Bathroom renovation does not necessarily mean uprooting all its elements and spending hefty money on plumbing, faucets, sinks, and bathtubs. This process includes making minor and major changes to completely overhaul the space and fixing bathroom accessories that can improve your life. This change is about tailoring your bathroom according to your needs and aesthetics while maintaining its efficiency and functionality. On the other hand, bathroom remodelling refers to changing the layout and structure of your bathroom, along with numerous fixtures and accessibility features.

Some of the key elements of bathroom renovation include:

    • Replacing fixtures: Updated fixtures such as toilet seats, showers, bathtubs, and sinks can change the overall appearance of your bathroom and save money by installing some water-saving technologies.
    • Flooring and tile installation: Old bathrooms used to be heavily reliant on floral tiles and vinyl flooring, but the new bathrooms give off a cooler vibe with light-coloured tiles and porcelain tiles. This change is much more aesthetically pleasing and protects the bathroom from regular water damage.
    • Plumbing updates: It’s not just our phones that need constant updates. Bathroom renovations include updating the plumbing pipes and techniques used under the floor to save residents from hefty water bills and constant pipe blockages.
    • Decoration and Accessories: A small makeover can completely transform the bathroom, from mirrors to towel bars to decoration pieces. This type of renovation can save a lot of money and still give impactful and noticeable results.
    • Storage and Accessibility: Bathroom renovation is not just about the outer appearance of the bathroom but also about the needs and customisations demanded by the customer. This can include more storage space for families with kids or a walk-in shower with grab bars for disabled members. 

Customers can also demand changes in paint colours, finishing touches, ventilation styles, and lighting fixtures. This is, however, dependent on the customer’s lifestyle, budget, preferences, comfort, and project scope.

Factors Affecting Bathroom Renovation Costs

Factors Affecting Bathroom Renovation Costs

On average, a small guest bathroom can be renovated for between $5000 and $15,000, while the full transformation of a primary bathroom costs $15,000. These costs and estimates largely depend on regional and economic factors, which might increase or decrease your financial investments in bathroom renovations.

Some of them include:

    • Type of Bathroom and Sink : The first thing that will affect your bathroom renovation budget and actual cost is its size. As the size of the bathroom increases, so does the cost of labour, tiling, flooring, and other materials. The same goes for the size and quality of the sink. The cost of replacing a vanity sink might be much more than that of a pedestal sink.
    • Finishing Level : The finishing level of your bathroom will make all the difference at the end of the renovation. The higher the finishing level, the more visually appealing it will look. Overall, there are four levels when it comes to this process. The first-grade level will make the space functional, but the higher levels will also deliver quality and customer satisfaction.
    • Labour Costs : Labour costs for bathroom renovations vary across Canada, as urban labourers charge multiple times more than rural employees. This cost also depends on the number of contractors available in the zone and the location of your house. Thus, if your home is near the farmlands, you might get a cheaper bathroom renovation than someone living in the middle of the town.
    • Plumbing and Electrical Repairs: Before starting the renovation, get professional help to analyse the plumbing and electrical work done under and over the bathroom walls. This will help you make a more accurate estimate of costs and will also assist in discovering some serious problems with the bathroom structure that can be repaired.
    • Permits: Many provinces and municipalities have made it mandatory to ask for a bathroom renovation permit before starting with the construction. Your contractor must also be registered, and each action plan should be filed with the authorities in charge.

Other factors that might affect the bathroom renovation costs are its function (whether it is for kids or adults), the tub to be installed, and the flooring tiles you want. 

Average Cost of Bathroom Remodel and Renovation

You must hire a professional contractor to give cost estimates for bathroom renovations, but the average expense for such a major transformation can be about $13,393. Most homeowners spend between $4,587 and $9714 to renovate their small-to-medium-sized bathrooms. As the size and complexity of fixtures increase, so does the cost, up to $17,000. A small 40-square-foot bathroom will cost you only $3931 to renovate, not including the $100 per square foot labour expense. The cost of materials and labour will vary from area to area in Canada. So here is an average table of renovation costs using medium-quality materials that can be found in any departmental store.

