Planning ranges
| Scope | Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget update | $12,000 – $18,000 | New tub or shower, vanity, toilet, tile, fixtures, existing layout and plumbing locations |
| Mid-range full renovation | $18,000 – $30,000 | Full gut to studs, waterproofing, new tile throughout, glass shower, quality vanity, updated wiring |
| High-end custom ensuite | $45,000 – $70,000+ | Layout changes, curbless shower, freestanding tub, heated floors, custom millwork, premium stone |
Source guide updated 2026-08-20. Confirm the current scope and pricing in your estimate.
What changes the cost?
Moving plumbing
Relocating the toilet, tub, or drain lines adds $3,000–$8,000
Waterproofing
Proper shower membrane systems add $1,500–$3,500 but prevent the most expensive failure a bathroom can have
Permits
City of Toronto plumbing permits apply when drains move. Budget $300–$1,000 including inspections
Older-home surprises
Galvanized or lead supply lines, rotted subfloor, and asbestos-era tile adhesive add $2,000–$10,000 when found
Condo vs house
Condo approvals, restricted hours, and floor protection requirements add 10–20% to labour
HST
Ontario's 13% HST applies to labour and materials — a $22,000 quote becomes roughly $24,900
What each tier actually includes
A budget update keeps every fixture where it stands. New tub or shower insert, vanity, toilet, tile and lighting. Typical GTA ranges in 2026 run $12,000–$18,000. It is the right scope when the bones are sound and the finishes are simply tired.
The mid-range full renovation is a gut to the studs. Old tile and board come out, the shower gets a proper waterproofing membrane, and everything goes back new: tile floor and walls, glass shower, quality vanity, exhaust fan, and updated wiring. Most Toronto projects land here, between $18,000 and $30,000.
High-end custom starts around $45,000. That buys layout changes, a curbless shower, freestanding tub, heated floors, wall-hung fixtures, and custom millwork. Large ensuites with premium stone pass $70,000.
What drives cost in Toronto specifically
The room is small; the trades are not. A bathroom touches plumbing, electrical, tiling, carpentry and glass in about 40 square feet, which is why per-square-foot costs are the highest in the house.
City of Toronto plumbing permits apply when drains move, and ESA inspection applies to new circuits like heated floors. Condos add board approvals, insurance paperwork, and restricted working hours.
Older Toronto homes add their own line items. Galvanized supply pipes that should be replaced while walls are open. Subfloor rot around toilets that only shows during demolition. Tile adhesives and plaster from the asbestos era that require controlled removal. These are common, not rare, in pre-1960s houses.
How to budget
Price your tier, then add 10–15% contingency and 13% HST. If the house is older than 1960, lean toward the full 15%. Decide fixture selections before demolition — mid-project changes are where budgets quietly break. If you are financing, a home equity line is typically the cheapest money for this scale of work.
When the cheap quote is the expensive one
The most expensive bathroom failure is water going where it should not. A low quote that skips the waterproofing membrane, reuses corroded shutoffs, or tiles over questionable board can look fine for a year and then rot the joists under it. Redoing a failed shower costs more than the original renovation. If a quote is thousands below the rest, ask specifically what waterproofing system is included and whether plumbing inspections are being pulled.
Getting a fixed YAREX estimate
YAREX Renovation & Restoration is licensed and insured, serving Etobicoke and the GTA. We inspect the existing plumbing, flag age-of-home risks before demolition, and provide a free written estimate with waterproofing and permits itemized — so the number you approve is the number you pay.
Planning the work
See what the bathroom renovation service includes, how the work runs and what to ask before you start.
Bathroom Renovation in Toronto & Etobicoke