How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Vancouver?

A lot of Vancouver bathrooms are small, damp and older than they look. Maybe the caulking keeps turning black, the fan sounds tired, or the tub from 1985 has seen better days. Before you call anyone, it helps to know what fixing it will cost. Here are real 2026 numbers for Vancouver and the rest of Metro Vancouver, and what’s behind them.

You’ve probably seen prices online from $8,000 to $85,000. Both can be right. One is a new vanity, toilet and paint in a condo. The other is a primary ensuite on the west side with a curbless shower and heated floors. “Bathroom renovation” covers a lot of different jobs.

So we’ve split it up by what you’re actually doing, and by where you live.

The short answer: three kinds of bathroom project

What you’re doing	Vancouver cost in 2026
Cosmetic refresh New vanity, toilet, faucet, lighting, fan and paint. Maybe new floor tile. The tub and shower walls stay. Nothing moves.	$8,000 – $18,000
Full renovation, same layout Taken down to the studs. New waterproofed shower or tub, tile, vanity, toilet, fan and lighting. The toilet and drains stay where they are.	$20,000 – $40,000
Ensuite or layout change Plumbing moves, walls shift, or the room gets bigger. Curbless walk-in shower, frameless glass, heated floors, freestanding tub, custom vanity.	$40,000 – $80,000+

Ranges reflect City of Vancouver contractor pricing as of fall 2026 and assume a standard 5′ x 8′ main bathroom or a typical primary ensuite. See the area-by-area section below for how the rest of Metro Vancouver compares.

Most Vancouver homeowners land in the middle. If you’re picturing a new tiled shower, a nicer vanity and better ventilation, and you’re happy leaving the toilet where it is, plan for $20,000 to $40,000.

Where the money actually goes

Here’s how a typical $30,000 Vancouver main bathroom breaks down. Your split will change with your choices, but labour and tile almost always take the biggest bites.

Line item	Typical Vancouver range
Tub or shower (base, walls, valve)	$3,500 – $12,000
Tile and waterproofing, installed	$3,000 – $10,000
Vanity and countertop	$1,200 – $6,000
Glass shower door or panel	$1,500 – $4,500
Toilet, faucets and fixtures	$1,000 – $3,500
Plumbing labour	$2,000 – $6,000
Electrical, lighting and exhaust fan	$1,200 – $4,000
Heated floor (add-on)	$1,000 – $2,500
Demolition and disposal	$1,000 – $3,000
Asbestos testing (homes built before 1990)	About $500 – $1,500
Permits (City of Vancouver) — see permit section below	About $700 – $1,300

The shower is where budgets grow

An acrylic tub with a one-piece surround is the low end. A fully tiled walk-in shower with a built-in niche, a linear drain and frameless glass is the high end. In a wet city like Vancouver, the waterproofing behind the tile matters as much as the tile itself. It’s not the place to save money.

If your quote feels high, look at the tile first. Large porcelain tiles on the walls, with one feature strip, give you a custom look with fewer grout lines and less labour than small mosaic tile everywhere.

Labour is several trades, not one

A small bathroom still needs a demolition crew, a plumber, an electrician, a drywaller, a tiler, a painter, and someone to line them all up in the right order. In Metro Vancouver, labour is often 40 to 50% of the total. Licensed plumbers typically charge around $100 to $140 an hour, and electricians around $95 to $130.

If one quote is far below those rates, it’s fair to ask why. When you’re ready to start comparing, our list of trusted bathroom renovation companies in Vancouver is a good place to begin.

How costs change across Metro Vancouver

The same bathroom can cost a few thousand dollars more or less depending on where you live. It’s less about the tile and more about the homes, the buildings, travel time for trades, and local permit rules. Here’s a plain look at each area.

Area	Compared with City of Vancouver
Vancouver west side	Often higher
Vancouver east side	About the same
North Vancouver and West Vancouver	About the same to higher
Burnaby and New Westminster	About the same to a bit lower
Richmond	Often a bit lower
Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody	Often a bit lower
Surrey, Delta and Langley	Usually the lowest in the region

A general guide only. Your home’s age, the building type and your finishes will move your price more than your postal code.

