Bathroom renovation cost ranges in Ontario
Bathroom renovation costs in Ontario vary more than kitchen costs because the spread between a basic refresh and a proper waterproofed gut is significant.
| Scope | Typical Ontario cost |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (vanity, fixture swap, paint) | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Main bath gut and rebuild (new shower, tile, vanity) | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Ensuite with custom tile shower | $15,000–$30,000 |
| Basement bathroom addition | $12,000–$22,000 |
| Accessible bathroom with curbless shower | $15,000–$35,000 |
The waterproofing layer is where cheap bathrooms fail
The most common problem we see in bathroom renovation callbacks — bathrooms that start leaking 2–5 years after a renovation — is inadequate waterproofing behind the tile. A shower surround needs a continuous waterproof membrane on the walls and floor before tile goes on. A bathtub deck needs a properly sloped, sealed pan. A shower niche needs waterproof corners.
A bathroom that was tiled directly onto cement board without a membrane is not a properly waterproofed bathroom, regardless of how nice the tile looks. The membrane is invisible once the tile is on, which is why some contractors skip or shortcut it.
What to ask any tile contractor
Ask what waterproofing system they use and where they apply it. A legitimate answer names the product (Schluter Kerdi, Wedi, RedGard, Laticrete Hydro Ban, or equivalent) and describes where it goes. 'We use cement board' is not a waterproofing answer.
What drives bathroom renovation cost
| Cost driver | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | $500–$1,500 |
| Waterproofing membrane | $800–$2,000 |
| Tile supply and installation (shower walls + floor) | $3,000–$10,000+ |
| Vanity + mirror + hardware | $1,000–$6,000 |
| Plumbing (rough-in + fixtures) | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Electrical (exhaust fan, lighting, heated floor) | $800–$3,000 |
| Glass shower enclosure | $1,200–$4,000 |
| Subfloor repair (often needed in older homes) | $500–$2,000 |
Bathroom addition vs. bathroom renovation: different costs
Adding a new bathroom (particularly a basement bathroom) involves running new plumbing — often requiring a rough-in for a below-floor drain, which means breaking concrete. This adds $3,000–$6,000 to the job compared to a renovation in an existing location.
Permits are required for most bathroom additions and for significant plumbing changes in existing bathrooms. A contractor who says permits are not required for a basement bathroom addition in Ontario is either wrong or intending to work unpermitted.
Rental and cottage bathroom renovations
In Wasaga Beach and the Blue Mountains corridor, we see a lot of bathroom renovations in rental properties and former cottages. These often need more structural work than they look like — compromised subfloors, inadequate ventilation, and wall assemblies that were never designed for year-round moisture loads.
For rental properties, the finish material choices matter as much as the waterproofing: large-format porcelain tile holds up better than smaller mosaic tile in high-turnover rentals; pressure-balance valves and solid brass fixtures reduce callback calls.
Get a written bathroom renovation quote
We quote bathroom renovations with a full line-item scope and fixed pricing. No surprise costs at the end — just the work we agreed to, done properly.