Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide Ottawa: Complete 2025 Pricing

# Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide Ottawa: Complete 2025 Pricing

*Last updated: December 2025 | Read time: 12 min*

Planning a bathroom renovation in Ottawa? Whether you're updating a powder room or creating a spa-like master retreat, understanding costs upfront helps you budget realistically. This guide breaks down what Ottawa homeowners actually pay.

**Quick answer:** A basic bathroom refresh costs $5,000-$10,000. A mid-range full renovation runs $15,000-$30,000. A luxury master bathroom costs $35,000-$60,000+.

## Table of Contents

1. [Cost Summary](#cost-summary)

2. [Labour Costs](#labour)

3. [Fixture Costs](#fixtures)

4. [Tile & Flooring](#tile)

5. [Plumbing Considerations](#plumbing)

6. [Timeline Expectations](#timeline)

7. [Ways to Save Money](#save-money)

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## Cost Summary {#cost-summary}

### By Renovation Level

| Level | Cost Range | What's Included |

|-------|-----------|-----------------|

| Cosmetic Refresh | $5,000-10,000 | Paint, fixtures, accessories |

| Moderate Update | $10,000-20,000 | New vanity, toilet, tub refinishing, flooring |

| Full Renovation | $20,000-35,000 | Everything new, tile shower, quality fixtures |

| Luxury Remodel | $35,000-60,000+ | Premium materials, custom features, layout changes |

### By Bathroom Type

| Bathroom Type | Typical Cost |

|---------------|--------------|

| Powder room (2-piece) | $5,000-12,000 |

| Main bath (3-piece) | $12,000-25,000 |

| Master bath (4-piece) | $20,000-40,000 |

| Ensuite with shower | $15,000-30,000 |

| Basement bathroom (new) | $15,000-30,000 |

---

## Labour Costs {#labour}

Labour typically represents 40-50% of bathroom renovation costs in Ottawa.

