Most standard full bathroom renovations in Toronto cost about $17,000 to $30,000 in 2026. That covers a typical main bathroom taken down to the studs and rebuilt in its existing layout, with new waterproofing, tile, a tub or shower, a vanity, a toilet and mid-range fixtures. A cosmetic refresh can cost far less. A custom ensuite with layout changes and premium finishes can cost two or three times as much.
What Toronto homeowners pay for a bathroom renovation often depends more on the scope of work than the size of the room. The biggest factors are whether plumbing moves, what condition the walls and floor are in once the old finishes come out, and which materials you choose. This guide covers typical price ranges, what a full renovation involves, what moves a budget up or down, timelines, permits and how to get an estimate you can rely on.
Average Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto in 2026
Bathroom renovation costs in Toronto vary depending on the size of the space, the scope of work, and the materials and finishes selected. The table below provides typical price ranges for different renovation levels to help homeowners plan their budgets. Actual costs depend on the specific requirements and condition of each bathroom.
| Renovation level | Typical total cost (CAD) | What it usually involves |
|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh | About $5,000 to $15,000 | Existing tub, tile and layout stay. New vanity, toilet, faucets, lighting, mirror, accessories and paint. |
| Standard full renovation | About $17,000 to $30,000 | Room taken down to the studs, same layout. New waterproofing, floor and wall tile, tub or shower, vanity, toilet, exhaust fan and standard fixtures. |
| Mid-range renovation | About $25,000 to $40,000 | Full renovation with upgraded tile, a tiled walk-in shower with glass, better fixtures and more storage. |
| High-end renovation | About $35,000 to $60,000 | Premium tile or stone, custom vanity, frameless glass, heated floor, upgraded lighting and often some layout changes. |
| Luxury renovation | From about $55,000; large ensuites can exceed $90,000 | Custom design, natural stone, steam shower or curbless wet room, freestanding tub, major plumbing changes and specialty features. |
The levels overlap, and the line between them has little to do with square footage. It depends on how much of the room is rebuilt, whether fixtures move and how much is custom-made rather than ordered from stock. A standard renovation with a heated floor and custom glass can move into the mid-range bracket with nothing else changing, and two bathrooms of the same size can sit at opposite ends of a range.
Bathroom Renovation Cost by Project Type
The levels above describe how much work is done. The type of bathroom matters too, because each one comes with its own challenges.
Small Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto
Many Toronto semis, bungalows and older detached houses have compact main bathrooms, often around 5 by 8 feet, plus a powder room. A two-piece powder room typically costs about $5,000 to $15,000. A small three-piece bathroom renovated down to the studs usually costs about $15,000 to $25,000.
A smaller room does not mean a proportionally smaller bill. A 40-square-foot bathroom goes through the same steps as a large one, from demolition and plumbing to waterproofing, tile and fixtures, and work in a tight space takes longer. Older small bathrooms also often need a properly vented exhaust fan or a levelled floor.
Full Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto
A full renovation of a typical main bathroom, about 35 to 45 square feet with three or four fixtures, generally costs about $17,000 to $30,000. Projects with added features, such as a tiled walk-in shower with custom glass, a heated floor or upgraded fixtures, often reach $30,000 to $35,000. Larger four-piece bathrooms with premium finishes can cost $40,000 or more.
Choosing between a tub and a walk-in shower also affects the price. A tiled walk-in shower with a glass enclosure usually costs more than a tub with a tiled surround, because it needs more tile, more waterproofing detail and custom glass. If this is the only bathroom in the house with a tub, think about whether you want to keep one.
Ensuite Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto
Primary ensuite renovations in Toronto typically cost about $25,000 to $65,000, and custom ensuites can go well beyond that.
Ensuites are usually larger than main bathrooms and have more features. A double vanity means two sets of supply and drain connections. A large walk-in shower needs more waterproofing, tile and glass. A freestanding tub with a floor-mounted filler needs plumbing run through the floor. Ensuites are also where layout changes are most common, such as turning a tub alcove into a walk-in shower, and each change adds plumbing and framing work.
Condo Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto
Condo bathroom renovations in Toronto commonly range from about $12,000 to $45,000, depending on size and finish. They can sometimes cost more than comparable projects in houses due to building approvals, restricted working hours, elevator access and additional coordination requirements.
The difference comes from the building, not the bathroom. Most condo corporations require written approval before work starts, which can take a few weeks. Projects then have to work around:
- Elevator bookings for demolition, debris removal and deliveries.
- Restricted working hours and noise rules.
- Water shut-offs coordinated with building management.
- Insurance certificates, protection of common areas and material rules, such as acoustic underlay beneath new flooring.
Plumbing is also less flexible. Drains connect to a fixed stack in a concrete slab, so moving a toilet or shower is often limited or not possible.
Luxury Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto
Luxury bathroom renovations in Toronto usually start around $55,000, and large custom ensuites can exceed $90,000.
