Basement Bathroom Renovation Cost

Having a bathroom in your basement is convenient and makes it a more functional space. Updating your basement bathroom is a good way of ensuring the bathroom provides maximum function, comfort, and appeal. If you have a basement bathroom that needs renovation or plans to finish your basement and add a bathroom, Reno Duck can provide the professional renovation services you need.

One reason some homeowners may put off a basement renovation project is the basement bathroom cost. While bathroom renovations can be expensive, understanding the cost to building a bathroom in a basement and knowing how to manage and reduce some of the expenses empowers you to make informed decisions.

On average, the cost to renovate a basement bathroom is between $45-$95 per square foot.

Types of Basement Bathroom

Types of Basement Bathroom Renovation

 There are different types of basement renovations that you can choose from. The first thing you need to establish is why you are embarking on the project. The goal of your renovation will help you determine what type of basement renovation is best for you. Knowing your goal will also help you design a basement that suits your style and functional vision.

These are changes you make to improve the appearance of your basement bathroom. This includes updates like painting the walls, retiling your floors, updating vanity hardware, shower fixtures or lighting fixtures, etc.

Updates like these give your bathroom a fresh look and only deal with cosmetic or surface changes.

Making such improvements are a great way to update your bathroom without incurring high basement bathroom renovation costs.

Bathrooms need to be designed in a way that serves your household’s needs. Since space is typically limited in basement bathrooms, maximizing your bathroom space is important and goes a long way in creating more room and ease of movement. This involves things like tub-to-shower conversion, improving lighting, and incorporating additional storage.

Improving safety in a basement bathroom can be done with a barrier-free shower, installing grip bars and non-slip flooring, etc. The efficiency of your bathroom can be improved with features like a low-flow toilet and water-saving showerheads.

If you plan to make structural changes to your bathroom and change the layout or update your plumbing and electrical systems, your project will be classified as a full bathroom remodel.

The costs associated with remodeling a basement bathroom are generally higher than renovation costs because remodeling is more extensive.

Sometimes a bathroom remodel is necessary to fix issues in the walls or foundation, other times it is done to create a better floor plan.

Average Costs for Different Bathroom Renovation Types

Simple updates$10,000 – $20,000
Functional conversions$25,000 – $50,000
Full remodels$50,000 – $100,000+

Factors Affecting Basement Bathroom Renovation Costs

Determining how much your basement bathroom renovation will cost can help you budget appropriately and know what to expect before embarking on this home improvement project. Here is a breakdown of factors that will affect your basement bathroom innovation costs.

How big your bathroom is will determine how much material you’ll need and how much labour time is needed to complete the renovation.

A larger bathroom will generally translate to higher renovation costs.

The complexity of the bathroom design and what you want to achieve with the space will affect the project’s cost.

If you are remodeling your basement bathroom and the new design is complex, you can expect your basement bathroom cost to be higher than it would be for a simple layout.

The quality of your materials and your selection of finishes will impact the cost.

If you choose luxury finishes and high-end materials, the cost to renovate will be higher than if you go with more affordable options that still give you durability and style.

Certain updates to your basement bathroom will require permits from your city before any work can begin.

These permits come at a cost.

You’ll need to have inspections at different intervals during the project to ensure that the work meets city regulations.

Inspections occur after plumbing, electrical, and HVAC updates. You will need to hire an inspector to review the work.

Hiring professional renovators will increase your costs.

Contractor rates vary, so make sure you get quotes from multiple contractors.

The installation of a bathtub will cost you between $1,179 and $2,490. It all depends on the type of bathtub you plan on installing and the contractor you will be working with. With that being said, you need to decide early enough if you will be installing a new bathtub or not. This is because the decision to install a bathtub will increase the overall cost of a bathroom renovation significantly.

When installing a new bathtub, the cost can be broken down into three: cost of materials, labour cost, and cost of removal & disposal. A new bathtub will cost you $525 to $1,130. Cost of labour varies depending on the contractor you are using. The labour cost will range from $65 to $ 393. While the cost of installing a new bathtub might be high, the return on your investment will be priceless.

The installation of a countertop will cost you between $203 and $1,546. Whether you need a brand-new vanity or simply need to replace the old countertops, there are dozens of countertop materials to pick from.

The cost varies significantly depending on the material. For new countertops, you can expect to spend between $200 and $1,546. The materials for the same project will cost you $131 to $1,310. Removal and labour costs are usually inexpensive for this type of bathroom project. Labour costs will range from $ 65 to $196. The cost of removal will range from $6 to $39.

Are you installing new floors or simply need to replace the old ones? Like with the countertops, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the flooring options. The market is filled with an excess of affordable flooring options. The cost of the materials will range from $458 and $851.

Depending on the materials you choose, you may end up being charged for removal. The cost of removal ranges from $39 to $786. It all depends on the type of materials that need to be removed.
Even though cutting cost is a top priority for you, it is important to keep in mind that the bathroom is prone to high humidity. This means the materials you select have to be water-resistant.