Installation

Material Cost

Removal

Labour Cost

Total

Bathtub

$525 to $1,310

$65 to $393

$589 to $786

$1,179 to $2,490

Countertops

$131 to $1,310

$6 to $39

$65 to $196

$203 to $1,546

Flooring

$78 to $170

$39 to $786

$458 to $851

$576 to $1,808

Lighting Fixture

$65 to $157

$6 to  $13

$196 to $288

$268 to $458

Shower

$458 to  $589

$39 to $65

$458 to $589

$956 to $1,310

Sink

$100 to $250

$15 to  $95

$300 to $350

$415 to $695

Toilet

$131 to $655

$13 to $26

$458 to $589

$602 to $1,271

Here are some of the average costs of bathroom renovation’s key elements in Canada:

Installation

Cost (Per Square Foot)

Electrical and Plumbing ($250 per pot light)

$4000 

Cement Board and Drywall (Durock)

$1500

Tile

Porcelain- $5

Marble mosaics- $10 

Installation Cost- $3 to $15

Vanity (Standard size with 6” increments)

$800 to $1500

Stone ( Granite, Marble or Quartz)

$50 to $120 

Labour

$1500 (In Total)

The cost of a bathroom renovation depends largely on its intended use. Functional bathrooms are always better than aesthetically pleasing ones. A powder room will not require a shower head, but a master bathroom will most certainly need large bathtubs and small plumbing fixtures.

Here is the average cost of a bathroom remodelling based on its functionality: 

Function

Difference

Cost 

Powder Room 

It has only a sink and a toilet with excellent lighting

$1,834

Guest Bathroom

Excellent fixtures but smaller bathtub and space

$196 per sq. ft.

Master Bathroom

Best quality fixtures, bathtub and tiles for daily usage

$327 per sq. ft.

Kid’s Bathroom

Less expenditure on aesthetics and more on functionality

$7000 to $9000 

Bathroom Renovation Costs: Key Points to Remember

Bathroom Renovation Costs: Key Points to Remember

Bathroom renovations will ultimately increase your property’s value by multifold and give you an ROI of 75 to 100% when reselling. However, there are a few key points that you must take care of while undergoing renovations, as one small missed detail can take away the numerous upgrades done to the bathroom.

Tubs

A tub is one of the first things a person notices in a bathroom after the toilet seat. It is also one of the most used bathroom features and must always give a classic yet trendy look after a bathroom renovation. Residents can also save some money on this element and instead install showers with shower curtains, making the bathroom appear larger and more functional. On average, a bathtub costs between $969 and $1834 in Canada, not considering the labour costs. Residents must choose the bathtub design that they think will be most comfortable and functional according to their personal usage, depending on their budget and the overall look of the room:

    • Standard Tub: General family usage 
    • Soaking Tub: For long, hot baths and relaxation purposes
    • Whirlpool Tubs: Equipped with water and air jets to get at-home spa treatment 
    • Walk-in Tub: For individuals with mobility issues, there is no need to climb over the side
    • Freestanding Tub: Saves plumbing money as it is not attached to walls or floor

These are mostly preferred by families with kids, older members or multiple pets.

Showers

For families who want their bathroom to look cleaner and have no functional use of a bathtub, installing a shower is the best choice for personal hygiene. This small fixture can save you tons of money yearly, with minimal plumbing installations and less fear of water or tile damage. A showerhead will cost an average of $19 but can go as high as $786, based on the selected model and its features. The cost of plumbing during bathroom renovations can reach up to $65 an hour. If you plan on moving out soon, you can choose to install a basic yet clean model for your house, as it won’t cost the next owner a lot to change the design. The average cost to install a shower can be between $1572 and $2621, which is a one-time cost in most cases.

