How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take in Toronto?

Thinking about how long you’ll have to wait for your new bathroom to be finished? Bathroom renovations in Toronto usually take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to complete but the actual time frame really depends on a whole bunch of things like the size of your bathroom, how much work needs doing, the materials you want to use, plumbing, permits, inspections and the contractor’s schedule.

A quick little update might be done in a week or so while a complete remodel with new plumbing, electrical work, custom features or major repairs could take much longer. This guide is going to cover what you can expect in terms of time frames for bathroom renovations, all the different stages involved, common delays you might experience, things to think about when it comes to permits, and some practical ways to keep your project moving along. If you’d like a closer look at our full range of bathroom renovation services, you’ll find everything laid out there.

How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?

Most bathroom renovations actually take around 2 to 4 weeks of actual on-site construction. A tiny bathroom with no layout changes might be done in 1 to 2 weeks, while a full renovation could take 3 to 5 weeks.

But if you’re planning to move plumbing around, change the layout, install custom cabinets or order special fixtures, it will typically take longer. Then there are other factors like planning, ordering materials, getting all the permits sorted and inspections to add in before or during construction.

Bathroom Renovation Timeline by Project Type

The type of work you need done is one of the biggest factors in how long your bathroom renovation will take. Replacing old fixtures is usually faster than ripping out the whole room and starting again from scratch.

Small Bathroom Renovation

If you just need to update a small bathroom with no changes to the plumbing, you’re probably looking at 1 to 2 weeks. That’s when you can usually get away with just replacing the vanity, toilet, flooring, lighting, fixtures, paint or just a few bits of tile.

Of course things can get complex if you need to do a lot of demolition work, fix up any water damage, change out the plumbing or use custom materials.

Standard Bathroom Renovation

A standard bathroom remodel is usually done in 2 to 4 weeks. It might involve a bit of demolition, new plumbing, electrical updates, some waterproofing, new tile, flooring, vanity installation, fixtures, mirrors, lighting and painting.

The actual schedule will depend on things like the size of your bathroom, how long it takes to get the materials you need, how well the different contractors can work together and whether or not you discover any hidden problems when you start tearing things out.

Full Bathroom Renovation

A complete bathroom renovation usually takes 3 to 5 weeks. This kind of project usually means you’re going to be ripping out most of the existing finishes and replacing things like the shower or bathtub, the vanity, the toilet, the flooring, the tile, the lighting and the plumbing fixtures.

If you need to change the layout or fix up any damaged framing or subfloors, that’s going to take even longer.

Bathroom With Plumbing or Layout Changes

If you need to move plumbing around, so you can change the position of your toilet, shower, bathtub, sink or drain, you’ll need to do some extra plumbing work. Sometimes you may need to get permits and pass inspections too.

It’s probably going to take about 4 to 6 weeks for a big renovation that involves a lot of plumbing or layout changes, although some projects might get done sooner.

Custom or Luxury Bathroom Renovation

A custom bathroom renovation with things like custom cabinets, specialty tile, heated floors, custom glass, high end fixtures or other made to order products is going to take 5 to 8 weeks or even longer. Sometimes the materials just take a long time to get here which can delay the construction part of the project. For inspiration on what’s possible, take a look at some of our bathroom renovation ideas.

Bathroom Renovation Timeline Comparison

Project Type	Typical Timeline	Common Work
Small Bathroom Renovation	1–2 weeks	Vanity, fixtures, flooring, paint
Standard Bathroom Renovation	2–4 weeks	Tile, waterproofing, fixtures, electrical
Full Bathroom Renovation	3–5 weeks	Complete remodel and new finishes
Plumbing/Layout Changes	4–6 weeks	Fixture relocation, plumbing, possible permits
Custom/Luxury Renovation	5–8+ weeks	Custom cabinetry, specialty tile, premium features

Note: These time frames are estimates only. Your contractor should be able to give you a much more accurate idea of how long your project will take after they’ve had a chance to take a close look at your bathroom and the scope of work.

What Affects Your Bathroom Renovation Timeline?

You might be surprised to know that 2 bathrooms of the same size can take very different amounts of time to renovate. It all depends on the amount of work that needs doing, the condition of the space, the materials you choose and the project requirements.

Bathroom Size and Layout

A compact bathroom with an existing layout is likely to take less of a wrecking ball to, fewer materials to buy, and less time spent installing. Larger bathrooms or projects that involve gutting the space and starting from scratch however will require a lot more up-front planning and coordination.

Scope of Renovation

Swapping out a vanity and some flooring is much faster than rebuilding the whole bathroom from the ground up. The more parts you replace, however, the more different tradespeople and installation stages you’re going to have to deal with.

