Condo bathroom renovation in Toronto requires a contractor who understands building rules, plumbing stack constraints, and waterproofing over concrete subfloors. We renovate condo bathrooms in downtown high-rises, midtown buildings along Yonge, and condo communities in Markham, North York and Mississauga. Every project starts with a building approval package and ends with a final inspection by your concierge.
Building Approval Process
Every Toronto condo bathroom renovation needs management approval before any tools come on site. The application package includes:
- Detailed scope of work and floor plan
- Schedule with start and end dates
- Contractor insurance certificate naming the corporation
- WSIB clearance certificate
- Elevator booking and deposit
- Pre-renovation inspection in some buildings
Most buildings approve within 2 to 4 weeks. We file the package, follow up with management, and confirm your start date once approved.
Noise Bylaws and Work Hours
Condo work hours typically run weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Demolition, tile cutting, drilling and core hammering all fall under noise restrictions. Painting, fixture installation and final cleanup can run later in the day. We schedule each phase to fit within the noise bylaw windows so no neighbours are disturbed.
Common Condo Bathroom Sizes
- 4x8 powder room: Toilet and small vanity, often near the entry of the unit.
- 5x8 main bathroom: Most common in older Toronto condos. Tub-shower combo, single vanity, toilet.
- 5x10 primary ensuite: Found in larger units. Sometimes has a separate shower and tub.
- Larger custom ensuites: Found in higher-end downtown units, 8x10 to 10x12 with double vanity, freestanding tub and walk-in shower.
Plumbing Stack Constraints
Condo plumbing stacks run vertically through the building. The toilet, shower drain and kitchen sink connect through these stacks. The locations cannot change. What we can do:
- Shift the toilet a few inches with an offset flange
- Replace the tub with a walk-in shower (using the existing drain location)
- Move the vanity along the same wall
- Add a niche, bench or new tile pattern
- Upgrade fixtures, faucets, lighting
What we cannot do:
- Move the toilet or shower to a new wall
- Add a second bathroom (usually impossible without major stack work)
- Change the bathroom footprint into the unit's living space (in many buildings)
Waterproofing Over Concrete Subfloors
Condo bathroom floors sit on a concrete slab. The slab moves slightly with temperature changes and building loading. Without proper crack isolation, tile cracks and grout fails over time. Our standard concrete subfloor build-up:
- Self-leveling underlayment to flatten the slab
- Crack isolation membrane bonded to the slab
- Waterproofing membrane covering the full bathroom area
- Tile installed in modified thinset
- Epoxy or quality sanded grout
Stacking Rules and Renovation Etiquette
Most condo buildings have stacking rules that prevent two units in the same vertical column from renovating at the same time. If a neighbour above or below is also renovating, your start date may shift. We coordinate with management to navigate this.
Pricing Specific to Condo Work
- Powder room: $10,000 to $18,000
- Standard 5x8 condo bathroom: $28,000 to $42,000
- 5x10 ensuite: $35,000 to $50,000
- Larger primary ensuite: $45,000 to $70,000+
Timeline vs House Bathroom
A condo bathroom takes 3 to 5 weeks vs 2 to 4 weeks for the same scope in a house. The extra week comes from approvals, restricted work hours, and elevator booking windows. Add 2 to 4 weeks for management approval before work starts.