Guide to Bathroom Renovation Costs & Estimates in Canada

Key insights for Bathroom Renovation Costs

• The average bathroom renovation cost in Canada is approximately $14,500, with most homeowners spending between $8,500 and $21,000.
• A basic bathroom refresh typically costs $5,000 to $10,000, while a master bathroom renovation can exceed $35,000.
• Labour from licensed plumbers and electricians generally ranges from $75 to $150 per hour.
• Bathroom renovation costs vary significantly depending on the room type, materials selected, and whether plumbing or electrical systems are relocated.
• Renovating a bathroom can improve home value, with many projects recovering 75% to 100% of their cost according to industry estimates.

In this guide, you’ll read about:

1. Average Bathroom Renovation Costs
2. Bathroom Renovation Cost Considerations
3. Renovating by Function
4. Plumbing and Electrical
5. Permits and Legal Requirements
6. Find a Bathroom Renovation Specialist on HomeStars
7. Explore Bathroom Remodelling Costs in Other Areas
8. FAQs About Bathroom Renovation Costs in Canada

Average Bathroom Renovation Costs

The size of your renovation will greatly affect the final price. Smaller updates to a standard bathroom typically fall between $5,000 and $10,000. Larger renovations and master baths generally start around $18,000 and can run considerably higher with custom finishes.

Project scope	Typical cost range
Basic fixture and tile update	$5,000 to $10,000
Mid-range full bathroom renovation	$10,000 to $18,000
Master bathroom renovation	$18,000 to $35,000+
Powder room renovation	$2,000 to $5,000

Labour costs tend to run $75 to $150 per hour for a licensed plumber or electrician.

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Bathroom renovation costs by project type

On average, most small bathrooms measure about 40 square feet and half-bathrooms are usually typically 15 to 25 square feet. For a small bathroom renovation, expect to spend an average of $4,200 on fixtures and an additional $110 per square foot on labour.

The following table shows typical costs for common bathroom renovation projects using mid-grade materials. For high-end or custom materials such as granite or stainless steel, costs can be two to three times higher.

Project	Typical cost range
Bathtub installation	$1,400 to $2,800
Countertop installation	$200 to $1,600
Flooring installation	$600 to $1,900
Lighting fixture installation	$280 to $480
Shower installation	$1,000 to $1,400
Sink installation	$430 to $730
Toilet installation	$630 to $1,350

Bathroom Renovation Cost Considerations

According to CIBC’s home renovations page, when you look at home renovations most likely to pay for themselves, kitchens and bathrooms rank at the top, citing insights from the Appraisal Institute of Canada. Both typically boost home value and deliver a return on investment between 75% and 100% of what you spent.

As with any home improvement project, your budget will largely determine the scope. Below are the costs associated with common bathroom renovation upgrades.

Shower and tub

The first question to ask before any bathroom renovation is whether you want a shower, a tub, or both.

• Households with young children may make better use of a tub, while older homeowners may prefer a simple shower.
• A basic shower head can cost as little as $25, and a higher-end model can cost $850 or more. Installation costs vary depending on features, but budget for the standard plumbing rate of $75 to $150 per hour.
• If you are renovating before a home sale, a mid-range shower is usually the better investment. Buyers can always upgrade later.

A bathtub installation costs approximately $1,400 to $2,800, including labour and disposal. A shower installation typically runs $1,000 to $1,400 for a mid-range unit.

Note: These costs apply to replacement tubs and showers where plumbing and supports are already in place.

Tile

Tiles can have a big visual impact on a bathroom renovation. Different colours and shapes can make your shower stand out, while matching shower and floor tile creates a continuous, cohesive look.

• Natural stone such as slate or marble is popular but check porosity before using it in a shower. Some stone types require significant maintenance or may not be suitable for wet areas. Ceramic, porcelain, marble, and granite are all common alternatives.
• For shower floors, use tiles no larger than 6 inches. Tiles need to be angled toward the drain, and grout between them adds slip resistance.

For a 53 square foot area, professional tiling costs approximately $1,000 to $1,400, including labour.

Toilet and sink fixtures

Updating your toilet and sink is one of the easier upgrades with a noticeable impact. Most homeowners supply the toilet and hire a pro for installation.

• Make sure any new fixtures complement the rest of the bathroom.
• Toilets and sinks now come in many styles, and most current models are high-efficiency. Whether you are staying or selling, high-efficiency plumbing reduces utility bills over time.

Standard toilets cost between $150 and $400. Installation runs $300 to $600, including removal and disposal of the old unit. A bathroom sink installation costs approximately $450 to $750.

Towel racks and cabinetry

These items are often overlooked when planning a bathroom renovation. Cabinet hardware such as hinges and handles can finish off the space and should match the style and finish of the sinks, towel racks, and shower hardware. Basic towel bars start at a few dollars; designer hardware can exceed $100 per piece.

