If you’re planning to retile a bathroom in Ottawa, the tile itself is only one part of the cost.

Demolition, surface preparation, waterproofing, installation, disposal and repairs behind the old tile can account for as much of the budget as the tile itself. Two bathrooms with the same floor area can therefore have very different project prices.

For a typical 5-by-8-foot bathroom, we price a retiled floor and tub surround (about 100 sq. ft. of tile) at roughly $1,200 to $3,500 for tile removal, surface prep and installed ceramic or porcelain. The floor on its own works out to about $480 to $1,400. Waterproofing, new backer board, substrate repairs and plumbing changes are priced on top and can push the total substantially higher.

A tiled walk-in shower is a different scope. Once the project includes a shower pan, drain, waterproofing, niches, benches, plumbing or glass, the budget moves well beyond a basic retile: custom tiled shower packages run $9,000 to $14,000.

Ottawa bathroom retile costs at a glance

Project	Ottawa cost
Bathroom floor only (about 40 sq. ft.)	$480 to $1,400 for removal, prep and installed ceramic or porcelain
Floor and tub surround (about 100 sq. ft.)	$1,200 to $3,500 before waterproofing, backer board and repairs
New shower installation	$4,500 to $8,000
Custom tiled walk-in shower	$9,000 to $14,000
Plumbing relocation	$1,500 to $5,000
Complete bathroom renovation	$15,000 to $55,000

Prices vary depending on the scope being measured. A tile-only installation, a complete shower rebuild and a full bathroom renovation should not be compared as though they are the same project.

The condition of the existing bathroom can also matter more than its square footage.

What does it cost to retile a bathroom in Ottawa?

For a standard 5-by-8-foot bathroom where the layout stays the same, a floor and tub-surround retile works out to roughly $1,200 to $3,500 for tile removal, surface prep and installed tile, with waterproofing, backer board and repairs priced on top.

A full retile quote may include:

Removing the existing tile
Removing damaged wallboard or backer board
Preparing the floor
Preparing the tub surround
Waterproofing the wet area
Installing new tile
Grouting
Caulking
Finishing exposed edges
Removing construction debris

That assumes the existing plumbing stays where it is and there are no major structural problems hidden behind the tile.

The hidden condition of the bathroom is one of the biggest sources of price variation.

Once demolition begins, the contractor may discover water damage, a damaged subfloor, unsuitable previous waterproofing, loose framing or several layers of old tile and mortar.

Any of those can increase the cost.

Why bathroom size doesn’t tell you the whole story

A bathroom might have only 40 square feet of floor, but that doesn’t mean you can multiply 40 by a tile installation price and get the renovation cost.

The contractor still has to:

Set up and protect the work area
Remove the toilet where necessary
Demolish the existing tile
Remove and dispose of debris
Inspect and prepare the substrate
Make cuts around the toilet flange, walls and door
Install the new tile
Grout and caulk the finished installation
Clean up the work area

If the walls are being retiled as well, there is additional demolition, preparation and installation.

A shower or tub surround also introduces waterproofing and additional detailing around corners, plumbing penetrations and changes of plane.

That is why two bathrooms with the same floor area can have very different quotes.

A realistic example: 5-by-8 bathroom

Consider a conventional 5-by-8-foot Ottawa bathroom with:

A standard bathtub
A three-wall tiled surround
A tiled floor
No plumbing relocation
Standard ceramic or porcelain tile
No major structural repairs

Taking the floor as 40 sq. ft. and a three-wall surround tiled to about six feet as roughly 60 sq. ft., our per-square-foot rates work out like this:

Work	Rate	About 100 sq. ft.
Tile removal	$2 to $5 per sq. ft.	$200 to $500
Surface preparation	$1 to $5 per sq. ft.	$100 to $500
Ceramic tile, installed	$9 to $20 per sq. ft.	$900 to $2,000
Porcelain tile, installed	$12 to $25 per sq. ft.	$1,200 to $2,500
Waterproofing, backer board and repairs	Quoted per job	Not included
Total before waterproofing and repairs		$1,200 to $3,500

Waterproofing, new backer board, toilet removal and any repairs behind the old tile are quoted on top, which is why a bathroom containing only a few hundred dollars’ worth of tile can still become a several-thousand-dollar project.

The exact split depends on the existing installation, tile selection, amount of demolition and condition of the substrate.

Bathroom tile cost per square foot

Published Ottawa pricing varies considerably by material and scope.

Installed tile in Ottawa typically runs:

Ceramic: $9–$20 per sq. ft.
Porcelain: $12–$25 per sq. ft.
Slate: $15–$30 per sq. ft.
Limestone: $18–$35 per sq. ft.
Mosaic: $20–$40 per sq. ft.
Marble: $25–$50 per sq. ft.
Glass: $25–$50 per sq. ft.

