Is a $5,000 Bathroom Renovation in Ottawa Doable? It’s probably the most common question we get asked.
Let’s be honest, a $5,000 budget for a full bathroom renovation in Ottawa is tight, however it all depends on what result you want to see after the renovation and also a lot will depend on your ability to make smart choices and plan carefully.
Here’s how these factors stack up:
Size: A smaller bathroom generally costs less to renovate.
Scope: A complete gut job will cost more than a refresh.
Materials: Luxury materials like expensive tile and high-end fixtures quickly inflate costs.
Labor: professional trades like plumbers, electricians, tiling and drywall contractors in Ottawa typically charge $50-$100 per hour.
With this starting points in mind let’s crunch some numbers:
Choosing the fixtures:
Toilets: Home Depot offers basic toilets for $200-$500, while higher-end models can reach $1,000+.
Bathtubs: Standard alcove bathtubs start around $300 at Bath Depot, but freestanding or whirlpool tubs can cost thousands.
Mixing valves: you can purchase a reliable brand or a “designer-fixture”, which looks nice, but has no reliable record. Choosing a good shower/tub fixture is tricky. Obviously, you need to know how to get the best value and quality, without compromising on the looks. If you have such experience, you are in luck and can perfectly make this choice on your own. This is an entire topic on its own, and an experienced renovator’s knowledge will certainly be useful for those, who do not know the nuances of the plumbing fixtures like mixing valves.
Waterproofing: some contractors will offer a lower price, but they skip a waterproofing technique and materials and/or will not invite a professional licence plumber, opting to deal with plumbing connections on a DIY level. Some homeowners will be ok with accepting a lower cost vs spending money on such fundamental things. Although this may not affect the immediate appearance of the finished product, and the project may still look very nice, neglecting this step increases the risk of major issues later.
Tiling: Local tile suppliers in Ottawa, like Home Depot, Rona may sell some ceramic tiles starting at $2 per square foot. In specialty stores like Eurotile, Centura, Sarana tile and Olympia there are many choices and the sky’s the limit for any budget. Prices are also higher for porcelain, natural stone, and mosaics. Installation cost also differs based on what material is chosen, since it takes more time working with natural stone, mosaics or tile with a particular pattern.
Refinish instead of replacing: You can certainly opt for refinishing your bathtub, sink, and vanity cabinets, however, depending on what else you are doing, it might be not as cost effective as it seems. To refinish a tub and to buy a new tub, it is almost the same cost. The difference is in the installation of the new tub. But if you suspect the leak of the tub drain and you wanted to change tub surround for updated tile, then this option does not suit you at all, since to find and repair a leak in the existing tub, will be more expensive, than to change the tub.
Another consideration is the aesthetics of the finished project. You may think that to refinish a vanity would be cheaper, but if the vanity style is overall old, repainting the same cabinet would still give you an outdated look, so the money would be spent, but no good result achieved.
How to stay on budget during bathroom renovation:
Project management: If you manage your renovation yourself by coordinating all the necessary purchases, doing some things by yourself, hiring the right contractors when needed and coordinating all sequences for each job.
Refinish, if it makes sense, instead of replacing.
Shop smart: Compare prices at big box stores like Home Depot and Rona, but also check out local suppliers and liquidation yards for deals.
Choose budget-friendly materials. To install vinyl click flooring instead of tile is cheaper, you can even opt to do it yourself, if you are handy, but do not have special tools necessary for tile installation. A stock laminate countertop instead of quartz will certainly help you fit into a very tight budget.
Get multiple quotes: Contact several Ottawa contractors for quotes, ensuring they provide detailed breakdowns of labor and material costs, but make sure you are comparing “apples to apples”, paying attention not just to the price, but what is included and the quality of the materials included (like in the case of waterproofing and mixing valves for shower/tub).
A $5,000 bathroom renovation in Ottawa is achievable only with careful planning, smart shopping, and a willingness to compromise. Prioritize your needs, get creative with your design, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
At Miracle Dream Homes, we have several bathroom renovation packages. The simplest bathroom renovation is a powder room update, which starts at just $2500 for materials only. If this is something you are interested in, or would like to see other packages, please, check our Bathroom Renovation Cost page