A bathroom is a small room with a lot of trades in it (plumbing, electrical, tile, drywall, ventilation), so labour usually makes up a large share of the cost. The price depends most on whether the fixtures stay where they are, how much tile is involved and what kind of shower or tub is installed. This page breaks down each factor. It is part of our directory of what things cost in Canada; renovation costs for the whole house are in how much it costs to renovate a house.
Levels of bathroom renovation
| Level | What it usually includes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic update | Paint, a new vanity top or faucet, lighting, accessories |
| Standard remodel | A new vanity, toilet, tub or shower surround, flooring and tile, in the same layout |
| Full remodel | Everything replaced down to the studs, often a custom tiled shower, heated floors and new ventilation |
| Layout change or new bathroom | Moving or adding fixtures, which means new drains and supply lines |
What drives the cost
| Factor | Why |
|---|---|
| Labour | Several trades in a small space; tile work is slow and skilled |
| Moving plumbing | Relocating a toilet or shower drain means opening floors and walls |
| Moving walls | Structural or partition changes, and sometimes permits |
| Tile | The area covered, the tile size and material, and the pattern |
| The shower | A prefabricated tub or shower unit costs less than a custom tiled walk-in shower with glass |
| Fixtures | Standard vs designer toilets, vanities and faucets |
| Waterproofing and ventilation | A proper membrane and an exhaust fan vented outside prevent moisture damage |
| What’s behind the walls | Rot, mould or old plumbing found during demolition |
Accessibility changes
Grab bars, a curbless shower, a comfort-height toilet and wider doors make a bathroom safer for older or disabled occupants. The federal home accessibility tax credit and some provincial programs help with eligible costs.
Ways to save
| Approach | Why it saves |
|---|---|
| Keeping the layout | No new drains or supply lines |
| Refinishing a tub instead of replacing it | Avoids removal and retiling |
| Tile only where needed | Wet areas tiled, other walls painted |
| Standard fixture sizes | Avoids custom work |
| Doing demolition and painting yourself | Saves labour on the simplest tasks |
Itemized written quotes from several contractors make prices comparable; plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed trades, and moving fixtures or adding circuits usually needs a permit.
Renovation costs vs home value
An updated bathroom is one of the renovations buyers notice most, but the sale price rarely rises by as much as the renovation cost; see how to increase your home’s value. Paying for the work is covered in home renovation loans.