What is the difference between a bathroom refresh and a full bathroom renovation?

A bathroom refresh typically involves cosmetic updates like painting, new fixtures, and vanity replacement, while a full renovation includes moving plumbing, electrical work, and complete structural changes. The key difference is whether you're working within the existing layout or completely reimagining the space.

Bathroom Refresh Overview
A refresh works within your current bathroom's footprint and focuses on visual improvements. This includes painting walls, replacing the vanity and mirror, updating light fixtures, installing a new toilet, and adding new accessories like towel bars and shower curtains. You might also replace the faucets, showerhead, and add new flooring if the subfloor is in good condition. The existing plumbing and electrical locations remain unchanged, which keeps costs down and timelines short.

In Ottawa's market, a typical bathroom refresh ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the quality of fixtures and finishes you choose. The work can often be completed in 1-2 weeks since there's minimal disruption to the home's systems. This approach works well for bathrooms with good bones but dated aesthetics.

Full Bathroom Renovation Scope
A full renovation involves gutting the space down to the studs and potentially moving walls, plumbing lines, and electrical circuits. This includes relocating the toilet, shower, or vanity to create a better layout, installing new subfloor and insulation, upgrading electrical to current Ontario Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) standards, and adding features like heated floors, steam showers, or expanded storage.

Ottawa-Specific Considerations
In Ottawa, full bathroom renovations typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on size and finish level. If you're moving plumbing or electrical, you'll need permits from the City of Ottawa, which adds 2-3 weeks to your timeline for approval. The work itself takes 3-6 weeks for a full renovation versus 1-2 weeks for a refresh.

Many Ottawa homes built before 1980 have undersized electrical panels or outdated plumbing that gets discovered during full renovations. This can add unexpected costs but brings your bathroom up to current Ontario Building Code standards, which is valuable for both safety and resale.

Making the Right Choice
Choose a refresh if your layout works well, the plumbing is reliable, and you're primarily unhappy with the appearance. Opt for a full renovation if you need more space, better functionality, have recurring plumbing issues, or want to add accessibility features for aging in place.

Professional Guidance
While some refresh elements can be DIY projects, any electrical or plumbing work requires licensed professionals in Ontario. Full renovations always need professional expertise due to permit requirements, waterproofing concerns, and the complexity of coordinating multiple trades.

For a free consultation to determine which approach best suits your Ottawa home and budget, contact Justyn Rook Contracting. We can assess your current bathroom and help you make the most cost-effective choice for your goals.