How much does it cost to retile a standard bathroom in Ottawa including labour and materials?

A full retiling of a standard Ottawa bathroom — roughly 40 to 60 square feet of floor and 80 to 120 square feet of walls including a tub or shower surround — typically runs $8,000 to $18,000 all-in for labour and materials, with most mid-range projects landing in the $10,000 to $14,000 range. That is a wide range because the final number depends heavily on your tile selection, the condition of your existing subfloor and walls, and the scope of waterproofing required.

Here is how the costs break down for a typical Ottawa bathroom retile. Demolition and removal of existing tile runs $3 to $8 per square foot — for a standard bathroom, expect $500 to $1,500 for tear-out and disposal. Subfloor preparation and leveling adds $2 to $6 per square foot where needed, and in most Ottawa homes, some leveling is needed. Waterproofing for the shower or tub surround is $3 to $8 per square foot — this is non-negotiable for any wet area and typically adds $500 to $1,500 to the project. Tile materials vary enormously: basic ceramic runs $1 to $8 per square foot, mid-range porcelain $3 to $15, and natural stone $8 to $40. Installation labour runs $7 to $15 per square foot for floor tile and $10 to $20 per square foot for wall and shower tile, reflecting the added complexity of working on vertical surfaces and waterproofed areas.

A few line items that homeowners often overlook: a shower niche adds $200 to $600 per niche for the framing, waterproofing, and tiling. New cement board or backer board for shower walls runs $3 to $5 per square foot installed. Grout and caulk add $200 to $500 for a full bathroom. And if you are adding in-floor radiant heating, that is an additional $10 to $20 per square foot for the heating system plus the cost of an ESA-licensed electrician for the electrical connections.

Ottawa pricing runs approximately 10 to 15 percent below Greater Toronto Area rates for comparable work, which is one advantage of renovating in the capital region. However, costs have been climbing steadily — materials in particular have increased significantly over the past two years.

The single most important piece of advice: always get at least three written quotes that specify the exact scope of work, tile allowance, waterproofing method, timeline, and warranty terms. A quote that just says "retile bathroom — $8,000" without specifying waterproofing, substrate prep, and material grades is a red flag. When you are ready to start collecting quotes, the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com/directory is a good place to find tile contractors who serve your area.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• JC Carpentry
• Prism Services
• Speedy Pete's Inc
• Callandgone