How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Bathroom in Toronto?
The short answer is that it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $70,000+ to renovate a bathroom in Toronto, but this price range is too broad to be very helpful. The low price of $2,000 represents the starting cost of a small powder room refresh that doesn’t include plumbing in any new fixtures. The upper limit would apply to the largest and most luxurious water closets.
At the same time, the average 3-piece bathroom in a Toronto household will cost $17,000 to $25,000 to renovate. This translates broadly into a range of $100-$200 per square foot. However, the size of the room and the quality of the materials and fixtures used can influence the cost greatly, as can the type and age of the home. Pricing is fairly consistent across the region: renovation contractors in the Hamilton area quote a similar $15,000–$35,000 range for a typical GTA bathroom. “How much to renovate a bathroom in Toronto?” isn’t an easy question to answer. A professional renovation company needs first to understand all of these factors, and only then can it provide you with an accurate quote for your remodel.
We can, however, offer you the following averages, based on our years of experience renovating bathrooms in the Greater Toronto Area:
Average Cost by Bathroom Renovation Type
| Bathroom Renovation Type | Size (square feet) | Average Cost | Working Weeks |
| Powder room refresh | 12-30 | $2,000-$10,000 | 1-2 |
| Small bathroom renovation | 30-50 | $12,000-$20,000 | 2-3 |
| Standard bathroom renovation | 50-100 | $15,000-$30,000 | 3-6 |
| Large bathroom renovation | 100-150 | $19,000-$42,000 | 4-6 |
| Spa-style / Luxury bathroom renovation | 100-150 | $32,000-$70,000 | 4-6 |
Powder Room Refresh (Average price range: $2,000-$10,000)
A powder room is just another name for a very small bathroom or half-bath, one that usually includes only a toilet, a sink, and a vanity, and a refresh is simply a way to modernize the space. Powder rooms start at the lower end of bathroom renovation cost ranges because the work often focuses on cosmetic updates like paint, wallpaper, hardware, lighting, and plumbing fixtures rather than major construction. Generally, contractors call this kind of job a refresh and not a full bathroom renovation if it avoids electrical work, custom tile, and changes to the existing plumbing.
Small to Large Bathroom Renovation (Average price range: $12,000-$42,000)
A bathroom renovation, as opposed to a refresh, can include moderate remodelling up to major demolition work. A full bathroom renovation may involve gutting the room completely, especially in older homes where knob and tube wiring, outdated bathroom walls, or failing systems need attention. A smaller bathroom, also known as a 3/4 bathroom, may include only three fixtures: a sink, a toilet, and either a tub or a shower. A larger bathroom, or full bathroom, will have a sink, toilet, tub, and separate shower, while some Toronto homeowners may also want a double vanity or custom cabinetry.
Most bathroom renovations in this category include waterproofing wet areas, replacing outdated finishes, and handling plumbing relocations when the renovation involves moving plumbing. A typical bathroom renovation may also include new flooring, feature walls, upgraded plumbing fixtures, electrical work, and a tub to shower conversion if the existing layout functions poorly. Average bathroom renovation costs vary based on material costs, permit fees, inspection fees, and whether a shower drain, existing plumbing, or structural elements need to be moved to meet the Ontario Building Code.
Spa-style / Luxury Bathroom Renovation (Average price range: $32,000-$70,000)
In luxury renovations, all of the same changes can be made, but with first-class materials and the latest technology to make the bathroom as efficient and appealing as possible. These spaces often use natural stone, premium fixtures, glass doors, custom tile, and custom cabinetry to create a more elevated feel. Luxury bathrooms focus on ambiance through layered lighting, clean design lines, and higher-end surfaces, while a well executed bathroom renovation can also include heated floors, smart features, and detailed finish work that adds comfort throughout the renovation journey.