Here are some types of showers that you can install in your bathroom based on functional usage:

    • Electric Shower: On-demand heated water
    • Mixer Shower- Automatically mixing hot and cold water at a desired temperature
    • Digital Shower: Modern Showers that control the flow and temperature of the water
    • Eco Shower- Environmentally safe shower with minimal water flow 
    • Handheld Showers- Flexible hose and bar handle attached on the back for disabled citizens

Tiles and Flooring 

The most natural and efficient bathroom upgrade you can do is install new tiles and flooring. They will not only change the look of your bathroom but can serve many functional purposes while adding a calm aesthetic to your everyday life. Ensure that the bathroom floors are slightly angled at the drain and that there is an added gap between the tiles to maintain slip resistance. You can choose your flooring options from the tile styles mentioned below (per square foot) based on the budget and material quality required.

    • Linoleum: $6 to $9 
    • Marble: $20 to $23 
    • Ceramic: $1.31 to $2.10 
    • Porcelain: $7 to $11

Bathroom tile must be expressive yet give a homely vibe to the space, with plain colours and cottage vibes. The average cost of changing bathroom tiles in Canada for a 53-square-foot area is between $917 and $1048. Some of the available tiling options during bathroom renovation (cost per square feet) can be;

    • Granite: $14 
    • Ceramics: $23
    • Porcelain: $5
    • Natural Stone: $11
    • Slate: $24

Plumbing and Electrical Costs

Plumbing and electrical changes are expensive and can alter the internal wiring of your home. So make sure that you don’t make unnecessary switches in either of these systems. This work used to be cheaper and easier, as old homes had spacious crawlspaces, which are not found in modern homes. This work must be done by a licensed professional and should not disrupt the flow of water or electricity in your house. If your house is old, then the entire wiring of the bathroom will have to be changed, but with a modern home, you can just make modifications according to personal preferences. The average cost of major and minor electrical changes can be between $1500 and $4000 during bathroom renovations. The average cost of changing the plumbing system in a Canadian bathroom is $5,039, ranging from $125 to $61,040 based on the size of the bathroom and customer preferences. 

Legal Permits for Bathroom Renovation 

In many states of Canada, homeowners can undertake construction projects in their houses only after obtaining permits from the local authorities. This is done to maintain the safety standards of the Ontario Building Code, ensuring everyone’s safety and well-being.

No permit is required for renovations that don’t change the structure of your house.

This means replacing bathroom cabinets, countertops, flooring, tiles, hardware, or light fixtures will not require legal permits or documents. However, renovation changes involving demolition or addition of a door, wall, window, or any fixed-bathroom object like the sink and bath must be approved by the Building Code Services. The state’s respective agencies will have to review plumbing and electrical work. It is necessary to apply for a permit before starting your bathroom renovations, or you might be charged a penalty of $50,000. Even if the contractor fails to perform this duty of submitting permit slips, you will still be responsible for paying the fine and will have to redo all the changes after the demolition.

Shower Power Activate: Transform Your Bathroom to A Luxurious Spa

Many homeowners find bathroom renovations useless as they try to keep the doors closed and hidden away. However, the bathroom is often the first thing houseguests notice. Regardless of how spotless it is, an old-fashioned bathroom will always give a bad impression and ruin your mornings while getting ready.

Change it all with a dreamy bathroom renovation.

Make sure that your bathroom reflects your vibrant personality and is equally functional. Even a small bathroom can do wonders if it is properly renovated and remodelled. With a couple of modern features and tiny changes, your bathroom can easily become the spa of your dreams and a place where you can make a billion memories.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much should a bathroom renovation cost in Canada?

On average, a bathroom renovation costs between $4,587 and $9714 for a small to medium-sized bathroom and $17,000 for a large bathroom in Canada.

What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?

The most expensive part of a bathroom remodel will likely be big plumbing and electrical changes, followed by flooring and tile changes.

How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom in Vancouver?

The cost of renovating an existing bathroom in Vancouver will be somewhere around $11,401.

Are bathroom remodels worth it?

Bathroom remodels, unlike renovations, will change the bathroom's appearance and make it more modern and functional. It will alter how you start your day and make the space your favourite part of the house. So yes, bathroom remodelling is worth it despite being expensive.

How much does it cost to tile a bathroom in Toronto?

The tiling cost of any bathroom depends on various factors, such as its size, functional usage, and customer preferences. Based on the above-mentioned metrics, the average cost of a bathroom tiling renovation in Toronto can be between $350 and $27,000.