A bathroom is a small room with a lot going on inside it: plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, ventilation, tile and fixtures, all in a few square metres. That is why a small bathroom can cost more per square foot than almost any other room, and why the quality of the work behind the tile matters far more than the tile. This page covers what to look at when you are planning one.
Refresh or full rebuild
A refresh might mean a new vanity, toilet, tub surround and flooring in the same layout. A full rebuild takes everything back to the framing and starts over, usually because of water damage, a layout that does not work, or an ensuite being added. Both are common. We have done an ensuite renovation that you can see in Our Work.
Waterproofing is the job
Tile is not waterproof. What keeps water out of the wall and the floor is the waterproofing layer behind it, the slope of the shower floor toward the drain, and the details around corners, niches and the shower valve. If those are done poorly, the problem shows up months later as rot or mould inside the wall. It is worth asking any contractor exactly what waterproofing system they use and who installs it.
Ventilation
A bathroom fan should be sized for the room, run quietly enough that people actually use it, and vent outdoors instead of into the attic. Skipping it is one of the most common reasons paint peels and mould appears in a new bathroom.
Plumbing and electrical
Moving a toilet, a shower or a vanity means opening floors and walls. Outlets near water need ground fault protection, and lighting and fan wiring should be planned along with the layout. Electrical and plumbing work has to be done by qualified, licensed people and inspected where required. At Decked Out, qualified electricians, plumbers and engineers are brought in where a project needs them, and we manage the trades and the schedule.
Plan for tomorrow while the walls are open
While the framing is exposed, it costs very little to add solid blocking for grab bars, to plan a curbless shower, or to choose a layout that will still work in twenty years. Doing it later means opening finished walls.
What affects the schedule
Special order tile, custom glass and vanities can take weeks to arrive, and glass is usually measured only after the tile is done. Choosing materials early, and confirming delivery dates, protects the schedule more than anything else.
Permits
Plumbing changes, new electrical circuits or structural work can require a permit in Ottawa. A cosmetic update usually does not. The City of Ottawa can confirm what your plan needs, and your contractor should tell you who is responsible before you sign.
Questions to ask any contractor
What waterproofing system will you use? Who is doing the plumbing and electrical? What is in the written scope, and what is not? How are changes priced? What is the schedule, and what could move it?
Ready to talk about your bathroom?
If you want a quick ballpark first, try the free online estimator, then request a detailed quote. If you would rather talk, call 613-868-3325 or send us a message. We reply within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. You can see recent jobs in Our Work, and there is a page on how homeowners usually finance a renovation.
You may also be interested in our basement and kitchen work, or the full list of services.