
| Cabinet installation | ~80 | IKEA installer | IKEA's contracted team installs cabinet frames, doors, drawers, and hardware. Typically 1–4 days depending on kitchen size and complexity. |
| Countertop measurement | ~84 | IKEA countertop partner | Scheduled after cabinets are fully installed. A technician measures for custom-fabricated countertops. Cannot happen until cabinets are in place. |
| Countertop fabrication | 84–112 | IKEA countertop partner | Custom countertops are fabricated off-site. This is typically the longest single wait: 2–4 weeks. During this time you have no countertop surface and likely no functioning sink. |
| Countertop + backsplash installation | ~112 | IKEA countertop partner | Countertops and backsplash panels installed. May be completed in a single day if using a matching panel backsplash (e.g., TARNHULT). |
| Plumbing, finishing, touch-ups | 113–116 | GC / Plumber | Sink hookup, faucet installation, baseboard, paint touch-ups, final adjustments. 1–3 days. |
| Project complete | ~116 | — | End to end: approximately 8–16 weeks from first appointment booking to finished kitchen. |
Looking at the timeline above, the hands-on work (demolition, cabinet install, countertop install, finishing) adds up to roughly 2–3 weeks. The remaining 5–13 weeks is waiting: waiting for appointments, waiting for quotes, waiting for stock, waiting for fabrication. The biggest time-savers are responding to IKEA quickly, following up when things stall (especially after the pre-installation visit), and starting to order cabinets the moment your quote is approved rather than waiting for IKEA to initiate.
In particular, the gap between quote approval and actually placing the cabinet order can quietly stretch to 2 weeks if no one is driving it forward. Stay on top of this step — it is easy to lose time here without realizing it.
Renovating a kitchen in a condo adds several layers of complexity that house owners do not face.
Most Ottawa condos require you to submit renovation plans to the condo board or property manager before any work begins. This typically includes:
Allow 1–3 weeks for approval. Some boards only meet monthly.
Condos typically restrict renovation work to specific hours — commonly 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Some buildings prohibit work on weekends entirely.
Demolition is the noisiest phase. Your contractor should be aware of and respect these restrictions.
Cabinet deliveries and debris removal require elevator access. Most condos require you to book the service elevator in advance. IKEA kitchen orders can arrive on multiple pallets — coordinate delivery timing with your building's management.
Plumbing work may require shutting off water to your unit or your stack. This requires coordination with building management and advance notice to affected neighbours. Some buildings only allow shutoffs during specific hours.
Many Ottawa condo buildings have concrete structural walls in the kitchen area. This affects cabinet mounting (requires concrete anchors instead of wood screws) and may require special tools. Your IKEA planner should note this.
Condos often have soffits, bulkheads, or varying ceiling heights that affect upper cabinet placement. Ceiling can drop significantly where ductwork or structural beams run.
An IKEA kitchen order can easily be 30–50 flat-pack boxes weighing hundreds of kilograms total. In a condo, you need to plan where these will be stored before and during installation. Consider your storage locker, a spare bedroom, or staggering deliveries.
Remember: cabinets need to acclimatize inside your unit for at least 72 hours before installation.
If your new cabinet layout differs from the old one (different widths, different locations), there will be exposed floor areas where old cabinets used to sit. If you are not replacing the flooring, budget for floor patching or tile repair to cover these gaps.
This is one of the most frustrating parts of the process and deserves its own section.
IKEA kitchen components (SEKTION frames, MAXIMERA drawers, specific door fronts like SINARP or ASKERSUND) frequently go in and out of stock. When your master shopping list is first created, it is common for several items to be unavailable.
What this means for you:
Purchasing an IKEA kitchen is not a single transaction. The process is entirely consumer-led: you are responsible for ordering each item individually as it becomes available, often across multiple separate orders and delivery windows. There is no unified checkout where you submit your kitchen plan and receive everything together.
To make matters worse, IKEA's fulfillment rules are inconsistent. In our case, cabinet frames were eligible for home delivery to our address, but door fronts for those same cabinets were not — those had to be picked up in-store. There is no clear logic to which items ship and which do not, and the restrictions can vary by postal code. This means you may find yourself placing an online order for half your kitchen and driving to the store for the other half, sometimes on the same day.
The result is a fragmented purchasing experience that stretches over weeks, requires constant monitoring of stock levels, and demands a level of coordination that most buyers do not expect when they sign off on their kitchen plan.
The master shopping list you receive from your pre-installation visit package is an image-based PDF that is not manageable — you cannot search it, sort it, or easily track what has been ordered versus what is still outstanding. Rather than trying to manage this yourself, contact the IKEA kitchen department directly (Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM) and ask a kitchen consultant to take ownership of your shopping list.
The consultant can pull up your full kitchen plan in their system, add restock notifications on their end for any out-of-stock items, and coordinate the ordering process with you. This means you are not solely responsible for checking inventory daily and racing to order items before they sell out again. The consultant can track everything together and contact you when items become available.
This is especially helpful when your order is split across dozens of SKUs with different availability windows. Having a single person at IKEA who knows your full project and is actively monitoring stock for you can save weeks of frustration.
IKEA provides your master shopping list and appointment summary as PDF documents, but these PDFs are image-based — not searchable text. You cannot use Ctrl+F to look up an article number, compare items against your original plan, or quickly verify what has already been ordered. With a kitchen plan that can include 80+ individual line items, this makes cross-referencing tedious and error-prone. Consider manually building your own spreadsheet from the shopping list early in the process so you have a working document you can actually search, sort, and track against.
IKEA offers several countertop lines through their third-party fabrication partner:
Custom countertops (LOCKEBO, quartz) require the two-visit process: measurement, then installation.
Your backsplash choice significantly affects cost, timeline, and coordination:
Decide on your backsplash before countertop installation so everyone can plan the installation sequence.
IKEA handles cabinet installation, but everything else falls to your general contractor. Here is what a real contractor quote looked like for a downtown Ottawa condo kitchen renovation.
| Line Item | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition of existing kitchen, countertops, tile backsplash & appliances | Supply & Install | $2,200 |
| Electrical: support new layout, arc fault breakers, dining light rewire | Supply & Install | $2,500 |
| Drywall patching after electrical and demolition | Supply & Install | $800 |
| Create electrical channel for hardwired under-cabinet lighting | Supply & Install | $1,200 |
| Plumbing budget for kitchen | Supply & Install | $1,000 |
| Install customer-supplied backsplash tile | Install only | $2,500 |
| Repair floor tile holes (where old cabinets sat) | Install only | $500 |
| Venting hookup for range hood | Install only | $250 |
| Supply and install baseboard, including painting | Supply & Install | $800 |
| Kitchen contractor total | $11,750 | |
| HST (13%) | $1,528 | |
| Kitchen contractor total with tax | $13,278 |
These are things that were surprising or that would have been useful to know beforehand, based on actual experience.
Use this checklist before starting your IKEA kitchen renovation.