Bathroom Renovation Cost Ontario 2026: Real Prices

What Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Ontario?

The price depends almost entirely on scope. A cosmetic refresh and a full gut renovation are completely different projects with completely different budgets. Here is the realistic range for each type of bathroom project in Ontario. Use our cost calculator to get a quick estimate for your specific project.[1][5]

By Bathroom Type

• Powder room (half-bath): $3,000 to $12,000
• Full bathroom: $12,000 to $30,000
• Primary ensuite: $25,000 to $40,000
• Luxury / high-end: up to $70,000
• GTA average: $15,000 to $40,000

By Renovation Tier

Understanding which tier your project falls into helps set realistic expectations before you even talk to a contractor.[2]

• Cosmetic ($3,000 to $12,000): New vanity, faucet, paint, mirror, and hardware. You keep the existing layout and plumbing locations. No permits needed. This is the fastest, simplest upgrade at 1 to 2 weeks.
• Mid-range ($12,000 to $30,000): New tub or shower, tile, vanity, toilet, flooring, and lighting. Plumbing stays in the same locations, so permit requirements are minimal. Expect 3 to 5 weeks.
• High-end ($25,000 to $70,000): Walk-in shower, heated floors, custom vanity, premium tile, relocated plumbing, or a freestanding tub. This tier almost always requires plumbing and electrical permits. Timeline runs 5 to 8 weeks.

Tile Costs

Tile is usually the single largest line item in a bathroom renovation, and the range is enormous. Material cost is only half the equation; labour adds $8 to $15 per square foot on top.[3][8]

• Ceramic: $8 to $15/sqft (materials)
• Porcelain: $10 to $20/sqft
• Large format: $15 to $25/sqft
• Natural stone (marble, slate): $20 to $40/sqft
• Installation labour: $8 to $15/sqft additional

For a standard 40 square foot shower surround using porcelain tile, you are looking at roughly $720 to $1,400 for materials and labour combined. Choose natural stone for the same area and that jumps to $1,120 to $2,200.

Walk-in Shower Costs

Walk-in showers have become the default for mid-range and high-end renovations, replacing the tub-shower combo in many Ontario homes. Pricing depends on how custom you go.[2][7]

• Tiled walk-in shower: $5,000 to $10,000 (including labour, waterproofing, and tile)
• Glass enclosure: $1,500 to $4,000 (frameless on the higher end)
• Curbless / wheelchair-accessible shower: $8,000 to $15,000 (requires custom floor drain work and linear drain installation)

If you are thinking about aging in place, a curbless shower is worth considering even if you do not need it yet. Building it into the original renovation costs a fraction of retrofitting later, and it is increasingly popular with buyers at resale.

Vanity Costs

Vanities range from off-the-shelf stock units to fully custom builds. The countertop, sink, and faucet are usually included in the higher tiers but priced separately at the stock level.[1][4]

• Stock vanity: $500 to $1,500
• Semi-custom: $1,500 to $4,000
• Custom built: $4,000 to $10,000+
• Double vanity: add 50 to 80% to any of the above

A stock vanity from a big-box store can look perfectly fine in a standard bathroom. Where custom starts making sense is in primary ensuites where you want specific dimensions, materials, or an integrated look that ties into the tile and shower design.

Bathtub Costs

Whether you keep a tub or convert to a shower-only setup is one of the biggest decisions in a bathroom renovation. If you have only one bathroom, most real estate professionals recommend keeping at least one tub in the home.[5]

• Alcove tub (standard): $800 to $2,000 installed
• Freestanding soaker tub: $2,000 to $6,000
• Tub-to-shower conversion: $3,000 to $8,000

Toilet Costs

Toilets are a relatively small part of the budget but vary more than people expect. Dual-flush models are increasingly standard in Ontario due to water conservation awareness.[6]

• Standard: $300 to $600 installed
• Dual-flush: $400 to $700
• Wall-mounted: $1,200 to $2,500 (includes in-wall carrier)
• Bidet seat add-on: $300 to $800

Wall-mounted toilets look sleek and make floor cleaning easier, but the in-wall carrier system adds significant cost and complexity. They are most common in high-end and condo renovations.

Heated Bathroom Floor Costs

Electric radiant floor heating is one of the more affordable comfort upgrades and a favourite add-on in Ontario bathroom renovations. The mats install under tile and connect to a wall thermostat.[3][7]

• Electric mat system: $8 to $15/sqft installed
• Average bathroom (50 sqft): $400 to $750 total
• Monthly operating cost: roughly $5 to $10 during heating season

The key is to install heated floors at the same time as your tile. Retrofitting means tearing up the floor you just paid for. If there is any chance you want them, include them in the original scope.