Plumbing and Electrical Work

Messing with plumbing fixtures or adding new electrical circuits, lighting, outlets, or heated flooring can easily add on to the project timeline. You’ve got to get these tasks done before certain walls and finishes can get closed up again.

Material Availability

Different suppliers and manufacturers have different delivery times for things like tiles, vanities, shower systems, and faucets. Realistically, if some vital component is backordered it can bring the whole project to a grinding halt even if everything else is ready to go.

Hidden Problems

When you start tearing into things though – ripping out the old tiles, pipes, etc. – you might find that there’s been more damage done to the subfloor, the framing, or even the plumbing itself than you ever could have imagined. Which means you’ll have to stop and fix that before you can even think about putting in the new finishes.

Permits and Inspections

And then there’s the issue of permits – if you need one you’ll have to add on extra time for the application, the inspections, and the inevitable things they’ll flag that you’ve got to go back and fix. The rules and regulations vary from place to place so it’s hard to give a one-size-fits-all estimate.

Contractor and Trade Scheduling

A bathroom renovation is a big job that often requires a team of different tradespeople – plumbers, electricians, tile installers, drywall pros, and so on. If you don’t schedule the work out properly with each of these guys it’s easy to end up with gaps in the project timeline.

Bathroom Renovation Process: How Long Does Each Stage Take?

A bathroom renovation typically goes through a pretty standard sequence – from planning and demolishing, through to the rough-ins and waterproofing, then tile installation, fixtures, and final cleanup and tidying up. But some of these stages can overlap each other, and a lot of times you don’t actually start one until the last stage of the previous one is done.

Planning and Design

Typical time: 1–2 weeks

This stage includes taking measurements, checking that the layout is still what you want, picking out your fixtures and finishes, coming up with a design and scope of work, and all that. Our guide on how to plan a bathroom renovation covers this stage in more detail.

Trying to make as many major decisions as possible before construction starts really does help reduce the number of changes you’ll need to make later on.

Material Selection and Ordering

Typical time: 1–4 weeks

Tiles, vanities, faucets, toilets, shower systems, lighting, flooring, and all the other individual components that make up your bathroom should be picked out and ordered before they get needed on site.

Some of the custom or special-order stuff may need even more time to arrive.

Demolition

Typical time: 1–3 days

Out go the old fixtures, tile, flooring, vanity, cabinetry and so on. And when that’s done the contractor gets to poke around and see if there’s any water damage, or structural issues, or any other things that need fixing.

Plumbing and Electrical Rough-In

Typical time: 2–5 days

The plumbing and electrical work needs doing before any of the final walls and finishes get closed up. Unless you’re planning on moving some fixtures or adding new electrical bits – which can take longer.

Waterproofing and Surface Preparation

Typical time: 1–3 days

The wet areas need preparing and waterproofing before you even think about laying tile. And of course making sure that the underlying surface is set up right is crucial if you don’t want water seeping in and causing damage.

Tile and Flooring

Typical time: 3–7 days

Installing tile – that’s going to include wall tile, shower tile floor tile, plus any cutting, setting, drying or curing time, and of course grouting.

Large-format tiles, intricate patterns, multiple surfaces or special materials can all make this stage take a whole lot longer.

Vanity and Fixture Installation

Typical time: 2–4 days

This is where the final bits get put in place – the vanity, toilet, sink, bathtub or shower fixtures, mirrors, lighting, accessories – and all the other individual components that make up the finished bathroom. Final plumbing and electrical connections also get completed here.

Final Finishing and Cleanup

Typical time: 1–2 days

And finally, the contractor comes in to do any last little touches – caulking, hardware adjustments, fixture testing, cleanup, and one last check-over to make sure everything is up to scratch.

Overall construction time: A typical bathroom renovation in Toronto takes around two to four weeks on the job site. However – and it’s a big however – don’t forget to factor in planning, material lead times, permits and inspections which can add weeks to the overall project timeline.

What Does a 4-Week Bathroom Renovation Timeline Look Like?

A four week renovation gives you a rough idea of what to expect for a standard bathroom project. However, the actual work can go in all sorts of directions. This can depend on everything from the complexity of the job to how things go with inspections, site conditions, and the materials you’ve chosen.

Week 1: Demolition and Rough-Ins

The first week of a typical bathroom renovation usually involves some serious demolition – getting rid of the old stuff – as well as throwing away all the junk, making some framing adjustments, getting the plumbing rough-ins in order, and doing some basic electrical work.

If the layout of the bathroom doesn’t have to change all that much, then this stage can usually move along a bit faster. But if things are more complicated then the repairs can drag the schedule out a bit.

Week 2: Waterproofing and Tile Installation

The second week of the renovation usually focuses on getting everything surface-ready, doing some shower waterproofing and laying down the tile.