In addition to that, you have to make sure the installation is done by a professional installer to prevent water problems. That way, you will be guaranteed a beautiful finish that also protects the inner layers from moisture damage.

Bathroom lighting will cost you $268 to $458. If you are searching for an inexpensive way to transform the look and feel of your bathroom, lighting might just be the best way to go. Updating the existing lights or adding decorative lights will give your bathroom a facelift almost instantly.


With a lighting project, labour is usually the most expensive part of the project. This is unless you are going for statement fixtures that cost a lot more. While you may want to save some money by installing the lights on your own, it is not the best way to go.

The electrical work is complex, and the last thing you want is to make a mistake that leads to electrocution or a fire event. Apart from replacing lightbulbs, you should always leave the work to licensed electricians.

One of the biggest decisions you will have to make in a bathroom renovation is choosing the design of your new shower. You will have to choose between custom and prefabricated, sliding or pivot doors, plastic or glass and so on. When making your choice, several factors will affect your choice.

The two main factors are the costs and the look of the shower. A shower installation will cost you between $956 and $1,310. The cost of materials required for the installation ranges from $300 to $1,000.


The cost of labour will depend on how complex the project is as well as the contractor you are working with. You can pay as little as $400 in labour costs for a shower installation or as much as $5,000. If your budget allows, do not be afraid of investing in a luxurious shower. This is because the shower is the part of your bathroom you use every day, and if you plan on selling your home soon, a luxurious shower will be a huge draw for home buyers.

The cost of installing a bathroom sink ranges from $415 to $695. If you opt for a double vanity, the cost is most likely to go further up. The cost of materials will be between $100 and $200.

The labour cost will range from $300 and $350. Unless you are an experienced plumber, it is always good to leave the installation work to a plumber.

Unless you plan on keeping your old toilet, you can expect to spend between $602 and $1,271 installing a new toilet. A new toilet will cost $130 to $655, depending on the design, features and brand.

The labour cost will fall between $150 and $457. If your old toilet is in perfect condition, you can simply reposition it and only pay the installation costs.

With this understanding of the costs associated with a bathroom project, it will be easy for you to budget and cut costs where possible. All in all, to get the best outcomes and avoid repeat work a short while down the road, it is always wise to work with an experienced contractor.

Find a contractor that offers a full service to avoid juggling professionals from multiple firms.

Need a basement bathroom renovation quote? Contact our team today!

Basement Bathroom Finishing Costs vs Basement Bathroom Renovation Costs

Many homeowners wonder whether the cost of finishing a basement is less than the cost to renovate a basement. Finishing a basement is more expensive because there are additional costs associated with this project.

The cost to install a bathroom in a basement in Canada depends on your location. In Toronto and the GTA, the cost is  $12,500 and $20,000+.

Your unfinished basement will need to have plumbing and electrical systems installed, insulation, drywall, ceiling, and flooring. You’ll need to add walls for privacy and install a sink, shower, and toilet.

Whereas a basement bathroom renovation updates a bathroom that already has the above fixtures. While replacing some of these items may be part of your renovation plan, if the bathroom is already finished, the task will not be as extensive.

So basement framing costs and other basement finishing costs make basement bathroom finishing more expensive than the average basement renovation cost.

Bathroom Renovation Costs

DIY vs Professional Renovation

Sometimes, homeowners decide to renovate their basements themselves. This may be a good idea if you have some level of skill in construction. Here are some pros and cons of each.

DIY

Pros:

  • Save on labour costs
  • Work at your own pace
  • No strangers walking through your home

Cons:

  • Easy to make costly mistakes
  • The project will take longer to complete
  • No warranty on installations

Professional Renovation

Pros:

  • Guarantee that work will be done correctly
  • Frees up homeowner’s time
  • Warranty on construction

Cons:

  • It’s more expensive
  • Timeframe is based on contractor availability
  • Workers in and out of your home
basement bathroom cost

How to Save on Basement Bathroom Renovation Costs

The cost of renovating a basement bathroom can add up and become quite expensive. Here are some ways to manage costs:

  • Choose affordable materials – Go for affordable materials that are appealing and durable.
  • Choose stock over custom features – Custom options come with a higher price tag. Limiting custom choices allows you to save.
  • Compare prices – Visit different shops to see where you can get the best deals.
  • Install energy-efficient fixtures—To save on utility bills, Opt for energy-efficient and water-saving fixtures in your bathroom, such as a low-flow toilet, water-saving showerhead, and LED lights.

Related Article: All About Adding a Basement Bathroom

Next Steps to Basement Bathroom Renovation

In Canada, bathroom renovations are usually on top of most homeowner’s home improvement lists. Bearing in mind the project is never cheap (costs between $7,785 and $20,000+), you want to get everything right the first time. The last thing you want is to overstretch your finances to the extent of cutting corners towards the end. Now that you understand how much each part of a bathroom renovation will cost, this will help with budgeting.

Contact RenoDuck to get started on your basement bathroom renovation.

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