Bathroom renovation cost in Canada: full remodel, tub-to-shower and accessibility

A bathroom packs plumbing, waterproofing, tile, ventilation, electrical work and fixtures into 40–80 square feet, so its cost per square foot is high even when the total is modest. With our illustrative preset of $450–$850 per sq ft for a full gut, mid-range remodel, a 50 sq ft main bathroom works out at roughly $22,500–$42,500 before tax and one-time costs. A cosmetic refresh that keeps the tub, toilet and vanity locations and replaces surfaces costs much less; a curbless shower, heated floors, a relocated toilet or rotten subfloor push the figure up.

This guide is part of the renovation cost overview. See also basement finishing cost if you are adding a bathroom downstairs, and renovation tax credits in 2026 for accessibility work.

Three levels of bathroom work

The presets in the renovation cost estimator assume the middle-to-high level. Lower the range for a refresh.

The cost drivers in detail

Plumbing moves

Every metre a drain moves needs slope and venting. Moving a toilet is often the most disruptive change, because its large drain must run through or below the floor structure. Over a finished ceiling, that ceiling has to be opened and repaired. On a slab in a basement, the concrete must be cut and patched.

Waterproofing and tile

A tiled shower needs a waterproofing system behind and under the tile. Labour for large-format tile, niches, benches, and a sloped or curbless floor is significant. Ask quotes to name the waterproofing method and who warrants it; failures show up as leaks months later.

Subfloor and framing

Older bathrooms often hide soft subfloor around the toilet and tub. A contractor cannot price that before demolition, which is why good bathroom quotes include a unit price for subfloor replacement per square foot or per sheet. Without it, the change order arrives at the worst moment.

Ventilation and electrical

An exhaust fan vented to the outside, ground-fault protected receptacles and appropriate lighting are standard requirements in Canadian codes for bathrooms; heated floors need a dedicated circuit. Electrical work usually needs a licensed electrician and a permit or notification under provincial rules.

Fixtures and finish level

Fixture choices (toilet, vanity, faucets, shower valve, glass enclosure) can move the total by thousands of dollars without changing labour much. Quotes often use allowances; check whether an allowance covers installation and tax.

Worked example: a 50 sq ft main bathroom

Illustrative, Quebec, full gut, toilet stays in place, shower replaces tub.

1. Area × preset range: 50 × $450 = $22,500 (low); 50 × $850 = $42,500 (high).
2. One-time costs (bin, protection, plumbing permit if required): $1,000. Range: $23,500–$43,500.
3. Contingency at 15% on the high end: $43,500 × 15% = $6,525; ceiling $50,025.
4. Quebec sales tax: GST 5% = $2,501.25; QST 9.975% = $4,989.99; total ceiling $57,516.24. Both taxes are calculated on the pre-tax price.

In Quebec, the contractor should hold the RBQ licence subclass that covers the work; plumbing in Quebec is a regulated trade, so ask who does it. See contractor licensing and workers' compensation checks.

Accessibility upgrades

Grab bars with blocking in the walls, a curbless or low-threshold shower, a comfort-height toilet, a wider door and lever handles are common accessibility changes. Building blocking into the walls during a remodel costs little; adding it later means opening tile.

If the home belongs to someone 65 or older, or to a person eligible for the disability tax credit, eligible expenses may qualify for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit. Conditions apply and some medical-expense rules interact with it; see renovation tax credits in 2026.

Saving money without regret

• Keep drain locations; spend on waterproofing rather than on decorative tile.
• Choose a standard-size tub or shower base instead of a custom pan when the budget is tight.
• Decide fixtures before signing to lock the price.
• Do not skip the exhaust fan duct to the outside; moisture damage costs more later.

Questions to ask in a bathroom quote

1. Which waterproofing system, and is it warranted separately?
2. What is the unit price for subfloor or framing repairs found after demolition?
3. Who supplies fixtures, and are allowances inclusive of tax and installation?
4. Who pulls plumbing and electrical permits?
5. How long will the house be without this bathroom?

Use the quote checklist to make answers comparable.

FAQ

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

A full gut of a small bathroom often takes a few weeks of site time, depending on drying times for waterproofing and tile, inspections and the availability of trades.

Is a tub-to-shower conversion cheaper than a full remodel?

Usually, if the drain stays put and the walls around the tub are sound. If the conversion includes a curbless floor, the floor structure may need work and the cost rises.

Can I do the demolition myself to save money?

Some contractors allow it, but agree in writing what you will remove, how you will dispose of it and who is responsible for damage. Older bathrooms can contain asbestos in some materials; test before you demolish.

Sources

• Canada Revenue Agency — Home Accessibility Tax Credit and GST/HST
• Revenu Québec — QST
• Régie du bâtiment du Québec — licence register and plumbing rules in Quebec
• National Research Council Canada — National Building Code