Renovation guide
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in the GTA?
By The Calico Designs and Renovations team · Updated
The short answer
As a starting guide, a bathroom renovation in the Greater Toronto Area costs about $12,000 to $20,000 for an essential update with fixtures in the same place, $20,000 to $35,000 for a mid-range rebuild with a custom shower, and $35,000 to $70,000 or more for a premium bathroom with a new layout. Moving fixtures, the type of shower, and the tile are the biggest factors. These are average market prices and can be lower or higher depending on your preferences.
The three price tiers
| Tier | Starting guide | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $12,000–$20,000 | New fixtures, tub or shower base with tiled walls, floor tile, fan, and paint, all in the same positions |
| Mid-range | $20,000–$35,000 | Rebuilt to the studs with a custom tiled shower, glass, quartz-topped vanity, and heated floor |
| Premium | $35,000–$70,000+ | New layout, relocated fixtures, curbless shower or freestanding tub, custom vanity, stone or large-format tile |
These are average market prices and can be lower or higher depending on your preferences.
These are per bathroom, and they are starting guides. Your exact price comes after a free consultation and site visit.
Where the money goes
Labour
A bathroom is small, but it is the most trade-heavy room in a house. A plumber, an electrician, a tile setter, and a finishing carpenter all work in it, one after another. Waterproofing, mortar, and grout each need time to cure before the next step. That sequence is why a bathroom costs far more per square foot than a bedroom.
The shower or tub
This is where the tiers separate most clearly.
- An acrylic tub or shower base with tiled walls is the economical route and performs well.
- A custom tiled shower has a mortar or foam base sloped to the drain, a full waterproofing system, a niche, and a glass enclosure measured and made after the tile is finished.
- A curbless shower needs the floor structure adjusted so the shower floor sits flush with the room.
- A freestanding tub needs floor-mounted or wall-mounted plumbing in exactly the right place.
Tile
Tile is priced twice: the material and the labour to set it. Small mosaics, herringbone and other patterns, and very large tiles all take longer than a standard format laid straight. Tiling every wall to the ceiling costs considerably more than tiling the wet areas only.
Moving fixtures
Relocating a sink is fairly simple. Relocating a toilet or shower means opening the floor to move a drain, and in a second-floor bathroom, working around the joists and the ceiling below. In a condo it is often not permitted at all. Moving fixtures also brings a building permit into the project.
Vanity and fixtures
A standard-size vanity with an integrated top costs a fraction of a custom vanity with a stone top and undermount sinks. Faucets, shower valves, and toilets range widely too; mid-range fixtures from established brands are usually the best value.
What is behind the walls
Bathrooms hide more than any other room: water damage under the tub, mould behind tile, corroded pipes, and undersized or unducted fans. A rebuild to the studs lets these be fixed properly. Keep a contingency for them, particularly in houses built before the 1970s.
What usually isn’t in a bathroom quote
Ask each contractor:
- Is the glass shower enclosure included?
- Are fixtures and tile included, or are they allowances?
- Is the permit fee included, if one is needed?
- Is electrical work, and the Electrical Safety Authority inspection, included?
- Is repair of the ceiling below included if plumbing is accessed from there?
How to set your budget
- Start with the layout. If it works, keep it. That choice alone can hold a project in the essential or mid-range tier.
- Spend on what you cannot see. Waterproofing, new supply lines and valves, and a proper fan are what make a bathroom last.
- Pick one feature. A custom shower, a heated floor, or a statement vanity. Trying to have all of them is what moves a bathroom up a tier.
- Tell the contractor the number. We work within the client’s budget, as long as it is realistic, and design from your inspiration photos.
You can ask for a 3D rendering of the bathroom before committing. In a small room it is the easiest way to see whether a tile pattern or a larger vanity is worth the money.
Next steps
Read more about our bathroom renovation service, or see what is specific to your city: Oakville, Mississauga, or Toronto. To find out whether your project needs a permit, see renovation permits in Ontario. When you are ready for a number, book a free consultation.
Quick answers
Why does a small bathroom cost so much to renovate?
A bathroom packs plumbing, electrical, ventilation, waterproofing, and tile into a few square metres, and each needs a skilled trade. The work is done in sequence with curing time between steps, so labour, not floor area, drives the cost.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?
Labour is usually the largest share, especially tile setting and plumbing. Among materials, a custom tiled shower with a glass enclosure is typically the costliest single element, followed by the vanity and top.
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a shower?
It depends on the shower. A prefabricated base with tiled walls sits near the essential tier, while a custom tiled, curbless shower with frameless glass belongs in the mid-range or premium tier. The drain usually has to be altered either way. Exact pricing follows a site visit.
How can I lower the cost of a bathroom renovation?
Keep the toilet, tub or shower, and vanity in their current positions, use a prefabricated shower base under tiled walls, choose a standard-size vanity, and pick a mid-priced porcelain tile in a simple layout.
Is a powder room cheaper than a full bathroom?
Yes. A powder room has no tub or shower, so it needs no waterproofed enclosure and far less tile. It is the least expensive bathroom to renovate.
About the author
The Calico Designs and Renovations team
Renovation contractor, Greater Toronto Area
Calico Designs and Renovations has renovated kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and commercial spaces across the Greater Toronto Area for 8 years. More about us.
This guide is general information for homeowners in Ontario, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and fees change; confirm the details for your address with your municipality.