Accessible Bathrooms (Average price range: $15,500-$45,000)
If you need to renovate a bathroom for accessibility, refitting it with safety fixtures and ensuring step-free access to the room and shower, you’ll need to budget higher than you would for a regular bathroom renovation. Wheelchair access can require structural changes, including widening the door, providing more space to turn around, and lowering vanities to an accessible height. A curbless shower, non-slip tile, grab bars, and updated plumbing fixtures all represent additional costs as well. To renovate a bathroom and make it accessible, you’ll need to add 30-50% to a regular renovation quote, so a small accessible bathroom may cost $15,500-$30,000, and a standard accessible bathroom will normally cost between $25,000 and $45,000, depending on the layout and finish level.
Condo Bathrooms (Average price range: $12,000-$25,000)
A bathroom in a Toronto condo will cost more to renovate than one in a private home, even for the same size of room and the same level of finish. This is due to the extra costs associated with condo renovations and is largely beyond the control of your contractor or renovation specialist.
Work in condos requires contractors to hold at least $2 million in liability insurance, as well as up-to-date WSIB clearance. Condo boards typically require a board approval package before construction can begin, and that package usually includes drawings, schedules, and proof of insurance. Approval can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks, and contractors also need to account for elevator bookings, waste removal, permit fees, and restricted working hours. These added requirements can affect average bathroom renovation costs even when the scope is similar to a project in a freehold home.
The average cost for a condo bathroom renovation in Toronto is around $12,000-$25,000. However, larger bathrooms, premium fixtures, and more complex permit requirements can push costs much higher. For a bathroom renovation in a condo, expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 more than you would in a freehold house.
Toronto Bathroom Cost Breakdown
Where does the money go when you pay for a bathroom renovation? For most renovation projects, labour can easily represent half or more of the project cost, because of all the different trades that need to be engaged to complete these complicated remodels. Materials normally account for 35-45% of project costs.
Taking $21,000 as an average standard-sized bathroom renovation budget, here’s how costs break down:
| Cost Type | % of Budget | Cost Range |
| Labour (concrete, carpentry, tiling, plumbing, electrical, painting) | 50-55% | $10,500-$11,550 |
| Materials (construction materials, tile, cabinets and vanity, lights, fixtures, hardware) | 35-45% | $7,350-$9,450 |
| Management (design, project management, waste disposal, permits, contingencies) | 5-15% | $1,050-$3,150 |
For a luxury project using high-tech fixtures and premium materials, labour costs are still high, but materials make up an increased portion of the budget. Taking a $55,000 luxury bathroom renovation as an example, here’s where the money would go:
| Cost Type | % of Budget | Cost Range |
| Labour | 40-55% | $22,000-$30,250 |
| Materials | 40-55% | $22,000-$30,250 |
| Management | 5-15% | $2,750-$8,250 |
What Are the Main Factors that Can Affect Your Bathroom Renovation Budget?
When you plan your bathroom renovation project, you almost invariably need to balance your hopes and dreams with a budget you can reasonably afford. While the main work of replacing fixtures and re-tiling floors and walls is necessary and unavoidable in nearly all bathroom remodelling projects, other factors can cause your budget to quickly balloon. While some are optional, others are, unfortunately, related to the type and age of your home and have to be accounted for. The main factors that can swell bathroom renovation budgets include:
Choosing Premium Materials and Custom Features
Like all Torontonians, you want your bathroom to look clean, comfortable, and welcoming. This can certainly be achieved using mid-range materials, including regular prefabricated fixtures, ceramic tile or vinyl flooring, and basic lighting fixtures. However, choosing premium materials like real stone and wood can greatly increase your costs. Installing high-technology items like smart toilets, whirlpool tubs, steam showers, underfloor heating, and app-controlled lighting produces a more comfortable, luxury bathroom experience but comes at a cost. If you want special items like floating cabinets, custom sinks, or a one-of-a-kind tub, expect to pay a premium price.
Tiling Labour
All clients want their tiling work to be perfect, with smooth and level installation, perfect drainage slopes, and precise, consistent joints. Basic tiling work can be done quickly and easily, but when you start to add complicated design features, time and labour costs increase quickly. Seamless floor-to-ceiling tiles are heavy and require precise installation. Herringbone pattern tiling and custom niches require a lot of additional work and can add hundreds or even thousands to your budget.