At this level, you pay for customization and precision as much as for materials: moved walls, natural stone or large-format porcelain slabs, curbless showers with linear drains, steam showers, custom millwork and designed lighting. Most of these need more design time, longer lead times and more careful installation.
What’s Included in a Full Bathroom Renovation?
A full bathroom renovation typically involves replacing existing finishes and fixtures. Depending on the condition of the bathroom and the agreed scope of work, it may also include updates to plumbing, electrical systems, framing and subfloors. Your written proposal should spell out the exact scope. The list below covers what a complete renovation commonly involves, not what every quote includes.
- Protection and demolition: protecting floors and hallways, then removing fixtures and finishes down to the studs and subfloor where agreed.
- Assessment: checking framing, subfloor, pipes and wiring once they are exposed.
- Plumbing and electrical updates: new supply and drain connections, a pressure-balancing or thermostatic shower valve, GFCI-protected outlets and updated lighting, with permits or notifications where required.
- Wall and floor preparation: repairing or levelling the subfloor and installing suitable backer board in wet areas.
- Waterproofing: a continuous membrane in the shower or tub area, sealed at corners, niches, benches and pipe penetrations.
- Shower or bathtub installation.
- Tile and flooring.
- Vanity, toilet and fixtures, then the glass enclosure, which is usually measured after tiling.
- Ventilation: an exhaust fan sized for the room and vented outdoors, not into the attic or ceiling space.
- Finishing: paint, caulking, trim, accessories, cleanup and a final walkthrough to check for deficiencies.
Some items vary from one contractor to another, such as permits, design work, fixtures you supply yourself and repairs to hidden damage found after demolition. Ask how each is handled before you sign.
What Factors Affect Bathroom Renovation Costs in Toronto?
Bathroom Size and Layout
Size matters less than most people expect; layout complexity often matters more. Sloped ceilings in third-floor bathrooms, a window inside the shower area, awkward alcoves and tight stair access all add time and detail work.
Keeping or Changing the Existing Layout
Keeping fixtures where they are is the single biggest way to control cost. Moving a toilet means relocating a large drain and its venting, and floor joists may run the wrong way. In a basement it can mean breaking concrete. A curbless shower may require lowering the floor so water drains properly.
Material and Fixture Selections
Porcelain tile and natural stone can look similar but differ in price and installation. Large-format tile needs a very flat substrate, and mosaics or herringbone patterns take longer to lay. Custom vanities cost more than stock ones, and frameless glass costs more than a framed enclosure. Lead times differ too.
Age and Condition of the Home
Toronto has a large stock of older houses, and their bathrooms often hide problems that only appear during demolition: galvanized or lead water lines, cast-iron drains, outdated wiring, rotted subfloor from slow leaks, uneven floors and heavy mortar-bed tile. For older homes, it’s wise to set aside a contingency of roughly 10% to 20% of the budget.
Waterproofing and Construction Quality
Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own. The protection comes from the membrane, correct slopes and careful detailing behind the tile. Shortcuts here are invisible on completion day and show up later as leaks, mould or a stained ceiling below. A lower quote that does not name a waterproofing system deserves a closer look.
Custom Features
Shower niches, benches, heated floors, custom glass, built-in storage, lighted mirrors, wall-hung toilets and smart controls each add design, coordination and installation time. Together, they can move a standard renovation into the high-end range.
Bathroom Renovation Cost per Square Foot in Toronto
Pricing a bathroom by the square foot is unreliable, which is why this guide does not use it. Every bathroom needs demolition, plumbing connections, waterproofing for the wet area, a vanity, a toilet and a fan, whatever its size, and those fixed requirements make up much of the budget.
So doubling a bathroom’s floor area rarely doubles the price, and a small bathroom can show a surprisingly high cost per square foot even with modest finishes. Budgeting by scope and finish level, as in the table above, is more reliable.
How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?
A standard full bathroom renovation in the existing layout usually takes about two to five weeks of on-site work. Ensuites and projects with layout changes often take four to six weeks or more. Planning and ordering typically add one to four weeks before demolition, and condo approvals can add several more.
- Planning and selections: finalizing layout, fixtures, tile and vanity, and ordering long-lead items.
- Demolition: usually a day or two.
- Rough-in work: plumbing, electrical and any framing changes, with inspections where required.
- Waterproofing and tiling: often the longest stage, because membranes and setting materials need time to cure.
- Fixture installation: vanity, toilet, faucets, shower trim and lighting.
- Glass and finishing: custom glass is measured after tiling and installed once made, followed by paint, caulking and a final walkthrough.
Delays usually come from hidden conditions behind the walls, backordered materials, custom vanities and glass, inspection scheduling, condo approvals and changes made after work starts. Ask for a written schedule as part of the proposal.
Do You Need a Permit for a Bathroom Renovation in Toronto?