Vancouver west side

In Kerrisdale, Dunbar, Point Grey and Shaughnessy, bathrooms tend to be bigger and finishes tend to be higher-end. Many homes are older character houses, so expect more work behind the walls. Primary ensuites here often land in the top price band.

Vancouver east side

Mount Pleasant, Grandview-Woodland, Hastings-Sunrise and Renfrew have lots of older character homes and Vancouver Specials from the 1960s to the 1980s. Bathrooms are often small and the plumbing is often original. Budget for pipe updates and asbestos testing, since most of these homes were built before 1990.

Downtown, the West End and Yaletown

This is mostly condos. The bathroom itself may cost less than a house bathroom, but strata rules, elevator bookings, limited parking for trades and set work hours all add time and cost. See the condo section below.

North Vancouver and West Vancouver

The North Shore gets more rain than most of the region, so good ventilation and moisture-resistant materials matter even more. Trades often add travel time for bridge traffic. West Vancouver skews toward luxury ensuites. One thing to know: the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver are two separate cities with their own permit offices, so check which one you’re in.

Burnaby and New Westminster

A mix of towers around Metrotown and Brentwood, townhomes, and older houses. Prices usually sit close to Vancouver or a little below. In older New Westminster neighbourhoods like Queen’s Park, character homes can bring the same surprises as Vancouver’s east side.

Richmond

Many homes and townhouses were built from the 1970s to the 2000s, and bathroom sizes are fairly standard. That usually means fewer surprises and slightly lower pricing. Many townhomes are strata, so the condo tips below still apply.

Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody

Newer homes on Burke Mountain and in Westwood Plateau tend to be simpler to renovate. Older parts of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam may need more updates behind the walls. Port Moody has a lot of condos and townhomes.

Surrey, Delta and Langley

This is usually where you’ll see the lowest pricing in the region, especially in North Surrey, Newton and Langley. South Surrey and White Rock are the exception. Larger homes and higher-end finishes there often price closer to Vancouver’s west side. Older Newton homes may still have galvanized pipes, which are worth replacing while the walls are open.

Wherever you live in the region, you can browse verified bathroom contractors on RenovationFind and see who serves your area.

Renovating a condo or townhouse bathroom

A big share of Metro Vancouver homeowners live in strata buildings. The bathroom work is the same, but the process around it isn’t. Here’s what to plan for:

• Get strata approval first. Most buildings need a written request before work starts. Some also ask you to sign an agreement that makes you responsible for the new work. Allow a few weeks.
• Check the building rules. Work hours, noise limits, elevator bookings, floor protection and where trades can park all affect the schedule and the price.
• Expect to keep the layout. Many condos sit on concrete floors. Moving a toilet or shower drain can mean cutting concrete, and some buildings won’t allow it.
• Plan the water shut-off. Shutting off water may affect neighbours, so it usually needs to be booked with building management.
• Take waterproofing seriously. A leak can reach the unit below. Strata insurance deductibles in BC can be high, and owners are often responsible for them. A properly waterproofed shower is worth every dollar.

What’s popular in Vancouver bathrooms right now

• Tub-to-shower conversions. In small condo and townhouse bathrooms, a walk-in shower makes the room feel bigger and is easier to use as you get older.
• Better ventilation. A quiet, properly sized fan on a timer or humidity sensor is one of the smartest upgrades in a damp climate.
• Large tiles, fewer grout lines. Easier to clean, with fewer spots for mildew to settle in.
• Floating vanities. They show more floor, which makes a small room feel larger.
• Heated floors. Vancouver winters are mild, but tile floors still feel cold on a wet January morning. Expect $1,000 to $2,500.

What makes Vancouver different

Taxes work differently in BC

You’ll pay 5% GST on your renovation. BC’s 7% PST applies to materials and is usually already built into your contractor’s price. It’s worth asking each contractor how they show tax on their quote, so you’re comparing apples to apples.

Asbestos testing for older homes

WorkSafeBC says homes built before 1990 are likely to have asbestos in some materials, like drywall filler, floor tiles, textured ceilings or plaster. Before demolition, a qualified company should test the materials that will be disturbed. For one bathroom, testing usually costs about $500 to $1,500. If it’s found, safe removal is added to the job. Ask your contractor to show you the lab results before work starts.