Wall and floor tiles get installed according to the approved layout – and then you have to wait for the grouting and setting to dry before you can move on to the next stage.

Week 3: Fixtures and Finishing

At the same time the vanity, toilet, shower or bathtub fixtures, lighting, mirrors, accessories and other major components start getting installed. The plumbing and electrical connections also get completed and tested as the work goes on.

Week 4: Final Details and Handover

By the final week, the focus is on finishing touches like trimwork, installing hardware, caulking, making any last minute adjustments, giving the place a good clean, and making a final inspection.

If you need any inspections then you should schedule them according to the permit requirements for your project.

Planning tip: One thing that’s definitely worth doing is ordering up all the major materials before the construction starts in earnest and finalising your design choices as early as possible. That way you can avoid the stress of having to replace items that haven’t arrived on time or having to redo sections of the job that have already been finished.

Even if you do plan everything to the letter, bathroom renovations can still take longer than you expect. Some delays are just outside the control of the contractor, but a bit of better preparation upfront can help reduce the risk of hold-ups down the line.

What Can Delay a Bathroom Renovation?

Hidden Water or Structural Damage

Old bathrooms can contain all sorts of hidden problems like water-damaged framing, subfloors or drywall – which can take a while to fix before you can get on with the renovation.

Plumbing Problems

Outdated pipes, damaged drains or poor previous installation work can all add extra time to the job.

Material Delays

If major components like tiles or fixtures get held up in the supply chain, it can disrupt the whole project.

Permit or Inspection Requirements

You may need permits and inspections which can delay the start of the renovation, or in some cases the completion of it.

Custom Products

And then there are hand-made components like custom cabinetry, glasswork or specialty tile which can take longer to produce and deliver.

Changes After Construction Starts

Changing your mind on things like the layout, fixtures, colors or even just small details like handles and knobs can add an awful lot of extra work to the project – and cost you a lot of money. For more on what to watch out for, check out our guide to bathroom renovation mistakes to avoid in Toronto.

How Long Will Your Bathroom Be Unusable?

Of course, during the renovation your bathroom may not even be fully available. But how much time you’ll need to go elsewhere will depend on what exactly needs replacing and how the contractor schedules the work.

Shower and Bathtub Downtime

A rough rule of thumb is that the shower or bathtub will be off-limits from the moment demolition starts and won’t be usable again until the waterproofing, tilework, fixtures and plumbing are all finished.

You should plan on being without your shower or tub for anything between 1 to 3 weeks.

Toilet Availability

And as for the toilet – if it’s not being replaced or relocated then it might be okay to use it for a while, but as soon as the plumbing, flooring or installation get underway it’ll need to be shut off until the work is done.

Renovating Your Only Bathroom

If you’ve only got the one bathroom in the house, it’s worth asking your contractor for a clear fixture-by-fixture downtime schedule before construction gets underway. You may need to arrange temporary access to another bathroom during part of the project.

How to Prepare for Bathroom Downtime

Before construction starts on your bathroom renovation:

• Check when the toilet, shower, and sink are going to be out of action so you can make arrangements.
• See if you can use a different bathroom in the meantime, or if you need to find an alternative.
• Get your toiletries and personal items out of the way before the renovators start tearing things apart.
• Make sure you can still get to what you need easily, even with the chaos going on.
• Ask when you can expect the bathroom to be working again.

Bathroom Renovation Permits in Toronto

You’ll need to get a building permit for most bathroom renovations, but this depends on what work you’re having done. The City of Toronto says you need a permit for anything that changes the material of the building or the plumbing system. But, as an example, replacing a toilet doesn’t usually need a permit.

When a Building Permit May Be Required

You should check with the City to see what’s required for your specific project before you start tearing things down. Generally a building permit is needed when you’re changing the layout or structure of the room, for example by adding or removing walls or changing the position of the plumbing.

Toronto has some really useful guidance on this stuff, including how to apply for a permit for interior work and plumbing.

Plumbing Requirements

If you’re having any plumbing or drain work done, there may be extra requirements.

Electrical Work

When it comes to electrical work, you need to make sure it complies with the rules in Ontario, and you may need to get it inspected by the right people.

Condo Renovation Requirements

If you live in a condo, there are probably some extra rules you need to follow, so check with your condo corporation before you start work. They may have their own requirements for things like insurance, working hours, elevator bookings, and contractor access.

How Permits Can Affect the Timeline

If you need a permit, make sure you factor that into your project schedule – starting work before you get the permit can cause delays. And make sure you’re not going to have to stop work while you wait for the permit to come through.

How to Keep Your Bathroom Renovation on Schedule

To avoid delays and last minute changes, get all your decisions out of the way before you start the renovation.

