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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sharing 40 Years Of Experience With You. Learn. Discover. Create.
We started building custom cabinets and beautiful spaces four decades ago, and since then, we’ve built expertise that you can rely on. On this page, we’ve collected many of our most frequently asked questions with quick, easy-to-read answers so you can get the information you need to make confident decisions!

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How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Winnipeg?

Kitchen renovations can vary widely depending on finish/material choices and the overall size and scope of the project. For a complete renovation in Winnipeg, including design, manufacturing, project management and coordination of all applicable trades, the cost of a Gateway custom kitchen renovation starts at approximately $45k and goes up from there. For a detailed look at how a kitchen renovation is priced and what goes into each one we do, read our in-depth article here

How long does a kitchen renovation take in Winnipeg?
Timelines can vary. The design process that happens prior to signing a contract and starting the renovation can take 6-8 weeks on average (depending on how many changes and consults occur during this process). Once you’ve signed your contract with us and paid your initial payment, your project goes into production (engineering, manufacturing, ordering supplies and materials) and depending on the scope, it will be between 6-10 weeks before we start work in your house (demolition, framing, plumbing/electrical, etc) and about 2 weeks after we start, your cabinets will be installed and finishing begins (countertops, tile work, flooring, paint, etc). Overall, with minimal changes or delays mid-renovation, you can expect 4-5 months from your job start payment.
Do I need permits for a kitchen renovation in Winnipeg?
Permits are required for all electrical, plumbing or structural changes. Once we know the scope of your project, our team will ensure you have all the permits you require for your renovation. Learn more about our Project Coordination team here.
Do you refinish cabinets on-site?
No. All our cabinet finishes (both paint and stain) are sprayed on in a controlled environment in our shop for the highest level of quality, quality control, and durability. While the process of removing doors to bring to our shop is simple enough, there are many finished parts of your cabinets that likely cannot be removed without major effort and possible damage. If you are looking to have your cabinetry refinished, there are companies we have worked with that we can recommend. If you would like a recommendation, please reach out using our contact form, and we can let you know who we would trust with your project.
Can you help with small bathrooms in older Winnipeg homes?
Yes! Small bathrooms and old homes in Winnipeg can present unique challenges, (old wiring or plumbing, insufficient utility for a modern home, or even pieces that are not up to modern building code). While older-home renovations—and especially complex rooms like kitchens and bathrooms in older homes—often come with surprises once demolition begins, we have decades of experience to ensure your project turns out the way you’d like it to. If you’re considering a renovation on an older home in Winnipeg, we would be happy to explore options with you. Book a free one-hour consultation with a member of our creative Design Team to get started!
Can I keep my existing cabinets and just replace countertops?
Yes! We are able to fabricate both butcherblock and laminate countertops in-house, and would be happy to quote a countertops project for you. If you are only looking to replace countertops with custom-fabricated stone (granite, quartz, marble, porcelain, etc), it’s probably more cost efficient for you to reach out to a stone countertop company directly rather than going through Gateway. We can help with recommendations if you like. If you’d like a recommendation for one of our favourite stone countertop fabricators, please fill out our contact form and we can help! Not sure which type of countertop is best for you? Learn more in our Counter Intelligence article.
What types of home renovations do you offer in Winnipeg?
While we specialize in custom cabinetry design and construction, making kitchens and bathrooms our most common renovations, we can (and do) design and renovate all areas of your home, including designing and coordinating home additions. As a full-service renovator, we can manage your residential project of any size from conception and design, through engineering, production, demolition, trades and finishing… all the way to the completed space. With a team of Designers and Project Managers, your project will have experienced eyes on it for the duration.
Do you handle plumbing and electrical for bathroom renovations?
We are a full-service renovation company who will coordinate your project from conception and design to completion. We partner with many trusted trades in Winnipeg and will oversee your entire project including electrical, plumbing, tilework, fixtures, flooring, countertops and more. Want more information on what you can expect from a major renovation? Read more here.
Can I renovate my kitchen and bathroom at the same time?
You can! It often works out to be more cost-effective in the long run, as individual trades can work on both spaces at the same time. This is especially true for small spaces where the work required might not cost as much as the trade minimum required to bring someone to the site. It can be difficult as a homeowner to have much of your home a construction area all at once, but if you can manage it, we’re happy to do it! For tips on surviving a major kitchen renovation, check out our Kitchen Renovation Survival Guide
Do you offer design consultations before starting a renovation?