A damp climate needs the right materials

Vancouver’s rain and humidity are hard on bathrooms. Cheap vanity boxes can swell near a shower, and weak fans lead to mildew on ceilings. Ask about moisture-resistant cabinet boxes, mould-resistant drywall, and a fan vented outside.

Do you need a permit?

It depends on the work, not the room. Here’s the plain version:

• Paint, a new vanity or toilet in the same spot — usually no permit.
• New or moved plumbing fixtures — plumbing permit needed.
• New wiring, lights, a heated floor or a new fan — electrical permit needed.
• Moving walls or making the bathroom bigger — building permit needed, often with drawings.

Every city in Metro Vancouver runs its own permit office with its own fees and timelines. Most homeowners have their contractor handle permits and include them in the quote.

What permits cost in the City of Vancouver

City of Vancouver building and electrical permit fees are based on the value of the work, meaning the cost of materials and labour. The City doesn’t charge a straight percentage. It charges a base fee, then adds a set amount for every $1,000 of work. Plumbing permits are charged by the number of fixtures instead.

Permit	How it’s charged	2026 fee
Plumbing	First 1 to 3 fixtures (toilet, sink, tub or shower)	$282, plus $88.70 per extra fixture
Electrical	Electrical work worth $1,000 – $10,000	$243, plus $79.70 per $1,000 over $1,000
Building	Work worth up to $50,000	$217 for the first $5,000, plus $13.90 per $1,000 after that

Based on the City of Vancouver’s 2026 schedule of fees. Fees change each January, and other Metro Vancouver cities charge differently, so check with your city or ask your contractor before you budget.

What that looks like in real life: A full bathroom that keeps the same layout, with a new toilet, sink and shower, and about $3,000 of electrical work, would need a plumbing permit ($282) and an electrical permit (about $402). That’s about $685. If the job also needs a building permit on $30,000 of work, add about $565, for a total closer to $1,250.

How long will it take?

A cosmetic refresh takes about one to two weeks. A full renovation with the same layout usually runs three to six weeks of work. A larger ensuite can take six to ten weeks. Before any of that, plan time for permits, and strata approval if you’re in a condo or townhouse.

If it’s your only bathroom, ask the contractor how they’ll keep a working toilet for you most nights. Good ones plan for this.

Fall and winter are a good time to book

Bathrooms are indoor work, so the rain doesn’t stop them. Once outdoor season slows down, many renovation crews have more openings. If you book now, you can often use the winter to get permits and strata approvals sorted, too.

Set aside a cushion

Add 10 to 15% on top of your quote. On a $30,000 bathroom, that’s $3,000 to $4,500 you hope you won’t need.

Bathrooms hide water damage well, and Vancouver’s damp climate doesn’t help. A slow leak behind a tub can rot the subfloor for years before anyone notices. Homeowners with a cushion fix it and move on. Homeowners without one end up cutting the heated floor or the nicer tile to make it fit.

What a complete quote should include

Before you compare two prices, make sure they describe the same job. A clear Vancouver bathroom quote spells out:

• The tub or shower system by brand and model, and how it will be waterproofed
• Tile by product name, and where it’s going
• Vanity, countertop, toilet and faucets, and who is supplying them
• Glass door or panel, fan and lighting
• Asbestos testing, if your home was built before 1990
• Which permits are needed and who is pulling them
• Strata requirements, if you’re in a condo or townhouse
• How surprises behind the walls will be priced and approved
• How GST and PST are shown
• Payments tied to finished stages of work, start and finish dates, and warranty on labour

If one quote is thousands lower than the others, the answer is usually on this list.

Should you get three quotes?

Yes, and ask for them itemized. Three quotes for your bathroom will tell you more about your price than any online guide, this one included.

You’re not looking for the lowest number. You’re looking for the contractor who asked the most questions, noticed something the others missed, and put it all in writing. If you’d like help finding them, post your bathroom project and our team will connect you with verified pros in your area.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com