Cost guides › Bathroom remodel
Canada
Bathroom remodel cost
A full gut renovation of a 5 m² bathroom, converting the old tub to a walk-in shower, typically costs $20,000, with most mid-range jobs landing between $15,600 and $25,900 before GST/HST. A basic refresh with standard ceramic tile and fixtures runs about $14,700, while full-height tile, a stone floor and a rain shower push it toward $27,600.
Most homeowners pay
Estimate your project
Cost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $16,000 | $21,500 | $29,200 |
| Ontario | $14,800 | $20,100 | $27,700 |
| Alberta | $14,400 | $19,600 | $27,200 |
| British Columbia | $14,500 | $19,600 | $27,200 |
| Saskatchewan | $14,400 | $19,600 | $27,200 |
| Manitoba | $13,900 | $19,000 | $26,600 |
| Nova Scotia | $13,900 | $19,000 | $26,500 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $13,700 | $18,800 | $26,300 |
| New Brunswick | $13,300 | $18,300 | $25,800 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Demolition: old tub, toilet, sink and all wall and floor tile removed down to the subfloor, debris hauled away
- New hot and cold supply lines and drain lines inside the bathroom, with shut-off valves
- Tub removed and replaced by a walk-in shower with a low-profile shower base
- Waterproofing membrane on the whole floor and on the shower walls to about 2 m
- Porcelain tile (30 x 60 cm) on the floor and on the walls to about 2.2 m, walls levelled first
- New close-coupled toilet and a countertop or semi-recessed sink with a chrome faucet
- Concealed shower valve with slide bar, hand shower and anti-scale head
- Electrical: three light points, two receptacles and a sealed LED ceiling fixture
- Vanity with countertop and mirror, and a shower screen or enclosure, supplied and fitted
- Paint on the ceiling and the wall band above the tile
What affects the cost
Moving the plumbing
The estimate assumes fixtures stay roughly where they are and the main stack is kept. Moving the toilet to another wall means rerouting the drain through joists or a basement ceiling, which adds days of work and a larger plumbing bill.
Tile choice and coverage
Tile is where the price swings most. Plain ceramic to wainscot height is cheapest; large-format porcelain needs flatter walls and more careful setting, and full-height tile or stone adds a lot of tiling labour on the walls.
What's behind the walls
Rotted subfloor under an old tub, galvanized supply pipes, a cracked cast-iron drain or old wiring without ground-fault protection are common finds once the walls are open. Keep a contingency and ask the contractor to price likely repairs before starting.
Ventilation and cold exterior walls
A bathroom on an outside wall in a Canadian winter collects condensation fast, so a properly ducted exhaust fan matters. Replacing or adding a fan and running its duct to the outside is not in this estimate, and neither are heated floors.
Shower design
A standard shower base with a curb is the most economical option. A curbless or linear-drain shower, niches, a bench or frameless glass add material and labour; the estimate covers a standard screen or enclosure.
Access and location
An upstairs bathroom with tight stairs, or a condo where debris has to go down an elevator, costs more to demolish and supply. Condo boards may also restrict work hours, which stretches the schedule.
How to save
- Keep the toilet, sink and shower in their current positions so the drain lines don't have to move.
- Tile the walls to about 2.2 m and paint above, instead of tiling to the ceiling.
- Pick tile, fixtures and the vanity before demolition starts, so the crew isn't paid to wait on back-ordered items.
- If the tub and wall tile are sound, consider refinishing the tub and retiling only the floor instead of a full gut.
Grants, tax and rules
Licensed trades and permits
Electrical, gas and plumbing work needs licensed trades and usually a permit. A renovation that replaces supply and drain lines and adds circuits normally falls into that category, so ask whether the permit fee is in the quote.
GST/HST
GST/HST applies to renovation work. Our figures are before GST/HST, for example 13% HST in Ontario or 5% GST in Alberta.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renovate a small bathroom in Canada?
For a 5 m² bathroom gutted to the studs with a tub-to-shower conversion, expect around $20,000 before GST/HST. Keeping the existing layout and using standard ceramic tile brings it closer to $14,700.
Is converting a tub to a shower worth it?
For a bathroom used mostly by adults, a walk-in shower is easier to get in and out of, and the conversion is included in this estimate. If it is the only bathroom in the house, keeping a tub somewhere is often the safer choice for families and for resale.
Does the estimate include a vanity and shower glass?
Yes, a mid-range vanity with countertop and mirror and a standard shower screen or enclosure are included. Custom cabinetry or frameless glass cost more and would be priced on top.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A full gut renovation of a standard bathroom usually takes two to four weeks of work, plus time for permits and inspections. Waterproofing and tile setting need drying time that cannot be rushed.
Do I need a permit to renovate a bathroom?
Replacing tile and fixtures in the same spots may not need one in some municipalities, but new supply or drain lines and new electrical circuits usually do, and the work must be done by licensed trades. Check with your municipal building department before work starts.
Why do bathroom renovations cost so much per square metre?
A bathroom packs plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile and fixtures into a small room, and several trades have to visit in sequence. The fixed costs don't shrink with the floor area, so a small bathroom costs far more per square metre than a bedroom.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 80.2 · Labour: $9,007 · Materials: $10,948
Sources: Job Bank wages (Employment and Social Development Canada); Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.