Bathroom Renovation

Elements that make a bathroom last

Waterproofing is the foundation of everything. A poorly waterproofed walk-in shower means a wall infiltration within 18 months. We use Schluter or Wedi liquid membranes depending on the context, not polyethylene film and caulking as we still see too often.

Electric in-floor heating in a 50 sq ft bathroom doesn't consume much, about 500W. It completely transforms the experience in a Montreal apartment in January. We often include it in projects because the marginal cost at renovation time is low.

Floating vanities require adequate wall support. In homes with plaster-on-lath walls, we reinforce before installing.

Small bathroom: maximizing space

Montreal triplexes often have bathrooms of 35–50 sq ft. We know the tricks: built-in shower niche (no falling soap dish), floating vanity that frees up the floor, recessed mirrored cabinet, vertical tiling to visually elongate.

Expanding a bathroom in a triplex is sometimes possible by encroaching on an adjacent closet or moving a non-load-bearing partition. We assess that during the site visit.

Realistic budget

Complete bathroom (35–50 sq ft), all-in : plumbing, tile, vanity, walk-in shower, heated floor, ventilation: $15,000–$28,000. Master bath with freestanding tub, large-format tile, high-end fixtures: $30,000–$50,000.