Behind the tile
- Waterproofing membrane
- Sloped mortar bed
- Backer board in wet areas
- Corners, curb and niche detailed
Invisible, and where bathrooms fail.
What a bathroom renovation costs in the GTA.
The range is wide and one decision explains most of it: whether the fixtures stay where they are. This page sets out what is in a bathroom, what moves the number, and what to ask about the part you cannot see once the tile is on.
Based in
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Estimates
Free & on-site
Before we start
Written scope
On site
Same crew throughout
What you're buying
What's actually in the job.
The build
- Demolition and disposal
- Framing changes
- Licensed plumbing and electrical
- Ventilation sized to the room
- Subfloor repair
Finishes
- Floor and wall tile
- Vanity, counter and mirror
- Fixtures and hardware
- Trim, doors and paint
- Glass and shower enclosure
The drivers
What moves the number, and by how much.
Ranked by how much difference each one makes. The top row is usually the entire difference between two quotes.
| What changes | Effect on price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Moving fixtures | Very large | Opening the floor, relocating drains and vents, licensed plumber time. |
| Tub to shower | Large | Drain relocation plus a fully waterproofed and sloped base. |
| Tile size and pattern | Moderate to large | Large-format needs a flat floor; mosaic and herringbone need cuts and alignment. |
| Glass enclosure | Moderate | Frameless glass is measured after tiling and costs several times a framed door. |
| Fixture and vanity tier | Moderate | One of the easiest places to spend or save without changing the work. |
| Subfloor repair | Variable | Unknown until the old floor is up; worth a contingency. |
| Room size | Scales, but not linearly | Waterproofing, plumbing and setup barely change with size. |
Getting a number
Why there isn't a price on this page.
Typical range
Ask for a figure
We publish real numbers rather than "it depends" — but only once they're ours to publish. Our written ranges are being finalised; call and we'll give you one over the phone in a minute. What moves the number:
- Whether the layout stays put — the single biggest fork
- Tub-to-shower conversion, which moves a drain
- Tile size and pattern, and the levelling each demands
- Vanity, fixture and glass tier
- Subfloor condition once the old floor is up
- Ventilation, and whether the existing fan actually vents outside
Questions
Costs, answered.
What makes one bathroom quote so much higher?
Almost always whether the layout moves. Keeping the toilet, sink and tub where they are avoids opening the floor and moving drains, which is the single largest jump available in a bathroom budget.
Is a tub-to-shower conversion expensive?
Moderate, and usually worth it if nobody uses the tub. The drain typically has to move and the floor has to be opened, so it is a plumbing job as well as a tiling one — but it changes the room more than any finish choice.
Why does tile size change labour so much?
Large-format tile is unforgiving of a subfloor that is not flat, so it brings levelling work with it. Mosaic and herringbone bring cuts and alignment. Standard-format tile on a flat floor is the quickest surface in the room.
Do I need to move the vent?
If the existing fan is undersized or vents into the attic rather than outside — which is more common than it should be — then yes, and it is worth doing. A bathroom that stays damp destroys the work you just paid for.
Related
Other things we build.
Free estimate
Get a real number.
Fill this in and we'll get back to you to book a site visit — usually the same day.
Or call directly(647) 473-3454