By BuildMan · Bathroom renovations by home builders
A "small" bathroom is where a lot of Toronto homeowners start — a main 5-piece, a cramped 4-piece off the hallway, or a basement bath. It's also the renovation where people are most surprised by the price, because the cost isn't really about the square footage. In 2026, a full gut-and-replace of a small bathroom in Toronto typically runs $18,000 to $30,000. Here's exactly where that money goes, what pushes it up, and where you can realistically save.
The short answer: $18,000–$30,000 in 2026
That range assumes a full renovation — demolition down to the studs, new waterproofing, new tile, a new vanity, toilet, tub or shower, lighting and fixtures, keeping the existing layout. A simple cosmetic refresh (new vanity, toilet, paint, re-caulk, no tile) can come in under $10,000. Moving the layout, adding a curbless shower, or high-end tile and glass can push a "small" bathroom past $35,000. Small doesn't automatically mean cheap, because a bathroom packs plumbing, electrical, waterproofing and tile into a tiny footprint — the same trades as a big bathroom, just in less space.
Where the money actually goes
Here's a realistic breakdown for a small full-gut bathroom in the $22,000 range:
| Line item | Typical share |
|---|---|
| Demolition & disposal | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Plumbing (rough-in + fixtures set) | $3,000 – $5,500 |
| Electrical (lighting, fan, GFCI) | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Waterproofing + tile (labour + material) | $5,000 – $9,000 |
| Vanity, toilet, tub/shower, faucets | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Glass, paint, trim, accessories | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Permits & project management | $1,500 – $3,000 |
The single biggest bucket is almost always tile and waterproofing — not because tile is expensive, but because doing it properly is labour-intensive and skill-dependent. This is the part you never want to cut, because a shower that isn't waterproofed correctly is the most expensive mistake in the whole house.
What pushes the price up
- Moving the layout. Relocating the toilet, tub or vanity means new plumbing rough-ins and a permit — often $2,000–$5,000 on its own.
- Tile choices. Large-format, marble, mosaic feature walls and floor-to-ceiling tile all add labour. A herringbone or full-height install costs far more to set than a simple field tile.
- Curbless / walk-in showers. A zero-threshold shower needs the floor structure modified for drainage — a great feature, but more work.
- Old homes. Toronto's century houses often hide surprises — cast-iron drains, knob-and-tube nearby, rotted subfloor, out-of-square walls. A good contractor prices in a contingency.
- Heated floors and niches. Comfortable and popular, but each adds material and labour.
Where you can actually save
Save on the things you can change later, not the things buried in the wall. Smart places to trim: keep the existing layout, choose a quality mid-range porcelain instead of natural stone, pick a stock vanity over custom, and use a standard framed or semi-frameless glass panel instead of full custom low-iron glass. Don't save on waterproofing, the fan (bathrooms need proper ventilation to avoid mould), or the plumbing rough-in. Materials billed at cost — not marked up — also make a real difference; always ask how a contractor handles materials.
How long does a small bathroom take?
Plan on 2 to 3 weeks for a small full-gut bathroom, including permits and inspections. It's tighter than people expect because the work is sequential — demo, rough-in and inspection, waterproofing (which has to cure), tile, then fixtures and finishing. A one-bathroom home should plan for the disruption; if it's a second bathroom, it's much easier to live through.
Do you need a permit?
If you move plumbing or change electrical, yes — the City of Toronto requires it, and it protects you at resale. A like-for-like cosmetic refresh usually doesn't. You can check requirements through the City of Toronto building permits page, or let your contractor handle the whole process — we do.
The bottom line
For most Toronto homeowners, a small bathroom renovation in 2026 lands between $18,000 and $30,000 done properly, keeping the layout and choosing sensible mid-range finishes. The way to control it is a fixed-price quote after someone actually walks your bathroom — not a number over the phone. If you're weighing a project, our bathroom renovation service page shows the full scope, and homeowners in Peel can compare on our Bathroom Renovation Mississauga page.
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Get My Free Quote →Frequently asked questions
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Toronto in 2026?
A full gut-and-replace of a small bathroom typically runs $18,000–$30,000 in 2026. A cosmetic refresh (new vanity, toilet, paint, no new tile) can be under $10,000, while layout changes, curbless showers or high-end tile can push past $35,000.
Why is a small bathroom so expensive?
Because cost is driven by the number of trades and the waterproofing and tile work, not the square footage. A small bathroom packs plumbing, electrical, waterproofing and tile into a tiny space — the same trades as a large bathroom.
What's the most important thing not to cut?
Waterproofing and ventilation. A shower that isn't waterproofed with a proper membrane, or a bathroom without a good fan, leads to hidden water damage and mould that costs far more than the reno to fix.
Do I need a permit for a small bathroom renovation in Toronto?
If you move plumbing or change electrical, yes. A like-for-like cosmetic update usually doesn't. Your contractor can file and pass the permits for you.