Bathroom renovation in Ottawa: pick the scope, then the tile
Tell us which bathroom, what goes and what stays, and the budget. One independent Ottawa renovation company gets the work order and calls to book a look at the room.
In short
- 01Cosmetic refresh in Ottawa: $7,000–$12,000; mid-range rebuild: $15,000–$30,000; high-end: $40,000–$55,000 and up (HomeStars Ottawa, August 2026).
- 02Tile is usually the biggest single line: installed ceramic runs $9–$20 per sq ft, porcelain $12–$25, marble $25–$50.
- 03A standard full bathroom takes one to two weeks of work in HomeStars' Ottawa guide; moved plumbing or custom tile adds time.
- 04A permit is needed when plumbing is altered or extended; a plumbing-only permit costs $117.
Typical ranges
Source Seen 29.10.2026: HomeStars, Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide for Ottawa (updated 21/08/2026); HomeStars, How Much Does a Home Renovation Cost in Canada 2026 (updated 21/08/2026); City of Ottawa, Comprehensive Building Code Fee Schedule (January 1, 2026); City of Ottawa, Building permit projects; City of Ottawa, Projects not requiring Building Permits
What to ask before you book
- Q1Is the tile priced by the square foot in the quote, and which tile did you assume?
- Q2What do you take out: tile only, or down to the studs and subfloor?
- Q3If the drain or toilet moves, who files the plumbing permit?
- Q4On which day will the toilet and shower work again?
- Q5What do you charge if you open the floor and find a soft subfloor or old leak damage?
Before the visit
- Floor size and wall height in the shower area, measured in feet.
- Photos of the tub or shower, the vanity with its doors open, and the floor at the toilet base.
- A photo or link of the tile you like, with its size.
- Whether another toilet and shower in the house stay usable during the work.
- Any sign of an old leak: a stain on the ceiling below, a loose tile, a soft spot by the tub.
Refresh or rebuild: where the line falls
The scope decides the price band before any tile is picked. Write one of these in the work order:
- Refresh. Tile, paint and a vanity swap. The tub, toilet and drains stay. HomeStars’ Ottawa guide: $7,000–$12,000.
- Rebuild in place. New tile, vanity, toilet and fixtures, with every drain where it was. $15,000–$30,000.
- Rebuild with changes. A tub becomes a walk-in shower in a new spot, the toilet moves, a wall shifts. Add $1,500–$5,000 for the plumbing alone, before finishes.
Example: “Second-floor main bath, 5 by 8 ft, house built 1992. Tub out, tiled shower in the same spot, new vanity and floor. Budget about $20,000.”
Tile is the big line
HomeStars calls tile the largest single cost in most bathroom jobs, from $4,000 to $35,000 depending on the material and the area covered. Installed prices per square foot in Ottawa:
| Tile | Installed, per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Ceramic | $9–$20 |
| Porcelain | $12–$25 |
| Slate | $15–$30 |
| Limestone | $18–$35 |
| Mosaic | $20–$40 |
| Marble or glass | $25–$50 |
A shower tiled to the ceiling with porcelain costs a different amount from the same shower in marble, so put the tile you like in the request. If you have not chosen, ask the quote to show the tile as an allowance per square foot.
Pipes behind the old tile
HomeStars notes that older Ottawa homes, such as those in the Glebe, Sandy Hill and Rockcliffe Park, often have cast-iron or copper plumbing that costs more to work around. Once the wall is open, the company may recommend replacing a run of old pipe. That is a decision for you, written up as a change with its own price.
Altering, adding or extending plumbing needs a City permit. When the work is plumbing only, the permit is a flat $117. A larger job pays $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, so a $25,000 bathroom with a moved drain comes to about $319.
How long you are without it
The Ottawa guide gives one to two weeks for a standard full job, with drywall, ceiling and subfloor prep taking one to two days of that. Custom tile, moved plumbing and structural work take longer. If the house has one bathroom, say so in the request. The company plans the order of work around the day the toilet goes back in.
Who you are dealing with
Ottawa Reno Desk passes your bathroom work order to one independent local renovation company. They call you, look at the room and quote it under their own name and contract.
Questions
01How long is a bathroom out of use in Ottawa?
HomeStars’ Ottawa guide gives one to two weeks for a standard full renovation. Its Canada-wide guide says two to four weeks. Moved plumbing, custom tile or structural work stretch it, so ask for the day the toilet works again.
02What does a small bathroom cost?
Completed jobs listed on HomeStars’ Ottawa guide include a complete renovation under 50 sq ft at $6,000–$8,000, and complete renovations of 50–100 sq ft at $10,000 and up.
03Can a powder room become a full bathroom?
It can, and it is a plumbing job. Adding a shower means new supply and drain lines, which the City counts as altering or extending plumbing, so a permit is needed. HomeStars puts moving plumbing at $1,500–$5,000 on top of the finishes.
04Does a new vanity need a permit?
The City lists replacing kitchen or bathroom cabinets as exempt while the plumbing fixtures stay in the same location. Heritage-designated houses are an exception; check with the City first.
05Is winter a bad time for a bathroom job?
HomeStars’ Ottawa guide says December through March is usually slower for Ottawa contractors and the work is all indoors. Ask the company on the call how its winter calendar looks.