### Trade Rates

| Trade | Hourly Rate | Typical Project Cost |

|-------|-------------|---------------------|

| General Contractor | $50-80/hr | Project management |

| Plumber | $90-130/hr | $2,000-5,000 |

| Electrician | $80-120/hr | $800-2,000 |

| Tile Installer | $60-90/hr | $2,000-5,000 |

| Drywaller | $45-70/hr | $500-1,500 |

| Painter | $40-60/hr | $400-1,000 |

### What Labour Covers

**Demolition:** $500-1,500

- Removing old fixtures

- Tile removal

- Disposal

**Rough-in work:** $2,000-5,000

- Plumbing modifications

- Electrical updates

- Framing changes

**Finishing:** $3,000-8,000

- Tile installation

- Fixture installation

- Paint and trim

---

## Fixture Costs {#fixtures}

### Toilets

| Type | Cost Range |

|------|-----------|

| Basic builder-grade | $150-300 |

| Mid-range (elongated, comfort height) | $300-600 |

| High-efficiency | $400-800 |

| Wall-mount | $600-1,500 |

| Smart toilet | $1,500-5,000+ |

**Our recommendation:** Comfort height, elongated bowl with good flush rating - $300-500

### Vanities

| Type | Cost Range |

|------|-----------|

| Stock vanity (24-36") | $200-600 |

| Stock vanity (48-60") | $400-1,200 |

| Semi-custom | $800-2,500 |

| Custom built | $2,000-6,000+ |

| Floating vanity | $600-2,500 |

**Countertops add:**

- Laminate: $100-300

- Cultured marble: $200-500

- Quartz: $400-1,200

- Natural stone: $500-1,500

### Showers & Tubs

| Option | Cost (supply + install) |

|--------|------------------------|

| Acrylic tub/shower combo | $1,000-2,500 |

| Alcove soaking tub | $600-1,500 |

| Freestanding tub | $1,500-5,000+ |

| Acrylic shower stall | $1,500-3,000 |

| Tiled shower (custom) | $4,000-10,000 |

| Walk-in/curbless shower | $5,000-12,000 |

| Glass shower door | $800-2,500 |

### Faucets & Hardware

| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |

|------|--------|-----------|---------|

| Bathroom faucet | $50-100 | $150-300 | $400-800 |

| Shower valve + trim | $150-300 | $400-700 | $800-1,500 |

| Towel bars/rings | $20-50 | $75-150 | $200-400 |

| Toilet paper holder | $15-30 | $40-80 | $100-200 |

---

## Tile & Flooring {#tile}

### Floor Tile

| Material | Cost/Sq Ft (installed) | 50 Sq Ft Bathroom |

|----------|----------------------|-------------------|

| Vinyl plank | $6-12 | $300-600 |

| Ceramic tile | $10-18 | $500-900 |

| Porcelain tile | $12-22 | $600-1,100 |

| Heated floor add-on | +$8-15 | +$400-750 |

### Wall Tile (Shower/Tub Area)

| Material | Cost/Sq Ft (installed) | Standard Shower |

|----------|----------------------|-----------------|

| Ceramic | $12-20 | $1,200-2,000 |

| Porcelain | $15-25 | $1,500-2,500 |

| Glass | $25-50 | $2,500-5,000 |

| Natural stone | $20-45 | $2,000-4,500 |

### Popular Tile Choices in Ottawa

**Floor:**

- Large format porcelain (12x24" or larger)

- Wood-look tile

- Hexagon mosaic

**Shower walls:**

- Subway tile (timeless)

- Large format (fewer grout lines)

- Niche with accent tile

---

## Plumbing Considerations {#plumbing}

### When Plumbing Gets Expensive

| Scenario | Additional Cost |

|----------|----------------|

| Moving toilet location | $1,500-4,000 |

| Moving vanity (minor) | $500-1,500 |

| Adding shower to tub space | $1,000-3,000 |

| Basement bathroom (new) | $5,000-12,000 |

| Adding in-floor drain | $1,000-2,500 |

### Keep Plumbing in Place

The biggest cost saver: keep fixtures in current locations

- Same spot = connect to existing lines

- Different spot = new lines, permits, time

### Older Home Considerations

Ottawa homes built before 1970 may have:

- Galvanized pipes (replace during reno)

- Cast iron drains (may need updating)

- Undersized supply lines

Budget extra $2,000-5,000 for older homes.

---

## Timeline Expectations {#timeline}

### Typical Project Timelines

| Project Type | Duration |

|--------------|----------|

| Cosmetic refresh | 3-5 days |

| Moderate update | 1-2 weeks |

| Full renovation | 2-4 weeks |

| Master bath luxury | 4-6 weeks |

| Basement bath (new) | 3-5 weeks |

### What Affects Timeline

**Faster:**

- Keeping plumbing in place

- Stock materials (no wait)

- Smaller bathroom

- Straightforward scope

**Slower:**

- Custom orders (vanities, tile)

- Layout changes

- Permit requirements

- Unexpected issues (water damage, mold)

---

## Ways to Save Money {#save-money}

### High-Impact Savings

| Strategy | Potential Savings |

|----------|-------------------|

| Keep plumbing in place | $1,500-5,000 |

| Refinish tub instead of replace | $500-1,000 |

| Stock vanity vs custom | $1,000-3,000 |

| Ceramic tile vs porcelain | $500-1,500 |

| Fewer tile cuts (simple layout) | $300-800 |

### Don't Skimp On

- Waterproofing (leaks are expensive)

- Quality shower valve (lasts 20+ years)

- Proper ventilation (prevents mold)

- Licensed plumber (code compliance)

### Where to Splurge

If budget is tight, splurge on:

1. Shower valve/trim (you touch it daily)

2. Good toilet (reliable, easy to clean)

3. Quality tile installation (prevents failures)

### What You Can Do Yourself

- Painting (save $300-800)

- Demolition (carefully, save $300-1,000)

- Accessories installation (towel bars, etc.)

- Shopping for materials (better selection)

---

## Ottawa-Specific Information

### Permits

Bathroom renovations may require permits if:

- Moving or adding plumbing

- Electrical changes beyond fixtures

- Adding new bathroom

- Structural modifications

Permit cost: $150-400

### Inspection Requirements

Rough-in inspection required for:

- New plumbing lines

- Electrical rough-in

- Basement bathroom drainage

### Condo Considerations

Ottawa condos often require:

- Board approval

- Specific contractors

- Limited work hours

- Waterproofing specifications

Add 2-4 weeks for condo approval process.

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## Getting an Accurate Quote

Every bathroom is different. For an accurate quote, a contractor needs to:

- See your current bathroom

- Understand your goals

- Know your material preferences

- Check existing conditions

At Justyn Rook Contracting, we've completed hundreds of Ottawa bathrooms. We provide detailed, transparent quotes with no surprises.

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*Ready to transform your bathroom? [Contact us](/contact) for a free consultation and detailed quote.*