How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Toronto? A 2026 Guide

By Riteway Construction & Maintenance Inc. · Toronto · GTA

Bathroom renovations in Toronto cost between $12,000 and $45,000+++ in 2026, with most homeowners spending $16,000–$24,000 for a full renovation of a standard three-piece bathroom. Powder rooms start around $4,000–$12,000, while large master ensuites with custom features can run $40,000–$70,000 or more. The final number depends on three things: the size of the bathroom, the finish materials you choose, and whether you're keeping the existing layout or moving plumbing.

This guide breaks down what those numbers actually buy you, what drives the cost up (or down), and what to expect when you hire a renovation contractor in Toronto. After more than a decade of completing premium bathroom renovations across the GTA from family bathroom upgrades to luxury ensuites across the GTA we've put together the kind of honest answer we wish more homeowners got before signing a contract.

Quick Reference: Bathroom Renovation Costs in Toronto (2026)

Bathroom Type	Typical Cost Range	What's Included
Powder room (2-piece)	$4,000 – $12,000	Toilet, vanity, flooring, paint, light fixtures
Standard 3-piece bath	$12,000 – $25,000	Demo, waterproofing, tile, tub or shower, vanity, fixtures
Mid-range full bath	$22,000 – $32,000	Custom shower, upgraded tile, premium fixtures, finishing
Master ensuite	$26,000 – $45,000	Larger footprint, double vanity, separate shower, premium finishes
Luxury master ensuite	$45,000 – $70,000+	Custom millwork, heated floors, large-format slabs, designer fixtures

These ranges reflect full turnkey renovations across Toronto and the GTA — meaning labour, materials, fixtures, and waterproofing are all included. Condo renovations typically run 10–20% higher due to building access requirements, insurance, and elevator bookings.

What Actually Drives the Cost

The price difference between a $15,000 bathroom and a $40,000 bathroom isn't usually about who's working on it. It's about five specific things:

1. Whether you're moving plumbing

This is the single biggest cost driver. If your existing toilet, sink, and shower are staying where they are, plumbing costs stay manageable. If you're relocating any of them, moving the toilet to the opposite wall, changing the shower position, adding a second sink, you're adding $2,000 to $6,000 in plumbing work alone, plus a permit and inspections. Which are fees that alot of contractors don't bring up to you at your consultation.

2. The size of the space

Bathrooms in Toronto homes range from 35 sq ft (powder rooms) to 120+ sq ft (master ensuites). Larger footprints mean more tile, more drywall, more labour. As a rough rule of thumb for bigger size renos, expect ranges from $350–$500 per square foot with even higher numbers for luxury renos in 2026.

3. Tile and material selection

Tile alone can swing your budget by $5,000 or more. Standard porcelain runs $10–$25 per square foot installed, while large-format slabs, natural stone, or imported marble can hit $40+ per square foot. Vanities range from $800 prefab units to $4,500++ custom builds. Fixtures (faucets, shower systems) range from $500 to over $3,000 per item.

4. The age of your home

If your home was built before 1985, common across the Annex, Leslieville, North York, and older Etobicoke neighbourhoods, there's a real chance demolition uncovers something unexpected. Asbestos floor tile, knob-and-tube wiring, rotten subfloors, hidden water damage. Budget a 10–15% contingency on top of your quoted price for older homes. We also tell every client that these contingency budgets should be in place for any renovations you plan on doing for these unforseen items not just bathrooms.

5. Whether you need a permit

In Toronto, a permit is required if you're moving plumbing or electrical, changing the structural layout, or relocating fixtures. Cosmetic renovations such as new tile, a new vanity, fixture swaps in their existing positions, typically don't require one. Toronto building permit fees run roughly $11.53 per square metre, with a $215 minimum + your architect/engineering fees.

Three Riteway Bathroom Renovations: What They Actually Cost

Our renovations start at around $20,000 to $22,000 for a complete three-piece bathroom. Below that price point, you're either looking at a partial refresh (vanity swap, fresh paint, new fixtures in their existing positions) or a contractor who's cutting corners on waterproofing, materials, or labour and a bathroom is the worst place in your home to cut those particular corners.

Here are three projects that represent the most common scopes we take on across the GTA.

The $22,000 Three-Piece Refresh

A standard 5×8 bathroom in a Toronto home. Full demo, new tub-and-shower combo with porcelain subway tile surround, new vanity with quartz top, new toilet, porcelain floor tile, new fan and lighting, repainted. Existing plumbing layout kept and mid grade fixtures. Three weeks from demo to final walkthrough.

The $28,000 Family Bathroom Upgrade

A 7×9 bathroom in a GTA home. Full demo, custom walk-in glass shower with large-format porcelain tile, freestanding tub, single or double vanity with quartz countertop, premium fixtures, new lighting and exhaust, repainted. Minor plumbing relocation for the shower. Three to four weeks of work. People always ask that long for a bathroom???? Yes!!

Getting to the finishing stages of your reno takes time to perfect, and when including a custom glass to a shower to the project will have its own lead times of 7-10 business days. Which can only be measured once your tiles are completed. These turn out to be surprises for alot of people when they aren't educated before these projects commence.

