Bathroom Renovations in the GTA, Hamilton and Halton

Bonded sheet or liquid-applied membranes meeting the ANSI A118.10 standard, installed as one manufacturer's complete system over cement or foam board, never drywall. Sheet membranes give a consistent thickness, which suits large walk-in and curbless showers. Liquid membranes go on in two coats and suit complicated niches and benches. We match the drain, preformed corners and sealant to the same system so the manufacturer's warranty applies.

Yes, on every tiled shower floor. Once the membrane is cured, we plug the drain, fill the shower floor to just below the curb, mark the level and leave it for at least 24 hours. If the level drops or moisture shows below, we fix the leak before any tile is set. Fixing a membrane at that stage costs minutes; finding it after tile means demolition. We photograph the test for your records.

Usually yes, but the floor structure decides how. The shower floor must sit lower than the bathroom floor so it can slope about 2% (1/4 in per foot) to the drain. On wood joists we lower the subfloor between or on ledgers beside the joists; cutting or notching joists needs an engineer and a building permit. Where recessing is impossible, we raise the rest of the floor slightly instead.

Installation of an electric mat under tile typically adds $1,500–$3,000, including the thermostat and a dedicated protected circuit under an ESA permit. A 40 sq ft heated area draws about 480 watts, roughly 7 to 10 cents per hour at Ontario electricity rates. With a programmable thermostat set for mornings and evenings, most families notice little change on the bill. Mats go under tile or stone, not vinyl.

The Ontario Building Code minimum is commonly understood as 25 L/s (about 50 cfm), but we usually install 80–110 cfm in full bathrooms because long duct runs reduce rated airflow. The fan must vent outside through an insulated duct, not into the attic or a soffit. A humidity-sensing or timer switch keeps it running long enough after a shower to protect paint, grout and ceiling drywall.

Plan on about 3 to 4 weeks for a main bathroom, 4 to 6 weeks for a large ensuite and 1 to 2 weeks for a powder room. Frameless glass is measured after tile and takes one to three weeks to fabricate, so we hang a temporary curtain rather than keep the room closed. If it is your only full bathroom, tell us at the site visit and we will build the schedule around that.

If your basement has no drain low enough for gravity flow, you need one or the other. Our rule: one toilet and a sink can work with an upflush (macerating) system certified to CSA B45.9, typically $1,500–$3,000 installed with no slab cutting. For a full bathroom with a shower, a sewage ejector pit in the slab is more reliable and quieter, typically $3,500–$6,000. Both need a plumbing permit, power and a vent.