Estimated Read Time: 7 Minutes

When planning a bathroom renovation, one of the first questions that may pop into your head will be how much it will cost you. 

Many factors affect a bathroom renovation's costs, so it is essential to understand these and their breakdown. That way, you can design a bathroom you will love and stay within budget. 

Our goal today is to show you the importance of clarity in budgeting and how working with a bathroom designer can allow you to move through the process more easily and with much less stress. 

Deslaurier has over four decades of experience helping design customized bathrooms in Ottawa and Renfrew. We take great pride in our profound industry knowledge and participating in numerous bathroom designs or renovations. We know how much it costs to renovate a large or small bathroom and are here to help you keep your remodel on track.

Below, we will discuss some of the ins and outs of bathroom renovations and break down the specific costs you may be interested in when beginning the planning process and calculating a budget. 

This should help you understand the bathroom renovation cost in Ontario and more specifically Ottawa.

Identifying the Type of Bathroom Renovation

You may not have thought of the type of bathroom renovation you are looking to undertake, but there are, in fact, two.

They each have pros and cons, require different permits, and can drastically change the amount of money you may need to allocate in your budget. Let's discuss both structural renovation and cosmetic renovation below.

Cosmetic

Renovations falling under the cosmetic category allow for aesthetic upgrades to your space without significantly altering your bathroom layout. 

They are generally meant to update your bathroom and give it a fresh appearance without extensive remodelling of your bathroom and can be less expensive than a structural renovation. 

Cosmetic renovations can also be less disruptive to your lifestyle than a structural remodel, so if you need a working bathroom for your family or children, they can be a more straightforward process to deal with.

Structural

Structural renovations will likely come with a hefty price tag and the need for permits. 

These renovations involve changes to a bathroom's layout, design, and functionality, often including removing or adding walls and relocating electrical and plumbing work. 

On average, a bathroom renovation can cost between $15k to $50k, but more extension renovations like those to a master bathroom can reach into the $30-50k range when completed. 

A benefit of a structural renovation is that it can significantly increase the value of your home and is great for homeowners looking to increase the resale value in the future. 

If you are considering a structural renovation, speak to your contractor about any building permits that may be required. If you live in Ontario and start any construction project, you must acquire a Provincial Building Permit per the Ontario Building Code Act. 

This Act states, “A building permit is required for the construction of a new building, an addition, or alteration of any building or structure with a building area over 10 square meters (approximately 108 square feet).”

This article is an excellent reference if you'd like to learn more about different renovations and permit requirements. 

Breaking Down the Average Bathroom Renovation Cost

As with any renovation, you will likely find many costs to contend with. 

Generally, a bathroom renovation ranks second in costs only to kitchen renovations. Whether it is a simple cosmetic renovation or structural change will affect your cost, among many other things. 

The approximate average cost for a bathroom renovation in Ottawa is $10K-$14K, but either more or less, depending on precisely what you plan. 

Two of the biggest factors that will influence the cost of your bathroom renovation will be the size and scope of the project. This may seem like common sense, but the more complex your bathroom remodel, the more you will spend on the costs associated with the project.

Below, we will break down just a few of the biggest renovation costs to give a guideline on your budget. 

We'll go over material costs, labour costs to renovate a bathroom, and then a few hidden costs and variables you may have to contend with.

Materials Costs

The materials you choose will take up a large chunk of your budget and will vary depending on the material you select for tiles, fixtures, etc. Below is a quick overview of the average costs for some of the items you are likely to be ordering for your new bathroom:

• Faucet - Average $945
• Sink - Average $1,150
• Tile - Average $19,375
• Custom Vanity - Average $2,250 to 7,600

The average cost for installation of showers and toilets in Ottawa is $636 total for toilets and $3000 total for showers. These numbers include materials, labour, removal, and disposal, so can vary quite a bit.

A custom vanity can be designed to the exact specifications of your space, so there is no fear of a vanity that looks too small or too large for the space. 

You can also customize your storage options so your vanity functions best for how you and your family live. This may mean customized storage for makeup, hair tools, and other toiletries you reach for daily. 

You also have control over the finish, countertop material, and hardware and are never stuck with stock options.

For more information on the cost of custom vanities, check out this article on the topic, where you can learn more about the specific costs. This is well worth the investment over buying prefabricated Home Depot, Ikea, and Rona bathroom vanities. Custom vanities may be a bit pricier, but the pros far outweigh the cons. 

The biggest thing to remember regarding material costs is that the size of your bathroom will have a considerable impact because more materials will be needed. 

Working with a bathroom designer can be helpful because they can help you narrow down what materials you should invest in more expensive quality materials, and other areas where you can save.

Labour Cost to Renovate a Bathroom

Bathroom remodels are unique because labour costs are typically more than the material costs for the project. 

This, of course, can vary, but it tends to be affected by the scope of work and the professionals required to complete the project. 

Intricate tile, advanced plumbing, and electrical work take time and expertise, so expect your labour costs to be more for these things. It also is important to note that this is not a place to skimp out. 

Professionals with experience and knowledge in these areas don't come cheap for a good reason: they will provide quality service and results that aren't guaranteed by finding some local handyperson who promises to do the work for half the price. 

The average rate for contractors and tradespeople is $36/hour, which can vary due to specialty and experience. 

Hidden Costs and Contingencies

As with any renovation, there is always the possibility of hidden costs that can pop up and throw a wrench in your budget. 

With bathrooms, this often comes from plumbing issues that were unseen before the remodelling began or damage that may need to be fixed from improper plumbing or electrical that was previously done. 

Although this can often be unavoidable, there are a few ways to make these surprises less stressful. 

The first step is to ensure an open line of communication between you and your contractor. If they speak to you first when issues arise, you will likely be able to find a solution quicker and possibly less expensive than if the problem compounds into something bigger.

The second is to set a contingency fund aside to help alleviate some of these unexpected costs. 

Setting aside a contingency budget of 10-15% of the total budget is wise. These funds can offset unexpected costs or repairs, increase prices, and keep the renovation running as smoothly as possible.

Factors Affecting Variation in Bathroom Remodel Costs

Regionally, you can expect your renovation costs to be higher in the more urban area you live in. 

This is usually due to labour shortages, material costs, and competition for skilled workers and projects. So, those living in a larger city can expect to pay more than those in more rural areas.

Using a designer with years of experience can help you navigate these variations and help you achieve the look you are after while keeping your budget in check. 

They will know where to splurge, where to save, and ways to get the style you desire in your new luxury bathroom design without breaking the bank.

Design with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets

We all know that renovating a bathroom will likely be one of the most expensive projects you take on in your home. 

That is why considering all the factors and information above can help you walk into the process of clearly understanding the average cost of bathroom renovation in Canada. 

Working with a professional designer is another decision that, in the long run, will help you with a modern bathroom design that has the style and storage you need while keeping your budget in a comfortable place.

If you're looking for a custom cabinet maker in Ottawa for your upcoming renovation, Deslaurier has precisely what you need!

With over 40 years of experience and an outreach of over 30 dealers across Ontario, we provide our clients with a fully customized design process with our talented team of designers. We are here to help you through the whole process of adding customization to your bathroom remodelling.

Book a free consultation with a Deslaurier designer at our Ottawa custom cabinets showroom!

Live outside the area? Find a Dealer to connect with near you! Interested in becoming an authorized Deslaurier dealer? Visit our Become a Dealer page to learn more!