Quick answer: a bathroom renovation in the GTA typically runs $12,000 to $70,000, with most homeowners landing around $22,000-$38,000 for a mid-range project. The number moves less on finishes than most people expect, and more on whether plumbing is staying put or moving.
Bathrooms fail on a schedule nothing else in your house keeps. They run wet every single day, so grout goes first, then caulking, then fixtures, until the layout itself starts feeling like it was built for someone else's routine, not yours.
A bathroom renovation is different from a quick refresh. A refresh swaps finishes in the same footprint. A renovation reworks what's actually going on behind the tile, and gets the layout to fit how you actually use the room, not just how it looked when the house was built.
What a Bathroom Renovation Actually Involves
Every renovation starts the same way: checking the subfloor for water damage, confirming exhaust fan sizing for the room's square footage, and deciding whether the layout is staying put or changing. That last decision affects the budget more than any finish choice.
From there, the scope typically covers: a proper waterproofing membrane behind all wet-area tile (not just the tile itself), subfloor repair where moisture has already gotten in, plumbing rough-in relocation if the layout is changing, GFCI-protected electrical near the vanity, ventilation sized correctly for the room, then tile, vanity, fixtures, and glass.
What It Costs to Expect
Bathroom renovation cost depends far more on whether plumbing moves than on how nice the tile is. Here's what each tier generally includes.
Same footprint, new tile, vanity, and fixtures, standard ventilation, no plumbing relocation.
Custom shower or tub-to-shower conversion, double vanity, upgraded tile and lighting, minor layout tweaks.
Plumbing relocated, heated floors, custom glass, premium fixtures, full layout redesign.
Broken down by category, a typical mid-range project spends roughly:
| Category | Typical GTA Range | % of Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing & Subfloor Prep | $1,800 – $5,500 | ~15% |
| Tile Installation | $3,500 – $9,000 | ~25% |
| Vanity & Countertop | $2,000 – $6,500 | ~15% |
| Plumbing Fixtures & Rough-In | $3,000 – $8,500 | ~20% |
| Ventilation & Electrical | $900 – $2,400 | ~5% |
| Glass Shower / Tub Surround | $1,800 – $5,000 | ~10% |
How the Process Runs
Every bathroom renovation follows the same three phases, whether it's a refresh or a full layout change.
Design & Selections
Layout confirmed, fixtures and tile selected, and a permit filed if plumbing is moving, before any demolition starts.
Demo, Rough-In & Waterproofing
Old fixtures and tile removed, plumbing and electrical rough-in updated, waterproofing membrane installed and cured.
Tile, Fixtures & Final Walkthrough
Tile, vanity, glass, and fixtures installed, followed by a final check for level, grout lines, and water tightness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on tile alone for waterproofing instead of a proper membrane behind it, which is why bathrooms leak into the ceiling below years later.
- Undersizing the exhaust fan for the room, which leaves lingering humidity that feeds mould behind the walls.
- Retiling over a subfloor that's already soft or water-damaged instead of replacing it first.
- Picking a shower or tub that doesn't match the existing plumbing rough-in without budgeting for the cost of moving it.
- Skipping GFCI-protected outlets near the vanity, which fails inspection and is a real shock hazard near water.
When Bathroom Renovation Isn't the Right Fit
Not every bathroom problem needs a renovation, and we'd rather say so than upsell you into one.
If you're dealing with a single leaking faucet, a cracked toilet, or grout that just needs recaulking, that's a repair, not a renovation, and we'll tell you that before booking a full assessment. If you own a condo and want to relocate plumbing, check with your condo corporation first: many buildings restrict moving drain stacks regardless of your unit's layout, and that can rule out a full renovation before it starts. And if your bathroom is functionally fine and the only issue is dated finishes, a lighter cosmetic refresh gets you most of the visual upgrade for a fraction of a full renovation's cost and disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in the GTA?
Most GTA bathroom renovations run $12,000 to $70,000. A same-footprint refresh with new tile, vanity, and fixtures typically lands around $12,000-$20,000. A mid-range renovation with a custom shower or double vanity runs $22,000-$38,000. Moving plumbing or going fully custom can pass $42,000.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom renovation in Ontario?
Usually not for a like-for-like replacement of tile, a vanity, or fixtures in the same spots. A permit is required if you're relocating plumbing drain lines, adding a bathroom, or doing electrical work beyond a straight swap.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A same-footprint refresh typically takes 2-3 weeks. A mid-range renovation with a layout change or custom shower runs 4-6 weeks, mostly waiting on waterproofing cure times and custom glass or vanity lead times.
Can I still use another bathroom while mine is being renovated?
Yes, as long as your home has a second bathroom, water and plumbing to the rest of the house stay on for the full project. We only shut off water briefly during rough-in and fixture connection days, and we tell you which days those are in advance.
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