It depends on the work. Replacing finishes and fixtures in their existing positions, such as new tile, a vanity or a toilet in the same spot, often does not need a building permit. The City of Toronto does require a building permit for installing new plumbing or altering an existing plumbing system, and for work that affects the structure. Adding a bathroom or relocating drains falls into that category. For borderline cases, check with Toronto Building before work starts.
Electrical work is regulated separately. According to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), almost all electrical work in Ontario must be reported to ESA, and paid electrical work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. A building permit does not replace the electrical notification. After the work passes inspection, ESA issues a Certificate of Acceptance; ask your contractor for a copy.
In a condo, you will usually also need written approval from the condo corporation or property management, and some buildings ask for drawings, a schedule and insurance documents first.
At Acon Renovations, homeowners can apply for the permit themselves, or we can apply on their behalf.
How to Save Money on a Bathroom Renovation
The most reliable savings come from decisions made before demolition, not from cheaper workmanship.
- Keep the existing plumbing layout wherever practical.
- Finalize selections before work begins; mid-project changes cause delays and rework.
- Spend on what you use daily, such as the shower valve, vanity and lighting, and save on items that are easy to change later.
- Choose durable mid-range materials, such as good porcelain tile and stock vanity sizes.
- Consider a refresh if the tub, tile and floor are sound, with no signs of leaks or soft spots.
- Compare the scope of each quote, not just the total.
Do not cut corners on waterproofing, licensed plumbing and electrical work, ventilation or required permits. Fixing failures there later usually costs far more than doing the work properly the first time.
How to Compare Bathroom Renovation Quotes
Two quotes for a “full bathroom renovation” can differ by thousands of dollars and both be honest. One may include demolition to the studs, a named waterproofing system and permits; another may tile over existing walls and treat hidden conditions as extras. Compare them line by line on scope.
- A clearly written scope: what is removed, what is rebuilt and what stays.
- Included work and proposed materials, with named products or clear allowances.
- Fixture and finish selections, and who orders and supplies them.
- The waterproofing method for the shower or tub area.
- Who handles permits and the ESA notification.
- A timeline with an expected start date and duration.
- How hidden site conditions and changes are priced and approved, in writing before work proceeds.
- Proof of liability insurance, WSIB coverage and a City of Toronto contractor licence.
- Written warranty terms, and who your day-to-day contact will be.
How to Get an Accurate Bathroom Renovation Estimate in Toronto
General price ranges, including the ones in this guide, are a starting point. A written estimate based on your actual bathroom is far more useful, because it reflects the room’s condition, layout and the finishes you want. To get one faster, prepare:
- Approximate dimensions, including ceiling height.
- Photos from several angles, plus any visible damage.
- Layout changes you are considering.
- Preferred features and finishes, with example photos if you have them.
- Your goals, such as more storage, a walk-in shower or an update before selling.
- Your preferred timing, and your building’s renovation rules if you live in a condo.
Acon Renovations has renovated Toronto homes since 2008. We hold a City of Toronto Building Renovator licence (T85-4826513) and carry $5 million in liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Learn more about our bathroom renovation services in Toronto or browse our recent bathroom projects.
When you are ready, request a free estimate and we will prepare a written estimate for your bathroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Toronto in 2026?
A standard full renovation typically costs about $17,000 to $30,000. A refresh can cost much less, while ensuites and luxury bathrooms commonly run from $25,000 to $65,000 or more.
Is $20,000 enough to renovate a bathroom in Toronto?
Often, for a standard main bathroom kept in its existing layout with mid-range finishes. It is usually not enough for a large ensuite, significant layout changes or premium materials.
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Toronto?
A powder room typically costs about $5,000 to $15,000, and a small three-piece bathroom about $15,000 to $25,000. Costs do not shrink in proportion to size, because the core work is the same.
Why do bathroom renovation quotes vary so much?
Quotes described the same way often cover different work. Differences in demolition, waterproofing, material allowances, permits, project management and the handling of hidden conditions can add up to thousands of dollars. Ask each contractor to spell out exactly what is included, so you can compare like with like.
Is a condo bathroom renovation more expensive?
It can be, because approvals, elevator bookings, restricted working hours and building rules add time and coordination. How much more depends on the building and the scope of work.
How long does a full bathroom renovation take?
Usually about two to five weeks on site in the existing layout, after one to four weeks of planning and ordering. Ensuites and layout changes often take longer.
Planning Your Bathroom Renovation Budget
Once the scope is clear, most Toronto bathroom renovations fall within a fairly predictable range: about $17,000 to $30,000 for a standard full renovation, less for a refresh, and considerably more for ensuites and luxury projects. Layout changes, conditions behind the walls and material choices decide where yours falls.
Plan a budget with a contingency, especially in an older home, and compare quotes on scope rather than price alone. When you are ready, contact Acon Renovations for a free estimate based on your space.