The $42,000 Master Ensuite

An ensuite in an Toronto/GTA home. Full demo, new layout with a freestanding tub and large walk-in glass shower, double vanity with custom millwork, large-format porcelain on floors and shower walls, heated floors, premium fixtures, new lighting. Plumbing relocation required, building permit pulled. Five to six weeks from start to finish.

How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?

Most full bathroom renovations in Toronto take two to four weeks of active work, depending on scope. Master ensuites and renovations with major plumbing changes can take five to six weeks. The honest version of a timeline looks like this:

• Days 1–2: Preparation, demolition and disposal

• Days 3–6: Plumbing rough-in, electrical, framing changes

• Day 7: Inspection (if permitted)

• Days 8–14: Waterproofing, tile installation, drywall finishing

• Days 15–18: Vanity, fixtures, glass, painting

• Days 19–20: Accessories, silicone and finishes

• Days 21-23: Final cleanup, walkthrough, punch list

  
  

Add a week for any back-ordered tile or custom vanity, and another week for older homes where surprises during demo aren't unusual.

The Hidden Costs Most People Don't Budget For

The number on your contract isn't always the number you end up paying. Here's what catches homeowners off guard:

• Disposal and dump fees ($300–$800 depending on volume)

• Subfloor/Structural repairs if rot is found during demo, or the previous contractor decided to cut through joists or bearing walls for plumbing/heating runs ($500–$2,000)

• Mould remediation if discovered ($1,000–$3,000+)

• Asbestos abatement in pre-1980 homes ($2,000–$5,000)

• Upgrading old wiring to current code with running proper feeds to panel($800–$2,000) Note** This doesn't include repairing any damage to run these lines back so anticipate (patching & painting)

• Tile overage (always order 10% extra — it's not optional)

A reputable contractor will write contingencies into the contract, photograph anything unexpected, and issue a written change order before doing additional work. If a contractor finds something during demo and quietly adds it to the final bill, that's a red flag, not an industry standard.

What to Ask Before You Sign Anything

If you're getting quotes from multiple contractors and the numbers are wildly different, the difference is almost never about skill, it's about what's included.

Before you sign:

• Ask whether the quote is fixed-price or time-and-materials

• Ask what's specifically excluded and included (disposal? permits? paint? plumbing fixtures? vanities? accessories?)

• Ask for proof of up to date WSIB coverage and liability insurance slips

• Ask for three recent project references in the GTA(Not photos! actual people you can reach out to)

• Ask how change orders are handled, verbally or in writing?

• Ask about payment structures and potential delays

• Ask about material pickups and delivery dates

• Ask about samples (tiles, fixtures, lighting selections)

• Ask about site precautions and how your home is protected before this reno even begins

A $3,000 lower quote that excludes waterproofing, doesn't include disposal, and skips the building permit isn't actually cheaper. It's the same renovation with the risk shifted to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Toronto? A small 5×7 bathroom typically costs $20,000 to $25,000 in 2026, depending on materials. Economy renovations with basic finishes can come in around $15,000; high-end finishes in the same footprint can reach $25,000+.

Do I need a permit for a bathroom renovation in Toronto? A permit is required if you're moving plumbing, changing the structural layout, or relocating electrical. Cosmetic renovations replacing tile, vanity, and fixtures in their existing positions typically don't require one. Permit fees in Toronto are approximately $11.53 per square metre with a $215 minimum.

What's the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation? The shower area is usually the single largest cost between 30% and 40% of the total budget. That includes waterproofing, tile, glass enclosure, and fixtures.

How long does a bathroom renovation take? Most full bathroom renovations take three to four weeks. Master ensuites and renovations with significant plumbing changes can take five to six weeks.

Can I stay in my home during a bathroom renovation? Yes, as long as you have access to another working bathroom. Renovations are dusty and noisy plan for the work zone to be sealed off from the rest of the house.

Do I really need a 10–15% contingency? For homes built before 1985, yes. For newer homes, 5–10% is usually enough. Contingency money you don't end up using is money you keep not money you've lost.

Will a bathroom renovation increase my home's value? Bathroom renovations recover an average of 60–65% of their cost at resale in the Toronto market, and well executed renovations often act as a tiebreaker in competitive offer situations. Updated bathrooms also reduce the kind of buyer objections that drag offers down.

How Riteway Approaches Bathroom Renovations

We've completed bathroom renovations across Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, Mississauga, and the surrounding GTA for more than a decade. Our work runs the full premium range from designer-led ensuite gut renovations to standard family bathroom upgrades for homeowners who want it done right the first time.

Riteway bathroom renovations start at $20,000 for a complete three-piece. That price reflects what a properly built bathroom actually costs in 2026: licensed trades, full waterproofing systems, quality materials, real project management, and a fixed-price contract you can hold us to.

Every project starts with a no-obligation consultation, a written fixed price quote, and a clear scope. No surprise invoices. No vague allowances. No skipping the waterproofing!

If you're planning a bathroom renovation in Toronto or the GTA in 2026, we'd be glad to walk through the numbers with you.

📞 Call us at 647-204-0140 ✉️ Email info@theriteway.ca

Riteway Construction & Maintenance Inc. is a licensed and insured renovation contractor based in North York, serving Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. We specialize in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and full home renovations. Everything in the above blog is of our opinion.