Overview: Bathroom Renovation Contractors
A bathroom is a small room full of water, and nearly everything that fails later is water in the wrong place. Tile and grout let some through. The real protection sits behind them: a membrane on the shower walls, a sloped pan below, and a sealed seam where the two meet.
Several licensed trades pass through this room. In Ontario, plumbing is a compulsory trade, and wiring goes to a licensed electrical contractor who files it with the Electrical Safety Authority. In Quebec, plumbing contractors are licensed through the CMMTQ. Toronto needs a permit for work that installs or changes plumbing, though swapping a fixture doesn't.
Winter sets a second trap. A fan that pushes warm, wet air into a cold attic leaves frost on the roof deck, and the frost drips back through the ceiling in a thaw. In a basement, the new drain may sit too low for gravity and need a pump. Ask to see the shower waterproofing before any tile covers it.
Our listings show what each company states on its own website, with ratings and quotes from public reviews. Use the province and city lists to find crews that take on bathrooms in your area.
Bathroom renovation costs in Canada
Compare the fixture count and work involved. A powder room, a full bathroom rebuild and a new basement bathroom need different budgets.
| Service | Planning budget | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Powder-room renovation | C$8,000–C$25,000per two-piece powder room | Replace the toilet, vanity, floor and wall finishes, mirror and lighting within the existing footprint.Existing fixture locations assumed. Specify fixture and finish allowances; moving drains, hidden damage and custom cabinetry increase the total.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Specified fixtures and finishes; Installation and ordinary removal work Budget separately or confirm: A bathtub or shower; Plumbing relocation and hidden damage |
| Full renovation with layout retained | C$17,000–C$35,000per standard main bathroom | Full renovation with one tub or shower, vanity and toilet; retain the room and plumbing locations.Compare the same fixture count and finish allowances. A cosmetic refresh that keeps the wet area is a smaller job.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Demolition, waterproofing and specified tile; Standard fixtures, installation and room finishes Budget separately or confirm: Room enlargement or plumbing relocation; Luxury ensuite features and hidden damage |
| Basic acrylic tub-to-shower conversion | C$3,500–C$5,500per completed conversion | Replace a standard alcove tub with an acrylic shower base and wall system, retaining the drain location.Check whether a shower door or curtain is included; a basic conversion package may leave that purchase separate.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Tub removal and standard acrylic base and walls; Basic faucet, installation and debris removal Budget separately or confirm: Glass enclosure and upgraded fixtures; Plumbing relocation, concealed repairs and condo access charges |
| New three-piece basement bathroom | C$8,000–C$18,000per bathroom added during basement finishing | Add a toilet, sink and shower with basic-to-midrange fixtures and straightforward drainage access.This assumes shared site setup during basement finishing. Price concrete cutting, drain changes and any pump separately before comparing totals.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Ordinary rough-in connections and fixtures; Bathroom framing, installation and finishes Budget separately or confirm: Major slab excavation, pump or stack relocation; The surrounding basement renovation |
What changes the price
- Keeping or moving drains and fixture locations
- Waterproofing, tile area and selected fixture allowances
- Hidden damage, slab work and condo access restrictions
Ask before accepting a quote
- Which fixture models, tile quantities and waterproofing work are included in the total?
- How much would keeping the existing plumbing locations save, and what is excluded from relocation work?
- For a basement bathroom, are slab cutting, drain connection, ventilation and any required pump priced explicitly?
Set the allowances before comparing totals
- List the toilet, vanity, tub or shower, tile and glass allowances. Replacing an allowance with your actual selection changes the price.
- Ask how concealed damage and changes are priced and approved before the additional work starts.
Canadian context
Confirm local building and trade-permit requirements; a renovation quote should identify who obtains and pays for required approvals.
Planning amounts in Canadian dollars. Published tax treatment varies; confirm applicable taxes and the final total in your written quote. Rows can be different services, alternative packages or separately priced extras. Add only work that is needed and not already included in your quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a tax credit for making a bathroom safer?
There can be, if the person living there is a senior or eligible for the disability tax credit. The Canada Revenue Agency's home accessibility credit covers permanent changes that help someone get into, move around or function in their home, or lower the risk of harm. Work done mainly to raise the home's value doesn't count, and neither do routine repairs. Keep the contract and every invoice in case the CRA asks.
Can the toilet or the shower drain be moved?
Usually, and the floor sets the price. Over a basement, the plumber runs the new drain between the joists. On a slab, concrete gets cut and patched. In a basement bathroom that sits below the sewer, you may need a pump. In Toronto, installing or altering plumbing needs a permit, so ask who applies before the floor comes up.
Does the bathroom exhaust fan have to vent outside?
Yes, and a cold attic makes it urgent. Moist air dumped there turns to frost on the underside of the roof. Run the duct short and straight to a wall or roof cap, wrap it in insulation the whole way, and fit a damper so cold air can't flow back in. A humidity switch keeps the fan running after the shower stops.
Does the plumber on my job need a licence?
In Ontario and Quebec, yes. Plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario, so the person doing the work needs a certificate of qualification or must be a registered apprentice. Skilled Trades Ontario keeps a public register you can search. In Quebec, the plumbing contractor needs a licence issued through the CMMTQ, and the RBQ's directory shows it.
Should I plan for grab bars while the wall is open?
Yes, even if nobody needs one yet. Blocking is solid wood fixed between the studs so a bar screws into something that holds. It costs almost nothing while the wall is open. Put it beside the toilet, inside the shower and along the tub. Bars anchored only to tile and drywall pull out under a person's weight.
