Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms in your home, but can also be very costly to update. Most bathrooms fail over time due to the amount of moisture that is constantly in the room. A renovation done right the first time will give you a bathroom that lasts.
How much does a bathroom cost in Kitchener / Waterloo?
The cost of a bathroom will vary due to many different factors such as age of the home, number of fixtures, quality of finishes and layout changes.
Small bathroom or powder room updates: $5000 to $10,000 + HST
A small bathroom without a tub or shower can be a fairly straightforward upgrade, but there are still a few important things to consider. You can keep it simple with a fresh coat of paint, a new vanity, and an updated toilet. For flooring, options like ceramic, porcelain, or luxury vinyl offer both durability and style. Since there is usually limited water in a small bathroom, you could consider a hardwood floor if you want to match similar flooring in an adjacent room.
Often when you change the flooring and vanity, you will need to replace the baseboards as well.
You may also consider updating or adding an exhaust fan. Many fans get noisy and less efficient over years of use.
Another great way to upgrade your bathroom is by adding custom trim, like crown moulding or wainscoting.
Small electrical upgrades can make a big impact — like swapping out the vanity light, adding pot lights, or installing a dimmer switch. You can even put your fan on a timer.
Average 3 piece bathrooms $20,000 to $30,000 + HST
The typical main bathroom usually includes a bathtub, a toilet, and a vanity with one or two sinks. Many of the same options are available for a main bath as the small bath – the added cost is for the tub or shower area. Water damage in the shower area is one of the most frequent issues found in older bathrooms. Investing in quality fixtures and reliable waterproofing will help extend the life of your renovation. Tile walls are not waterproof and require a waterproof backing. There are a lot of great tile options out there, but you might be surprised to learn that waterproofing often costs more than the tile itself.
Adding a pot light to the shower area is a great way to help lighten the room. We often include a shower niche to help with storage; there are many pre-fab or custom options for niches.
4 piece large bathrooms $40,000 + HST and up
In many homes, the ensuite features a large corner soaker tub that takes up too much space, leaving only a small shower. We can swap it out for a stand alone tub that takes up less room and allows for a larger shower. Making these kinds of changes may require relocating plumbing, and in many cases, a permit will be needed. Popular upgrade options include custom showers with frameless glass, curbless tile bases or more.
How to keep bathroom remodelling costs down?
When renovating a bathroom, it’s best not to cut corners just to save a little money. Investing in high-quality materials ensures a long-lasting, trouble-free space. That said, there are still some smart ways to save without compromising on quality:
- Keep the layout similar to what is there now. Moving or adding fixtures adds plumbing labour and material costs. You may also need to relocate electrical. To move electrical and plumbing we may need to get a building and electrical permit, which also adds to the cost and timeline of the project.
- Stick to standard sizes and avoid custom. There are many shower door kits and shower bases that look great and are a way to save some money over custom tile showers and custom cut glass. There are many great options for vanities that include the counter and sink. Custom vanities may be 3 or more times the cost.
- Start the renovation before it’s too late. Once you notice that your shower tile grout is dark and molding or you have loose tiles – it’s time to get moving on a fix. If it’s just an issue with the shower and the rest of the bathroom is OK, then just do the shower and finish the rest off later.
Options to consider in a bathroom:
A niche is a great option for any tub or shower. We can customize the size to fit your design or install a prefabricated niche to save money but still offer a great look.
In-floor electric heat especially with tile flooring. There is nothing like a nice warm floor to walk on after a hot shower. There are some great programmable thermostat options available.
You can’t have a heated floor without a nice warm towel when you get out of the shower. Heated towel bars are a great option with many styles to choose from.
Curbless showers help with accessibility and also look great. There are also some acrylic shower bases that are less costly than a full curbless tile base.
Pocket doors can be added to a small bathroom to help save room.
Things to consider that may cost more to do your bathroom
Sometimes, a renovation will cost more than expected due to factors you can’t avoid. In older homes, plumbing and electrical problems are common, and fixing them may affect more than just the bathroom.
Working in condos slows down the project due to having to bring materials and tools up and down the elevator. There are often restrictions to working hours and issues with construction noise.
There can be issues with mold and asbestos that may need to be addressed while in the demo stage. Permits and inspections are part of the process, so they’ll add some extra time and cost to your renovation.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many variables involved and things to consider in a bathroom renovation. There isn’t a “one size fits all” price strategy and it is best to work with a professional that will offer the best value for your budget. We can often get you a fairly close estimate from a few pictures and a quick conversation about your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free phone consultation and estimate.