Yes! We do offer design consultations, including a free, no-obligation, one-hour initial consultation to explore options and talk to a member of our design team. This consultation will give you an opportunity to share your ideas for the space, explore our wide selection of samples and showroom displays, and connect with a Designer who can get you started! To book a consultation, you can choose a date and time that works best for you on our website tool here.
Can you work with my existing floor plan, or do you offer layout redesigns?
Whether you are looking to redesign your space within the existing layout of your home or make major changes to the floor plan, we are well-equipped to assist you with your project. Oftentimes, especially in older homes, the flow just isn’t working for you and our creative Design Team is skilled at reworking a space to get the best out of it. Whether you have a specific plan, or just know it could be better but aren’t sure how, we can help! During our design process, our team will listen to better understand the needs of your household and offer creative solutions. Meet our Design Team here.
Do you renovate older Winnipeg homes?
Yes! We have renovated many older homes in Winnipeg, and while they can present unique challenges, we are well-equipped to do all necessary updates. While some homeowners prefer a modern aesthetic makeover, many also prefer to build something that better suits the original style and character of the home. Whichever you choose for your home renovation, we will use our experience to identify and mitigate issues that may arise, (like updates to plumbing or wiring—common issues in older homes) and make your space reflect your style and lifestyle.
Can I get soft-close drawers and doors with custom cabinetry?
Yes! All soft-close options for cabinet doors and drawers, as well as any additional hardware options (pull-outs, Super Susans, racks, drawer organizers, appliance lifts, etc) are available for your custom cabinets.
How long does it take to build and install custom cabinets in Winnipeg?
Depending on the size and scope of your project, once your design is finalized, your contract is signed and you’ve paid your initial payment, it typically takes between 8-12 weeks (engineering, material and hardware procurement, and production) before the finished cabinets will be installed in your home. Need some inspiration? Explore our galleries here!
What is the cost difference between custom and prefab cabinets?
There are three general categories of cabinets on the market. Stock cabinets (what you would find at a big-box store) that come in a handful of sizes and finishes, Semi-custom cabinets (mass-produced at scale in factories, but with a much wider range of sizes and options) and Custom cabinetry (built to order with nearly unlimited options in style, finish, function and size). While we do not offer any stock cabinet options, we offer both a line of semi-custom cabinets (through Superior Cabinets) and our own fully-custom line, designed on site and built in our shop by local craftspeople. While we cannot speak directly to stock cabinets, they would be the cheapest option available. As to the cost difference between semi-custom and custom cabinets? Depending on the design, custom-built cabinets generally cost around 50% more than semi-custom. We wrote an article describing the differences in more detail to help you make a confident decision. Read it here.
Do you design cabinets for other spaces like laundry rooms or basements?
Yes! While many of our custom cabinets are built for kitchens and bathrooms, if there is a different room you’d like to add custom cabinetry or built-ins to (living rooms, dining rooms, bar areas, closets, storage areas, laundry rooms, etc), we can absolutely design and build it for you. Custom cabinets offer the ability to perfectly fit a pre-determined space, and are infinitely customizable for style and needs. To explore some of our recent home cabinetry projects, check out our gallery here.
Can I see samples of custom finishes and styles in your showroom?
While we can build and source almost anything you would like, we do have a large range of finish, door style, hardware, fixture, tile and countertop samples available in both our showrooms for you to explore. Feel free to drop into either one of our locations (893 Gateway Road or A-112 Scurfield Blvd) or make an appointment to explore your options with a member of our Design Team.
Do you build cabinets locally in Winnipeg?
Yes! All our custom cabinetry is designed, engineered and built in Winnipeg in our shop by local craftspeople at our head-office location on Gateway Road.
How long does it take to build and install custom cabinets in Winnipeg?
Depending on the size and scope of your project, once your design is finalized, your contract is signed and you’ve paid your initial payment, it typically takes between 8-12 weeks (engineering, material and hardware procurement, and production) before the finished cabinets will be installed in your home. Need some inspiration? Explore our galleries here.
What are the most popular kitchen design styles in Winnipeg right now?

When it comes to current kitchen design styles in Winnipeg, we’re building a lot of modern-style cabinets with slab or shaker-style doors (standard or narrow edge) with white, coloured, or natural wood finishes. Two-tone kitchens and white countertops are also popular. For inspiration and to see some of our recent work, check out our Kitchen Gallery here

Is it better to renovate in the summer or winter in Winnipeg?

Overall, it’s easier to have major renovation work taking place in your home during the warmer months. There tends to be a lot of traffic coming and going through your house and it’s less of a disruption when the weather is warm and dry. It’s also nice to be able to utilize outdoor spaces for cooking, eating and relaxing when the inside of your home may be dusty and dismantled. However, we do many winter renovations too, and because that tends to be a slower time for us, timelines can sometimes be shorter. 

open concept kitchen renovation with large island and oversized custom range hood

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