Almost every homeowner dreams of one day completing their ideal bathroom renovation. While it’s great to envision what you want, it won’t help you to actually complete the project. Any bathroom renovation, whether it’s your powder room or guest bathroom, can be a huge undertaking. From choosing the right tiles and paint colours to ensuring your demolition is done properly, you have to consider multiple factors. By following this easy step-by-step guide and enlisting the help of a local bathroom renovation contractor, you will be able to actually complete your project instead of just dreaming about it.
Step 1: Make a List of Tasks
Whether you are planning a whole or partial bathroom renovation, start the process by making a list of tasks you want to complete. List all the changes, replacements and any new additions you would like to have. For example, if you want to install a new sink with more cabinet space under it but want to keep the light fixtures in the same position, then specify this in your list. This will help the contractor you hire to get a complete picture of your requirements and to build an estimate for you. A list will also help you identify any specific areas of improvement you might have missed while making the plans in your head.
Step 2: Cleaning and Demolition
Before working on any type of replacement or installation, the contractor will have to clean every part of the bathroom and demolish some key areas. If you’re planning to renovate the whole bathroom, the contractor will have to demolish the fixtures, tiles, parts of the ceiling and walls as per your requirements.
Cleaning and demolition will take a lot of time and will have to be done carefully. If a specific part of the bathroom is demolished by mistake which was not supposed to be torn down, it can cost you heavily to replace or rebuild it. We recommend you be very specific when it comes to any type of demolition as it can’t be undone once started.
Step 3: Electrical and Plumbing Work
Once all the necessary cleaning and demolition work is done, a plumber and electrician will complete their part of the job in the renovation project. Any bathroom renovation project can’t be completed without electrical and plumbing work. You will need an electrician to add new switches or dimmers, install light fixtures and complete any internal electrical work. Similarly, if you’re installing a new bathtub, new toilet or a new sink, a plumber will be required to connect the water supply to these new fixtures.
Bathroom renovation contractors in Canada employ or know qualified plumbers and electricians to complete these tasks. Although you won’t have to hire a plumber or electrician separately, ensure that the bathroom company you are using is only working with licensed plumbers and electricians.
Step 4: Install or Repair Drywall and Ceiling
Hanging new drywall or replacing your popcorn ceiling with a smooth one is a qualified painter’s job. Doing these massive tasks will provide a finishing look to your bathroom. A painter or drywall specialist can help you with these tasks.
You can hire a local painter to complete these tasks separately or ask your contractor to hire one for you. We recommend you do the latter, as it will be easier for everyone to communicate and finish the project with professional coordination.
Step 5: Install Tiles
After the walls and ceilings are done, it’s time to add some new flooring to your bathroom. While there are many options on the market, the best materials are usually porcelain and ceramic tiles.
Based on the size of your bathroom, it may take up to 6-8 hours to install new tiles on the floor alone. It is important to install the tiles in a straight line to avoid a crooked floor. Remember, this will be one of the first things you’ll be seeing in the morning so you want it to be as straight and aesthetically pleasing as it can.
After cleaning and demolishing the floor in step 2, the contractor will take measurements of the floor to create an estimate of how many tiles you may require.
Step 6: Bathroom Fixtures
After completing step 3, the contractor will start preparing the material for all the new bathroom fixtures. Once the wall, ceiling and tile work are completed, all the heavy work will begin from here. Be it installing a new bathtub or a shower room, these new bathroom fixtures can take up to 2 days to complete. In this step, you can also install new tiles inside the shower stall or on the walls to complement your bathroom fixtures. Based on your bathroom fixtures’ size and shape, a pro can carefully cut and install the tiles for the best aesthetic appearance.
While installing the bathroom fixtures, the contractor will connect them to plumbing and electrical sources as required. Here again, an electrician and plumber will come in handy. The same team of electricians and plumbers will be completing these tasks as well.
Step 7: Place Furniture and Shelves
After all the heavy fixtures, paintwork and floor work is done, the contractor can install the furniture like shelves and cabins. Installing the furniture at this stage will protect it from any paint splatter and accidental damages. You can buy the furniture yourself, ask the contractor to buy it on your behalf or just mount the old furniture with new paint. When you make an initial list in step one, make sure you add these details related to furniture and shelves in it as well.
Step 8: Final Clean Up
A renovation project leaves a lot of dust, debris and mess. Be it old furniture and fixtures you want to get rid of, paint clothes, wall and ceiling fragments and empty boxes of new fixtures, everything needs to go into the garbage. Sometimes the size of this debris is 3 times bigger than your garbage can. Here, a junk removal contractor will take care of disposing of the garbage without giving you a headache.
How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost?
Every bathroom renovation project is different. Based on the changes you’re making, your timeline, the size of your bathroom and the cost of materials, the budget for this project can change drastically. Here’s how much a bathroom renovation project can cost you in Canada:
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Barrie | $13,310 | $1,000 | $50,000 |
| Calgary | $12,151 | $1,000 | $50,000 |
| Edmonton | $11,472 | $1,000 | $50,000 |
| Guelph | $12,447 | $1,200 | $30,000 |
| Hamilton | $13,372 | $1,050 | $40,000 |
| Oshawa | $11,993 | $1,100 | $50,000 |
| Ottawa | $13,768 | $1,000 | $50,000 |
| Toronto | $13,372 | $1,000 | $50,000 |
| Vancouver | $11,401 | $1,000 | $49,947 |
| Winnipeg | $6,911 | $1,500 | $12,000 |
*costs based on 1,778 real homeowner reviews as of Nov 2020
A successful bathroom renovation project requires going through each of these steps carefully. Even the smallest mistake can cost you in terms of time and money. If you try to take on this project DIY style, it can last for months with no end in sight. Hire a local bathroom renovation specialist to actually complete the bathroom renovation of your dreams.