Flooring

Bathroom flooring costs stay relatively low given the small square footage, though material choice still affects the total. You will also need to factor in removal of the existing floor.

• Linoleum: $7 to $12 per sq ft, waterproof and resistant to spills. Let it acclimate to the room before installation, as it expands and contracts.
• Marble: $22 to $30 per sq ft, requires professional installation and regular maintenance to prevent cracks and staining.
• Ceramic: $3 to $6 per sq ft, durable and easy to clean, though colour can vary between lots.
• Porcelain: $9 to $15 per sq ft, a durable sub-type of ceramic that requires a special setting compound due to low porosity.

Renovating by Function

When planning your renovation, consider the room's function. The function determines what type of finishes you will install.

Powder room renovation

A powder room is a main-floor half-bath intended for guests, with a sink and toilet but no shower or tub. These bathrooms are typically 15 to 25 square feet. The average cost for a powder room renovation is around $2,000 to $5,000.

Guest bathroom

A guest bathroom is typically a private three-quarter or full bath used primarily by overnight guests. Mid-range renovations cost approximately $200 per square foot. There are no special considerations beyond personal preference for fixtures and finishes.

Master bathroom

A master bathroom is often the most expensive renovation because it can be a focal point when selling your home. Budget around $300 to $400 per square foot for custom fixtures. A large portion of the budget typically goes toward increasing the size of the bathroom, which requires moving walls, electrical, and plumbing, and may involve engineering and architectural input.

Kids' bathroom

A kids' bathroom renovation focuses on durability and function. A standard tub-and-surround setup with durable ceramic tile and basic fixtures typically runs between $8,000 and $14,000. Scratch-resistant surfaces and easy-clean grout hold up better over time than premium materials requiring more maintenance.

Plumbing and Electrical

When renovating your bathroom, working around existing plumbing and electrical layouts keeps costs down. Any changes to internal electrical or plumbing systems require permits and licensed contractors. Moving plumbing is less disruptive when there is a basement or crawlspace below, since drain lines can often be rerouted without opening finished walls.

Electrical work in a bathroom is subject to specific code requirements around GFCI outlets, lighting circuits, and exhaust fans. Budget $500 to $2,000 for electrical updates in a standard renovation, depending on scope.

Permits and Legal Requirements

Most bathroom renovations involving changes to plumbing or electrical systems require permits. Cosmetic work such as replacing tile or fixtures without moving anything generally does not. If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, ask your contractor before work begins: unpermitted work can create complications at resale.

Common permit costs:

• Plumbing alterations: $150 to $400
• Electrical work beyond like-for-like replacement: $100 to $350
• Structural changes such as moving a wall: $200 to $800

Whether you are renovating to increase home value or improve daily life, planning carefully and consulting a pro from the start makes a real difference.

Find bathroom renovation pros on HomeStars

Find a Bathroom Renovation Specialist on HomeStars

HomeStars connects you with bathroom renovation pros in your area so you can read reviews from other homeowners, compare approaches, and make an informed decision before any work begins. Post your project for free, describe what you are looking to change, and let interested pros come to you with their assessments and quotes.

Post your bathroom renovation project on HomeStars

Explore Bathroom Remodelling Costs in Other Areas

HomeStars has prepared cost guides for bathroom renovation costs by city:

• Bathroom renovation cost in Toronto
• Bathroom renovation cost in Calgary
• Bathroom renovation cost in Edmonton
• Bathroom renovation cost in Ottawa
• Bathroom renovation cost in Vancouver
• Bathroom renovation cost in Hamilton
• Bathroom renovation cost in Barrie
• Bathroom renovation cost in Oshawa

FAQs About Bathroom Renovation Costs in Canada

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

A standard full bathroom renovation takes between two and three weeks once work begins, assuming there are no surprises inside the walls. A powder room refresh can be done in three to five days. Projects that involve relocating plumbing or structural changes generally run four weeks or longer. HomeStars pros typically provide a timeline estimate with their quote.

Does the age of my home affect bathroom renovation costs?

Older homes, particularly those built before the 1980s, often have galvanized steel pipes that need replacing before new fixtures can be installed properly. Knob-and-tube wiring is another common find in pre-war homes that requires an electrician to address before bathroom work can proceed. Neither issue is visible until walls are opened, so building a contingency of 10% to 15% into your budget is worth doing if your home is more than 40 years old.

Can I do any of the work myself to reduce costs?

Painting, installing hardware, and some demolition are reasonable DIY contributions. Plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed contractors in Canada regardless of skill level, since unpermitted work can void insurance and create problems at resale. Focus DIY effort on tasks that do not require a permit or inspection.

How do I know if a bathroom renovation quote is reasonable?

The best way to assess a quote is to get at least three from different pros and compare not just the total but what each one includes: labour, materials, disposal, and permits. A quote that comes in significantly lower than the others often excludes something. You can find bathroom renovation pros on HomeStars, read reviews from other homeowners, and compare quotes before committing to anyone.