Other Costs to Budget For

Several line items catch homeowners off guard because they are not the glamorous parts of the project. Build them into your budget from the start.[2][6]

• Demolition: $500 to $1,500 (gut demo of an existing bathroom including disposal)
• Plumbing upgrades: $700 to $3,000 (common in older homes with galvanized or lead supply lines)
• New plumbing rough-in: $3,000 to $5,000 (adding a bathroom where none existed)
• Exhaust ventilation: $200 to $600 (required by OBC in bathrooms without an operable window; minimum 50 CFM, vented to exterior)
• GFCI outlets: $150 to $300 per outlet (required by code in wet areas)

Condo Bathroom Renovations: The 10 to 20% Premium

If you are renovating a condo bathroom in Ontario, budget 10 to 20% above the freehold prices listed here. The extra cost comes from several condo-specific realities.[4][7]

• Building permits: Most condo corporations require a separate building permit on top of any municipal permits.
• Access restrictions: Contractors may need to book service elevators and work within restricted hours.
• Noise bylaws: Many buildings limit construction to weekdays 9 AM to 5 PM, which stretches the timeline.
• Insurance and deposits: Some buildings require contractor liability certificates and refundable deposits.
• Timeline: Add 1 to 2 weeks for building approvals before work can start.

Permits and Ontario Building Code Requirements

Not every bathroom renovation needs a permit, but many do. Here is when you will need one and what the OBC requires.[6]

• Moving or adding plumbing: Plumbing permit required from your municipality.
• New electrical circuits: ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) permit required. This includes adding dedicated circuits for heated floors or new lighting.
• Exhaust ventilation: The OBC requires a mechanical exhaust fan in any bathroom without an operable window. Minimum rating of 50 CFM, and it must vent directly to the exterior (not into the attic or soffit).
• GFCI protection: All outlets within 1.5 metres of a water source must be GFCI protected.
• Cosmetic-only work: Painting, replacing a vanity in the same location, swapping a faucet, or installing new hardware does not require a permit.

How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?

Timeline varies by scope, but here are realistic expectations for Ontario contractors. These assume no major surprises behind the walls.[1][5]

• Cosmetic refresh: 1 to 2 weeks
• Mid-range renovation: 3 to 5 weeks
• Full gut renovation: 5 to 8 weeks
• Condo projects: Add 1 to 2 weeks for building approvals and scheduling

The most common cause of delays is not the contractor; it is tile and vanity lead times. Custom or imported tile can take 4 to 8 weeks to arrive. Order materials before demolition starts.

Accessibility and Aging-in-Place Upgrades

Ontario's population is aging, and bathroom accessibility upgrades are one of the fastest-growing segments of the renovation market. Building these features into a renovation from day one is dramatically cheaper than retrofitting.[5]

• Curbless walk-in shower: $8,000 to $15,000 (the single most impactful accessibility feature)
• Grab bars: $200 to $500 installed (blocking must be added behind drywall during renovation)
• Comfort-height toilet: $400 to $700 (standard ADA height, easier to use for anyone with mobility limitations)
• Non-slip tile flooring: Minimal cost premium over standard tile; just specify a higher coefficient of friction rating
• Wider doorway:$300 to $800 to widen from a standard 24" to 32" or 36"
• Handheld showerhead on slide bar: $150 to $400

Even if you do not need these features today, adding blocking behind the walls for future grab bars costs almost nothing during a renovation. It is one of the smartest things you can do while the walls are open.

Where to Save (and Where Not To)

There are smart places to cut costs and places where saving a few hundred dollars will cost you thousands later.

Good Places to Save

• Keep plumbing in place: Moving a toilet or shower drain 3 feet across the room can add $2,000 to $5,000. If you can live with the existing layout, do it.
• Stock vanity over custom: The quality gap between a $1,200 stock vanity and a $4,000 custom unit is smaller than you think, especially for secondary bathrooms.
• Porcelain over natural stone: Modern porcelain tile convincingly mimics marble and slate at half the cost and with less maintenance.
• Standard tub over freestanding: If you need a tub, an alcove model at $800 to $2,000 does the job for a fraction of a freestanding soaker.

Do Not Cut Corners On

• Waterproofing: Proper shower membrane and waterproofing is non-negotiable. A leak behind the wall causes mould and structural damage that will cost far more than the renovation itself.
• Plumbing in older homes: If your supply lines are galvanized steel or (in very old homes) lead, replacing them during a renovation is the right time. The $700 to $3,000 cost is a fraction of what it would be as a standalone project. If your water heater is also aging, bundling the replacement saves on plumbing labour.
• Ventilation: A properly vented exhaust fan prevents moisture damage, mould growth, and paint peeling. This is both a code requirement and a practical necessity.

Related Guides

Planning a larger renovation or exploring other home improvement costs? These guides cover related projects.

• Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost Ontario (relevant if your panel cannot support new bathroom circuits)
• Attic Insulation Cost Ontario (another high-impact renovation with strong ROI)
• Water Softener Cost Ontario (hard water affects fixtures, tile, and glass enclosures)
• Plumbing Costs Ontario (full plumbing pricing if your bathroom needs pipe work)
• Basement Renovation Cost Ontario (adding a bathroom to a basement finish)
• Flooring Cost Ontario (full flooring pricing beyond the bathroom)

Frequently Asked Questions