Ask five contractors about bathroom renovation cost in Ontario and you’ll probably get five different numbers, none of which explain what’s actually driving the price. So instead of another rough guess, here’s a real breakdown of what bathroom renovations cost across Toronto, Scarborough, and the wider GTA in 2026 — and why the number changes so much from house to house.
At SM Builders, bathrooms are one of the most requested renovations we handle, from small powder room updates to full walk-in shower conversions. Here’s what those projects actually cost right now.
Average Bathroom Renovation Cost in Ontario (2026)
| Project Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small bathroom refresh (vanity, toilet, flooring, paint) | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Mid-range bathroom renovation (new tile, tub/shower, fixtures) | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Full bathroom remodel (layout changes, walk-in shower, premium finishes) | $25,000 – $40,000+ |
| Powder room addition or plumbing relocation | Add $5,000 – $12,000 on top of renovation cost |
These figures reflect what we typically quote across Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, and Vaughan homes. If a quote comes in far outside this range, ask what’s included — tile, fixtures, plumbing work, and waterproofing should all be itemized separately.
What Actually Drives Bathroom Renovation Costs
1. Plumbing changes. Keeping your toilet, tub, and sink in their existing locations keeps costs down. Moving any of them means rerouting pipes, which adds labour fast.
2. Tile and finishes. Ceramic tile is the budget-friendly option; porcelain, natural stone, and large-format tile all push costs higher, both in materials and installation time.
3. Walk-in shower conversions. Converting a tub to a walk-in shower is one of the most requested upgrades we see, especially for aging-in-place renovations — but it usually involves reworking the drain, waterproofing membrane, and glass enclosure, which adds to a straightforward retile job.
4. Ventilation and waterproofing. Proper exhaust fans and waterproofing membranes aren’t optional in a bathroom, and skipping them to save money is one of the fastest ways to end up with mold issues later.
5. Fixtures. Standard fixtures keep a renovation affordable; higher-end faucets, rainfall showerheads, and heated flooring can add several thousand dollars depending on the brand and finish.
Small Bathroom Remodel vs. Full Renovation
If your bathroom’s layout already works and the plumbing is in good shape, a small bathroom remodel — new vanity, updated flooring, fresh paint, and modern fixtures — can make a real visual difference without the cost of a full gut renovation.
A full bathroom renovation is worth the investment if you’re dealing with outdated plumbing, water damage, poor layout, or you’re specifically planning a walk-in shower conversion. If you’re renovating more than one room, it’s often worth pairing a bathroom project with a kitchen renovation for better overall scheduling and pricing.
Tips to Keep Your Bathroom Renovation Budget Under Control
- Get an itemized quote before demolition starts — tile, fixtures, and labour should each be broken out separately.
- Keep your existing plumbing layout where possible; it’s the single biggest cost-saver in most bathroom renovations.
- Choose porcelain over natural stone if budget matters more than a specific look — it’s more durable and far more affordable.
- Don’t skip proper ventilation and waterproofing to save a few hundred dollars; it’s one of the most expensive things to fix after the fact.
- Set aside a contingency of 10–15% for older homes in Toronto and Scarborough, where plumbing or subfloor issues are often only discovered once work begins.
Why Toronto & Scarborough Homeowners Choose SM Builders
We manage bathroom renovations from design through final finishes — plumbing, tile, waterproofing, fixtures, and walk-in shower conversions — with transparent, itemized pricing and a dedicated project manager on every job.
For more on our process and past bathroom projects, visit our bathroom renovation page, or reach out directly for a real number.
Ready to find out what your bathroom renovation would actually cost? Call SM Builders at 647 331 7366 or email smbuildersto@gmail.com for a free, no-obligation estimate. We’ll assess your space and send a detailed proposal — usually within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a bathroom renovation in Ontario? Most mid-range bathroom renovations across Toronto, Scarborough, and the GTA fall between $12,000 and $22,000, with small refreshes starting around $6,000 and full remodels reaching $25,000–$40,000+.
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower? A tub-to-shower conversion typically costs $8,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of the shower, tile choice, and whether the drain or plumbing needs to be relocated.
How long does a bathroom renovation take? A small refresh usually takes about a week. A full bathroom remodel, including tile work and plumbing changes, typically takes 3–5 weeks depending on scope.
2026 Bathroom Renovation Cost Breakdown
If you’re trying to budget for a bathroom renovation in Ontario, it helps to know which “tier” your project falls into. Based on the bathrooms we renovate across Scarborough, Toronto, and the surrounding GTA, most projects land in one of four ranges. Treat these as typical ranges — not guarantees — because the final price always depends on your bathroom’s size, its current condition, and the finishes you choose.
Powder room or small refresh: $8,000–$15,000
A powder room (half bath) or a light refresh of a small full bathroom is the most affordable type of project. This range usually covers a new vanity and toilet, updated flooring, fresh paint, and new lighting and accessories. Because there’s no tub or shower to rebuild — and the plumbing almost always stays exactly where it is — labour costs stay low. If your powder room just looks tired, this tier delivers a big visual change for a modest budget.
Standard full bathroom renovation: $15,000–$30,000
This is the most common bathroom renovation we handle in Toronto and Scarborough. A standard full bathroom renovation typically includes new floor and shower tile, a new tub or shower base, a vanity, toilet, faucets, and updated lighting — all within the existing plumbing layout. Keeping the toilet, tub, and sink where they are is the key decision that keeps most projects in this range. This is the sweet spot for homeowners who want a modern, fully updated bathroom without structural changes.