Finalize the Design Before Construction

Confirm the layout, what kind of vanity you want, what shower or tub you’ll be getting, what tile and fixtures you’ll be using, what kind of lighting and flooring you want, and all the other finishing touches before you start demolition.

Order Materials Early

Make sure you get all the major materials ordered in good time, and that you know when they are going to arrive.

Check Product Availability

This is especially important for things like vanities, fancy tile, and plumbing fixtures – you don’t want to be stuck waiting for these things to turn up.

Avoid Mid-Project Changes

Changing your mind after the work has started is a recipe for disaster – it will add to the labour costs and cause delays for other trades.

Confirm the Project Schedule

Ask your contractor to give you a written schedule showing what needs to be done, when they plan to start, what materials they will need, and when they expect the inspections to happen.

Choose One Team to Coordinate the Trades

If several different trades are involved, this is really important to get right – it can save you from weeks of delays.

Why Work With a Professional Bathroom Renovation Contractor?

A bathroom renovation is a lot more complicated than just chucking in a new sink, you need to get the plumbing, electrical work, tile, glass, and finishing work all done in the right order or the whole thing falls apart.

A good renovation contractor can sort all this out for you, and make sure the right people are doing the right jobs at the right time. They can also sort out the materials and the trades, and deal with any issues that come up on site.

Coordinated Trades

If you haven’t got a project coordinator then you need to make sure you have a good system in place to keep all the different trades on track – plumbers, electricians, tile people, and the rest all need to be working at the right stage of the project. If you don’t have a good system in place you could end up with weeks of unnecessary downtime.

Clear Project Scheduling

This will give you a much better idea of when demolition, rough-in work, waterproofing, tile work, installing fixtures and final clean up are likely to happen.

Proper Waterproofing

Waterproofing is a big deal – you’ve got to get it just right before laying tile in any wet areas, otherwise you’re stuck facing costly repairs down the line due to moisture problems.

Material Management

Working with a contractor can help sort out all the materials you need and get them delivered at just the right time, so your project stays on track.

Quality Checks

Regular check-ins during construction can actually pay off big time by spotting installation problems before they’ve become a huge pain to sort out.

Why BathBuilt Has Been a Homeowner Favorite Since 2018?

For homeowners in the Toronto area looking to revamp their bathrooms, BathBuilt has got you covered – they provide bathroom renovation services that span design, construction, waterproofing, tile installation, plumbing, electrical work, fixture installation and finishing.

The company works all over Toronto and the GTA, and can take on bathroom renovation projects of all shapes and sizes.

Complete Bathroom Renovation Services

BathBuilt can handle every aspect of your bathroom renovation – from custom designs to walk-in showers, bathtub installation, bathroom vanities, tile installation, waterproofing, flooring, lighting, plumbing and electrical work.

Coordinating all the different elements of a renovation through one company can make life so much easier when it comes to scheduling.

Project Management

BathBuilt is upfront about how they handle bathroom renovations – they assign dedicated project managers to take care of trades, materials, scheduling, installation and the final project details.

Waterproofing and Tile Installation

Waterproofing is a critical stage of any bathroom renovation because, let’s face it, you can’t put tile and other finishes in the bathroom without first protecting it from moisture.

BathBuilt has got all the services you need to get bathroom waterproofing and tile installation done – including options like Schluter® waterproofing systems, porcelain tile, ceramic tile, large-format tile and natural stone finishes.

Toronto and GTA Service Areas

BathBuilt serves up bathroom renovation services to homeowners all over Toronto and the GTA – that’s all sorts of neighbourhoods like North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Mississauga, Brampton, Aurora, Newmarket, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Milton, Burlington and Oakville.

Conclusion

A typical bathroom renovation in Toronto can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks of actual construction work – but that can vary significantly depending on the scope of the job.

Planners who get ahead of the game by getting their design sorted early, ordering materials on time and working with a contractor who can handle all the different trades will find their renovation stays on track. And if you’re planning a bathroom renovation in the Toronto or GTA area, BathBuilt has got the expertise to help manage your project from planning to final installation and finishing. Get in touch with us to talk through your project.

Plan Your Bathroom Renovation with Bathbuilt in Toronto & GTA

A typical bathroom renovation can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to complete, but every project is different – the size of the space, the materials you choose, plumbing changes, custom materials, permits and all sorts of other factors can all add up to extend the timeline.

The key to avoiding nasty surprises? Plan your layout and materials early, get all the permits you need and get a clear construction schedule nailed down before the demolition begins.

If you’re planning a bathroom renovation in the Toronto or GTA area, BathBuilt is there to help you coordinate the whole thing, from planning through to installation and final finishing. Learn more about our team or browse our full bathroom renovation services to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bathroom Renovation Timelines