FAQ
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Ottawa?
As indicative 2026 ranges: a powder room $8,000 to $15,000; a standard main bathroom gutted and rebuilt with mid-range finishes and no layout change $18,000 to $30,000; the same room with plumbing relocated, a custom tiled shower and better finishes $30,000 to $55,000. The biggest single driver is whether the plumbing moves, because that brings a permit, inspections and floor work. Age of house is the second, since a 1950s bathroom hides more than a 2005 one.
Do I need a permit to renovate a bathroom in Ottawa?
Only if something changes structurally or in the plumbing system. The City requires a permit for alterations, additions or extensions to a plumbing system, with replacing existing fixtures as the stated exception, and for adding or removing walls. Replacing kitchen or bathroom cabinets is listed as not requiring a permit provided plumbing fixtures remain in the same location, and new flooring is also exempt (City of Ottawa, Do I need a building permit). Confirm your own scope with the City.
What does the Ontario Building Code require in a bathroom?
The current code is the 2024 Building Code, O. Reg. 163/24, in force since 1 January 2025 (Ontario Building Code, O. Reg. 163/24). Three provisions come up in every bathroom. Tile on walls around bathtubs or showers must be applied over moisture resistant backing (OBC 9.29.10.4, Moisture Resistant Backing). The joints between wall tiles and a bathtub or shower must be caulked with a material conforming to CAN/CGSB-19.22-M, the mildew resistant sealing compound standard (OBC 9.29.10.5, Joints between Tiles and Bathtub). And mechanical ventilation is required, with principal exhaust capacity set by bedroom count from 15 litres per second for a one-bedroom dwelling to 45 for five (OBC 9.32.3.4, Principal Exhaust), plus supplemental exhaust to make up the balance (OBC 9.32.3.5, Supplemental Exhaust).
Does the plumber need to be certified?
Yes. Plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario under trade code 306A, and to practise it legally a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, a Provisional Certificate of Qualification or a Certificate of Qualification. The apprenticeship runs 9,000 hours, made up of 8,280 hours on the job and 720 hours in school, and a Certificate of Qualification has to be renewed to stay valid. Holders appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario public register, so you can check (Skilled Trades Ontario, Plumber, trade code 306A).
Where should the bathroom fan vent to?
Outside, through insulated duct where it passes through unheated space, with a proper exterior hood and a damper. Not into the attic and not into a soffit that feeds attic intake vents. An Ottawa bathroom fan discharging into an attic in January puts warm moist air onto cold sheathing, and the result is frost, then staining, then mould. Finding exactly that is one of the most common discoveries during a bathroom demolition in this city.
How long will a bathroom renovation take?
Three to four weeks of working time for a standard bathroom gutted and rebuilt with the layout unchanged. Four to six weeks if the plumbing moves, because of the permit and inspection schedule. A basement bathroom where the slab is broken up runs four to seven weeks. Custom shower glass is measured only after tiling and adds one to three weeks of calendar time at the end, which is worth knowing before you plan around a date.