Permits
Obtaining building permits adds both time and money to any bathroom renovation project, but these permits should always be acquired if they’re necessary. While cosmetic changes like installing new tiles or replacing a sink generally don’t require permits. However, if you’re going to relocate plumbing lines, install new electrical circuits, modify walls or structural supports, or change the size of doors and windows, you’ll generally need a City of Toronto Building Permit. Heritage Alteration Permits may also be necessary in neighbourhoods like Forest Hill and Rosedale if any of the changes you’ll make to your bathroom cause exterior changes, like replacing windows or expanding outward from the main structure of your house. Basic permits cost $11.53 per square meter (interior renovations) with a minimum of $214.79 and can take up to three weeks to process.
Older Homes
Another concern in heritage neighbourhoods like Rosedale, The Annex, Cabbagetown, Forest Hill, Davisville, and Leaside is building codes. Many of these character homes were constructed over 100 years ago and were built to standards that are no longer considered safe in 2026.
If your home hasn’t been fully renovated and brought up to code in the past, remodelling your bathroom can uncover electrical and plumbing issues that will need to be resolved. Ungrounded knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring and 60-Amp electrical panels are not considered safe and will need to be replaced. Discovering clay weeping tile, galvanized steel pipes, and lead supply lines will increase your plumbing costs, while poor insulation, inadequate vapor barriers, and the discovery of asbestos will necessitate extra work in your walls.
These old building systems are ‘grandfathered in’ only if left alone – once you uncover them during a bathroom renovation, however, you’re obligated to bring them up to current building codes. Replacing wiring can cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Replacing old pipes can add $15,000 to $4,000 to your budget.
Bathroom Expansion
Many homeowners are unsatisfied with the size of their bathrooms, particularly if they were built in older houses, which placed less importance on these rooms. Others need to increase the size of their bathrooms for accessibility reasons. In either case, the structural work needed to create a bigger bathroom is going to have a serious impact on project costs, so that expanding, for example, a 30 square foot space into a 50 square foot bathroom is going to cost more than simply renovating an existing 50 square foot bathroom.
The extra costs involved in expanding a Toronto bathroom can include:
- Architect fees: $1200-$2400
- Structural engineering/reinforcement: $360-$850
- Running new plumbing: $420-$2400
- Running new electrical wiring: $600-$3000
- Framing: $600-$1800
- Drywall and insulation: $1200-$3000
Renovation Timelines
While the length of time it takes to remodel your bathroom will depend largely on the size and complexity of the work, most Toronto bathroom renovation projects require the following steps:
Planning, design, sourcing, and permits: Working with an expert, you’ll finalize the design of your bathroom and choose the materials and fixtures you want. Custom or premium materials may take up to eight weeks of lead time to source. Permits can require up to three weeks to acquire.
Demolition: Minimal materials like old tile can be removed quickly. It can take up to three or four days to fully gut a bathroom for a rebuild and haul away the demolition material.
Framing, plumbing rough-in, wiring, and inspection: New walls, plumbing lines, ventilation, and electrical circuits can take one or two weeks to complete. And another day or two for City of Toronto Building Inspectors to approve these changes.
Waterproofing and insulation: Waterproof membranes, vapor barriers, and waterproof backing boards, as well as wall insulation, should take no more than a week to install.
Tiling and flooring: Under-floor heating pads, if used, must be installed before flooring and wall tiling can be completed. This can take one to two weeks.
Cabinetry and plumbing-in features: Cabinets, vanity countertops, sinks, and toilets normally take a week or less to install.
Finishing and walkthrough: Final caulking, painting, and wallpapering can take several days to complete. You’ll also need to schedule a walkthrough with your contractor to ensure that the job is finished to your satisfaction.
Design and material sourcing lead time can take anywhere from two to eight weeks. Construction should be completed in two to six weeks, depending on the size and complexity of your bathroom renovation.
