Bathroom Renovation FAQ — Vancouver Homeowners
Real answers to the questions Vancouver homeowners ask before starting a bathroom renovation
How long does a bathroom renovation take in Vancouver?
Most standard bathroom renovations — a full 5×8 main bathroom or a tub-to-shower conversion — take 7 to 10 business days from demo to handoff. Larger ensuites or projects involving plumbing relocation or layout changes can run 2 to 3 weeks.
The single biggest cause of delays is materials not being on-site before work begins. We confirm all tile, fixtures, and finishing items are sourced and ready before we schedule your start date.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Vancouver?
Bathroom renovation costs in Metro Vancouver typically range from $5,000 for a basic refresh up to $60,000 and above for a fully custom ensuite. A mid-range full renovation of a standard 5×8 bathroom runs approximately $14,000 to $25,000, including labour, tile, vanity, fixtures, waterproofing, and finishing. A full gut renovation with layout changes starts at $25,000. For a full breakdown see our Vancouver bathroom renovation cost guide.
Do you provide all-in fixed pricing?
Our labour and scope of work is quoted at a fixed price — what we quote is what you pay for the work itself. Finishing items like tile, vanity, fixtures, and accessories are quoted with allowances, because we don’t know what you’ll choose until you choose it. We have trade accounts with several large Vancouver tile and fixture suppliers and pass those discounts directly to you. If your selections come in under the allowance, you pay less. If you go above, you’ll know before anything is ordered.
Do I need to figure out colours and design on my own?
No. With nearly two decades designing bathrooms, we guide you through tile selection, layout, fixture finishes, and the overall look — no separate designer required for most projects. We’ll walk you through options at our supplier showrooms so you see materials in person before committing. If your project is large and complex and you want a licensed interior designer involved, we can bring one in or work alongside one you hire.
Should I replace my vanity — and do my bathrooms need to match each other?
On vanities: you can purchase a ready-made vanity from Home Depot or Rona and we install it, or we custom-build one to your exact dimensions and style. For countertops, if the vanity comes with one, no issue. If not, we typically fabricate in quartz. On matching finishes: in detached houses, the master ensuite is the showcase bathroom — it earns the best tile, the best fixtures, the most considered design. Your other bathrooms don’t need to match it and shouldn’t try to. Consistency in a few details like hardware finish or grout colour ties them together without forcing them to be identical.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom renovation in Vancouver?
Most bathroom renovations in Metro Vancouver do not require a permit if you’re not moving plumbing, altering structure, or adding new electrical circuits. Replacing a vanity, retiling a shower, swapping a tub for a walk-in shower within the existing footprint typically doesn’t trigger a permit requirement. Where permits are required, we handle the application. Unpermitted work that should have been permitted creates real problems when you sell your home.
What is a tub-to-shower conversion and is it worth it?
A tub-to-shower conversion removes an existing bathtub and replaces it with a walk-in shower in the same footprint. It’s one of the most requested renovations we do, particularly in detached homes where a second tub elsewhere makes the main bathroom tub redundant. A properly done conversion using a waterproofing membrane system like Schluter KERDI eliminates future leak and mould risk and produces a shower that will outlast the house. Most homeowners who convert say they should have done it years earlier.
What should I watch out for when hiring a bathroom renovation contractor in Vancouver?
Be cautious of quotes that itemize unnecessary work to inflate the total — recommending structural or plumbing changes that aren’t actually required is a common tactic. Ask what waterproofing system will be used in your shower and get a specific answer. Make sure all plumbing and electrical work is done by licensed trades — in BC this is a legal requirement. And get a fixed price in writing before any work begins, not a time-and-materials estimate that can expand without limit.
Ready to Talk About Your Bathroom?
Fixed price. Licensed trades. No surprises once the walls are open.