What are the average material costs for renovations in New Brunswick in 2026?

Material costs for renovations in New Brunswick in 2026 track close to the national average for most products, since building materials are largely shipped into the province — expect to budget roughly 40-60% of your total renovation cost for materials, with the remainder covering labour, permits, and disposal. Here's a practical breakdown of what NB homeowners are paying for common renovation materials right now.

For kitchens, stock cabinets run $150-$350 per linear foot; semi-custom cabinets $300-$600 per linear foot; and full custom cabinetry $500-$1,200 per linear foot. Quartz countertops — the most popular choice in NB right now — cost $60-$120 per square foot installed. Quartz has largely replaced granite in mid-range NB kitchens due to its durability and low maintenance in the humidity swings the Maritime climate creates. Tile backsplash materials run $5-$25 per square foot depending on the tile, with installation adding another $8-$15 per square foot in labour.

For bathrooms, a quality freestanding vanity runs $400-$2,000 depending on size and finish. Porcelain floor tile costs $3-$12 per square foot for materials; large-format tile for shower walls runs $8-$20 per square foot. A prefab shower unit runs $500-$2,500; a custom tile shower pan with linear drain and full-height tile walls can push $3,000-$8,000 in materials alone before any labour.

For flooring, engineered hardwood runs $4-$10 per square foot in materials, while luxury vinyl plank (LVP) — the go-to for NB basements and main floors given its moisture resistance — costs $2-$6 per square foot for materials. Porcelain tile runs $3-$12 per square foot. All of these need to be acclimated to your home's humidity before installation, which matters in NB where winter air is very dry and summer air is very humid.

For exterior work, vinyl siding materials run $1.50-$3.50 per square foot; fibre cement siding (HardiePlank) runs $2.50-$5 per square foot for materials. Architectural asphalt shingles cost $1.50-$3 per square foot in materials; metal roofing runs $3-$8 per square foot for materials before labour. Remember that installed costs are roughly double material costs for most of these products once you add skilled labour.

Insulation is a major cost category for NB renovations given the province's climate demands. Fibreglass batt insulation runs $0.50-$1.50 per square foot; rigid foam board $0.75-$2.50 per square foot; closed-cell spray foam $2-$4 per board foot (a critical distinction — spray foam is priced by volume, not area). Spray foam is worth the premium for basement walls and rim joists in NB, where it creates both an air seal and a vapour retarder in a single application.

Material costs have stabilized somewhat since the post-COVID spike years, but lumber, drywall, and framing materials remain elevated compared to 2019 prices. Supply chain delays are less severe than they were in 2021-2022, but specialty items — custom windows, certain tile formats, engineered lumber — can still have 4-8 week lead times. Order materials early, especially if you're planning a spring or early summer renovation start when contractor schedules and material supplies are both under pressure across NB.

Always get your contractor's material allowances spelled out in writing — a vague 'allowance for tile' in a contract is an invitation to cost overruns. Ask for specific product specifications with unit prices for every material category in your project.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations