2026-03-30 · MTC Renovations

Bathroom Renovation in Burlington: Costs, Trends & What Homeowners Need to Know

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Burlington homeowners are investing heavily in their bathrooms — and for good reason. A well-executed bathroom renovation delivers daily quality-of-life improvements and strong returns at resale. Whether you’re updating an outdated ensuite in a Millcroft home or adding a second bathroom to a lakeside property, here’s what you need to know about costs, timelines, and what’s trending in Burlington in 2026.

What Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Burlington?

Bathroom renovation costs vary widely depending on the size of the room, the scope of work, and the finish level. Here’s what Burlington homeowners are spending:

Basic Update: $15,000 – $22,000

A basic update replaces the major fixtures (toilet, vanity, tub or shower surround) and refreshes the tile without moving any plumbing. This is the most cost-effective way to modernize a dated bathroom.

What’s typically included:

  • New vanity and sink
  • New toilet
  • Tile surround replacement (tub or shower)
  • New flooring
  • Lighting and exhaust fan
  • Paint and caulking

What’s not included: moving walls, relocating plumbing, or adding square footage.

Mid-Range Full Renovation: $22,000 – $38,000

A full gut involves removing everything down to the studs and rebuilding. This is the right approach when the existing layout has moisture damage, when you’re changing the shower/tub configuration, or when you want a completely fresh start.

At this level you’re typically getting:

  • Walk-in shower with custom tile or large-format slab
  • New tub or tub removal if converting to shower-only
  • Heated floors (electric mat — more on this below)
  • Custom or semi-custom vanity
  • New exhaust fan with timer
  • Mid to high-end fixtures throughout

Ensuite or Luxury Renovation: $38,000 – $65,000+

High-end Burlington renovations — think Alton Village or Tyandaga ensuites — often include:

  • Large-format porcelain tile (24x48 or slab material)
  • Curbless walk-in showers with linear drains
  • Freestanding soaker tubs
  • Double vanities with vessel sinks or undermount sinks
  • Smart mirrors with integrated lighting and defogging
  • Heated floors throughout

Burlington-Specific Considerations

Newer Subdivisions

Much of Burlington’s housing stock was built from the 1990s through the 2010s — subdivisions like Millcroft, Orchard, Palmer, and Alton Village. These homes were often built with builder-grade bathrooms: basic tiles, stock vanities, and standard fixtures that haven’t aged well aesthetically even if they’re still functional.

The good news: newer construction typically has good bones. Plumbing is PEX or copper, subfloors are in good shape, and there are no hidden surprises with knob-and-tube wiring. Full gut renovations in these homes tend to proceed without major unexpected costs.

Lakeside and Older Properties

Burlington’s older lakeside neighbourhoods (near Lakeshore Road, Shoreacres, and Aldershot) have homes with more character — and more potential for surprises. Older galvanized plumbing, cast iron drain stacks, and asbestos floor tile (in homes built before 1980) can add to project costs. We always do a walkthrough assessment before quoting to flag anything that could affect budget.

Walk-In Showers

The single most popular upgrade we’re doing in Burlington right now. Removing an old tub-shower combo and replacing it with a custom walk-in shower instantly modernizes the space and makes it feel larger. A curbless (zero-threshold) entry is increasingly requested for accessibility and for the clean, spa-like look.

Cost to add a walk-in shower in an existing footprint: $6,000–$15,000 depending on size and tile.

Heated Floors

Electric radiant heat mats installed under tile are a genuine quality-of-life upgrade and one of the most popular add-ons we install in Burlington bathrooms. The cost is modest relative to the enjoyment:

  • Electric mat cost: $400–$800 for a typical bathroom
  • Installation labour: $300–$600
  • Thermostat: $150–$300

Total add-on cost for heated floors: roughly $1,000–$1,500 in most bathroom renovations. One of the best dollar-for-experience ratios in renovation.

Larger-Format Tile

The shift away from 12x12 tiles is complete. Burlington homeowners are choosing 24x24, 24x48, or even slab-look porcelain for a more seamless look. Fewer grout lines mean easier cleaning and a more contemporary aesthetic.

Double Vanities

In master ensuites, double vanities are now expected in higher-end Burlington homes. If the room is large enough, this is a strong resale feature.

Timeline

A typical Burlington bathroom renovation takes 3–5 weeks from demo to completion:

  • Week 1: Demo, rough-in plumbing and electrical (if changes needed)
  • Week 2: Waterproofing, cement board, inspections
  • Weeks 2–3: Tile installation (walls and floors — this takes time to do right)
  • Week 3–4: Fixtures, vanity, glass enclosure if applicable
  • Week 4–5: Accessories, touch-ups, final clean

Tile lead times can affect scheduling. For specialty or large-format tile, we recommend selecting materials early so we can order ahead of demo.

Tips for Hiring a Bathroom Renovation Contractor in Burlington

Verify licensing. In Ontario, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the work must be inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Plumbing changes require a licensed plumber and permit. A contractor who offers to skip this is saving you nothing — the risk falls on you.

Ask for a scope of work in writing. Verbal agreements lead to disputes. A good contractor provides a written contract with the full scope of work, materials specified, payment schedule, and start/end dates.

Check references in Burlington specifically. Weather conditions, local suppliers, and permit offices matter. A contractor with local experience handles these more efficiently.

Don’t pay more than 30% upfront. A reasonable deposit is 10–20%. Anything beyond 30% on a bathroom renovation is unusual and worth questioning.

Ready to Update Your Burlington Bathroom?

We renovate bathrooms across Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, and the surrounding area. Our estimates are free, detailed in writing, and come without pressure.

Request a free bathroom renovation estimate and we’ll get back to you within one business day.