How to Save Money on Bathroom Renovations in Toronto in 2026
Many homeowners looking to upgrade their Toronto bathrooms are hit with contractor quotes that are far higher than they budgeted for or simply beyond their means. While luxury bathroom renovations can top out at $70,000 or more, this doesn’t mean that a beautiful new bathroom is out of reach for the average homeowner. If you want to get the bathroom of your dreams within your limited budget, these tips will help you keep your costs reasonably low:
Work with a professional contractor: While you might be tempted to manage multiple trades yourself, this will not only cost you time but may also cost more money than you’d expect. Tradespeople charge higher rates for small jobs, but give favourable rates to contractors who can provide them with steady work. This means that you may have to pay premium rates to manage the work yourself. In addition, unless you’re highly experienced with bathroom renovations and Toronto building codes, you could find yourself making mistakes that will cost you lots more money to repair later.
Keep fixtures where they are: Moving plumbing lines or rerouting electrical lines adds additional cost for both labour and permits. As long as the design is functional, keep your lights, showers, sinks, and toilets in place and simply update the fixtures.
Choose off-the-shelf materials: Custom furniture and fixtures can help to create bespoke spaces, but they add piles to your final budget. Premium materials like real stone and wood come with big price tags. Choosing basic porcelain tile instead of stone, laminate flooring instead of wood, and factory-produced sinks, tubs, and toilets will help keep costs down.
Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
Many renovations of GTA bathrooms fail when homeowners cut corners. Some of the critical renovation errors to avoid at all costs include:
Doing it yourself (DIY): While you can save money by doing basic finishing work like painting your own walls, most other work requires professional skills. While labour can be expensive, doing it yourself can lead to mistakes and material wastage, and the cost of buying or renting specialized tools usually isn’t worth it.
Skipping permits: Permits can cost hundreds of dollars and take weeks to obtain, so you may be tempted to skip them. Don’t. If you have a leak in the future and your insurance company finds out that your renovation work wasn’t permitted, you’ll likely forfeit your coverage. You also have to disclose unpermitted work if you sell your house, and this can affect your whole deal.
Not analysing your quote: Choosing the cheapest quote might end up being the best option, but not if you don’t carefully check what it includes. Some contractors don’t make it clear that they don’t handle your permits for you and charge extra for hauling waste or rerouting your plumbing. Other quotes give insufficient allowances for materials, so that you’re charged more when materials exceed those allowances. Make sure you read the quote carefully and get all of your questions answered so you know exactly what you’re going to get for your money.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Most homeowners look at bathroom renovations as a liability. In actuality, however, they can normally be viewed as an asset. Not only do you get to experience the daily pleasure of owning a clean and comfortable new bathroom, but you can also gain an unexpected return on your investment should you choose to put your home on the market.
A standard bathroom renovation costing up to around $30,000 can produce a return on investment (ROI) of about 60-75% of what you put into it. Larger or luxury bathrooms above this price return less, but still give you back 45-60% of your investment when you sell your home. Professionally renovated bathrooms also encourage buyers to make deals more quickly and make higher offers.
Renovate your Toronto Bathroom Today
If you’re ready to enhance your Toronto home and turn your old, tired bathroom into your own private oasis, get a free quote from Easy Reno today. Instead of struggling with design and trades management, we provide you with a dedicated project manager who supports you through the entire project. We work with certified, professional contractors and provide you with transparent up-front pricing, so you can rest easy, knowing that you’ll get a beautiful bathroom that will function safely and correctly while adding value to your home.
Toronto Bathroom Cost Frequently Asked Questions
How much to renovate my bathroom in Toronto?
The average bathroom renovation in a Toronto home costs $21,000. However, smaller bathrooms or purely cosmetic changes can reduce this price, while large, luxury remodels can run up to $70,000+.
How long does a bathroom renovation take in Toronto?
While it’s normal to spend at least two weeks planning the design and sourcing materials, the actual building work can take just one week for a cosmetic refresh or up to six weeks to gut and fully rebuild a large bathroom. On average, it should take two to three weeks to renovate a standard bathroom in a Toronto home.
Does Easy Reno work in Toronto-area condos?
Yes, we work in houses and condos all around the GTA. We carry the necessary insurance to work in condos and take great care to protect all shared spaces during construction periods. These jobs do, however, take a little longer and cost a little more because of the necessary board approval and restricted working hours involved in condo work.