Mid-range bathroom with layout changes: $25,000–$40,000
Once plumbing starts moving, costs step up. Relocating a toilet, shifting a shower drain, or reconfiguring the layout means opening walls and floors, rerouting pipes, and extra inspection steps. Projects in this tier often include a walk-in shower conversion, feature or large-format tile, and upgraded fixtures. We also see many older Scarborough and East York homes land in this range — not because of luxury finishes, but because demolition uncovers aging plumbing or subfloor damage that has to be fixed properly.
Luxury or master bathroom: $35,000–$60,000+
Master ensuites and high-end renovations sit at the top of the range. These projects usually feature a curbless walk-in shower with a frameless glass enclosure, a double vanity, heated flooring, custom tile layouts, and premium fixtures. More trades are involved, timelines are longer, and material costs are higher — but the result is a bathroom that genuinely feels like a retreat. For larger ensuites with extensive custom work, costs can exceed $60,000.
Again, these are typical ranges based on real projects — not fixed quotes. The only way to know what your bathroom will cost is to have a contractor assess the space in person, which is exactly what a free estimate is for.
What Affects the Cost
Two bathrooms that look identical on paper can end up costing very different amounts. These are the factors that move the number most:
Bathroom size. A larger bathroom means more tile, more waterproofing membrane, and more labour hours — it really is that straightforward. A compact five-by-eight bathroom costs noticeably less to renovate than a sprawling ensuite, even with similar finishes.
Plumbing relocation. Moving a toilet, shower drain, or sink is the single biggest cost driver in most renovations. Every relocated fixture means rerouting supply and drain lines, cutting into floors or walls, and additional inspection steps. Keeping the existing layout is the easiest way to control costs.
Tile and fixtures. Tile is usually the largest material cost in a bathroom. Basic ceramic is affordable, porcelain costs more, and natural stone or mosaic feature tile costs the most — both to buy and to install. Fixtures follow the same pattern: standard chrome faucets are budget-friendly, while designer brands, rainfall shower systems, and smart toilets add up quickly.
Waterproofing. Proper waterproofing — membranes behind shower walls, sealed corners, the right underlayment — is non-negotiable in a wet room. It adds a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars depending on the shower size, but skipping it is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. We never cut this corner.
Permits. Most cosmetic bathroom updates in Toronto don’t need a building permit, but moving plumbing, altering drainage, or changing the structure usually does. Permit fees in Toronto are relatively modest (typically a few hundred dollars), but the drawings and inspection scheduling add time to the project.
Labour. A bathroom renovation involves several licensed trades — plumbers, electricians, and tile setters — and GTA labour rates reflect the cost of skilled, insured professionals. Be wary of quotes that fall far below the typical ranges above; they often mean unlicensed labour, skipped waterproofing, or vague allowances that balloon later.
How to Save Money Without Cutting Corners
You don’t need the cheapest contractor to get good value — you need smart decisions. Here’s what actually saves money without compromising quality:
1. Keep the plumbing where it is. This is the big one. Designing your new bathroom around the existing toilet, tub, and drain locations can save thousands in labour and materials.
2. Choose porcelain over natural stone. Modern porcelain tile convincingly mimics marble and other natural stones at a fraction of the price — and it’s more durable and easier to maintain in a wet environment.
3. Refinish instead of replacing where it makes sense. If your tub is structurally sound but looks dated, professional refinishing costs far less than a full replacement. The same logic applies to keeping a solid vanity cabinet and just updating the countertop and hardware.
4. Get an itemized quote and lock the scope. The most expensive words in a renovation are “while you’re at it.” Mid-project changes trigger extra labour, new material orders, and delays. A detailed, itemized quote — and sticking to the agreed scope — keeps the budget honest.
5. Plan for a 10–15% contingency. This sounds like spending more, but it actually saves money: in older Toronto and Scarborough homes, we regularly find hidden plumbing or subfloor issues once walls are opened. A contingency fund means those surprises get fixed properly instead of becoming cut corners or a stalled project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Toronto?
A small full bathroom renovation in Toronto typically costs $15,000–$30,000 when the plumbing layout stays the same. A lighter refresh — new vanity, toilet, flooring, and paint — can land between $8,000 and $15,000. If you’re in Scarborough or the east end and want an exact number, that’s what our free estimates are for.
What is the average bathroom renovation cost in Ontario?
Across Ontario, most mid-range bathroom renovations fall between $15,000 and $30,000, with the average for a standard full bathroom sitting somewhere in the low-to-mid $20,000s. Luxury ensuites and projects with layout changes push well beyond that, which is why an in-person quote matters more than any online average.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A small refresh usually takes about a week, while a standard full bathroom renovation takes 2–4 weeks from demolition to final finishes. Projects with layout changes, custom tile work, or permit inspections can run 4–6 weeks. A good contractor will give you a realistic timeline before any work begins.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom renovation in Toronto?
It depends on the scope. Straight fixture and finish replacements — new tile, vanity, toilet, and faucets in the same locations — generally don’t require a building permit in Toronto. But if you’re moving plumbing, altering drainage, or making structural changes, you’ll need one. As your contractor, we handle the permit application and inspections for you.
Is it cheaper to renovate a bathroom in winter?
Sometimes, but not by much. Winter is typically a slower season for contractors in the GTA, so you may find more flexible scheduling — and occasionally better pricing. Material costs don’t change much by season, though, and a reputable contractor charges fairly year-round. The best time to renovate is when you’ve found a contractor you trust, not when you’re chasing a seasonal discount.
Planning a bathroom renovation in Scarborough or Toronto? See our bathroom renovation services to learn more about our process and past projects, or get a free estimate — we’ll assess your space and send a detailed, itemized proposal, usually within 48 hours.
Planning a renovation? Get pricing and project help from our team for bathroom renovation in Scarborough and across Toronto, browse our small bathroom renovation ideas for compact spaces, or compare budgets with our kitchen renovation cost in Toronto guide.