These figures are useful as a market benchmark, but they should not be treated as the total cost of retiling a bathroom. Installation pricing may or may not include demolition, substrate preparation, waterproofing and other project-specific work depending on the quote.

A homeowner should also be careful when comparing per-square-foot prices between contractors. One contractor may quote tile installation only, while another may include preparation and setting materials.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic is often one of the more economical options for bathroom walls and tub surrounds.

It is generally easy to cut and is widely available in standard sizes and finishes.

Porcelain tile

Porcelain is denser than standard ceramic and is commonly used for bathroom floors as well as walls and showers.

Large-format porcelain can require additional substrate preparation because the surface needs to be sufficiently flat for the tile format. Larger pieces can also require more careful handling during installation.

Natural stone

Marble, slate and limestone generally cost more than basic ceramic or porcelain.

The installation can also require additional care because natural stone pieces may vary in colour, thickness and pattern. Some stone products also require sealing according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Mosaic

Mosaic is commonly used on shower floors because smaller pieces make it easier to accommodate changes in slope toward the drain.

The trade-off is additional grout and installation work. A mosaic has substantially more joints than a large-format tile covering the same area.

Glass tile

Glass tile can require more careful installation than standard ceramic or porcelain.

With translucent products, the setting material and substrate can affect the appearance of the finished installation. The installer should follow the tile manufacturer’s requirements for the appropriate adhesive or mortar.

How much does it cost to retile a bathroom floor?

A bathroom floor is generally a simpler project than rebuilding a tiled shower.

For a 5-by-8 bathroom floor of about 40 sq. ft., installed rates of $9 to $25 per sq. ft. for ceramic or porcelain come to $360 to $1,000. Add tile removal at $2 to $5 per sq. ft. ($80 to $200) and surface prep at $1 to $5 per sq. ft. ($40 to $200), and the floor runs about $480 to $1,400 before any subfloor repairs.

The work can include:

Removing the toilet
Removing existing tile
Removing old adhesive or mortar
Inspecting the subfloor
Repairing damaged areas
Levelling or flattening the floor
Installing an appropriate underlayment or uncoupling system where required
Installing tile
Grouting
Caulking
Resetting the toilet
Installing transitions or edge trim

The tile itself may account for only a few hundred dollars.

The rest of the cost comes from labour, preparation, demolition, setting materials and finishing.

How much does it cost to retile a tub surround?

A standard three-wall tub surround is more involved than a bathroom floor.

The installer has to deal with vertical walls, corners, plumbing penetrations and the transition between the tub and wall.

A typical scope may include:

Remove the existing tile.
Remove damaged or unsuitable wallboard.
Inspect the framing.
Install the appropriate substrate.
Waterproof the wet area.
Install the tile.
Grout the tile.
Seal changes of plane with the appropriate sealant.
Finish exposed edges.

For a bathroom where both the floor and tub surround are being replaced (about 100 sq. ft. of tile), removal, prep and installed tile come to roughly $1,200 to $3,500. Backer board, waterproofing and repairs are quoted on top.

A project can move above that range when the installer finds significant water damage, damaged framing, unsuitable substrate or other hidden problems.

A walk-in shower is a different price category

A tiled walk-in shower should not be priced as though it is simply a larger tub surround.

The shower assembly has several components that need to work together:

Shower pan or properly formed shower floor
Drain
Correct floor slope
Waterproofing
Corners and seams
Pipe penetrations
Shower valve openings
Niche waterproofing
Bench waterproofing where applicable
Curb or curbless transition

If those components are not installed correctly, the finished tile can look good while water is getting into the structure behind it.

Most Ottawa homeowners pay $4,500 to $8,000 to install a new shower, while custom tiled shower packages run $9,000 to $14,000. Where a project lands depends heavily on what it includes.

A straightforward shower and a custom shower with a linear drain, curbless entry, bench, niche, large-format tile and frameless glass are different scopes and should be quoted separately.

Waterproofing is not a cosmetic detail

Tile and grout are not the waterproofing system.

In a shower or other wet area, water needs to be managed by the underlying assembly. Depending on the installation system, that can involve a waterproof membrane, shower pan, waterproof backer, drain integration and properly treated corners and penetrations.

When comparing contractors, ask:

What waterproofing system are you using?
What substrate is going behind the tile?
Where is the waterproofing installed?
How are corners treated?
How are pipe penetrations sealed?
How is the shower drain integrated with the waterproofing?
How is the shower pan tested?
Is waterproofing included in the quoted price?

A quote that simply says “waterproofing included” leaves important questions unanswered.

The quote should identify what is being installed and where.

What happens when the old tile comes off?

This is where bathroom renovation estimates become less certain.

A contractor can measure the bathroom before demolition, but they cannot see the complete condition of the assembly behind the tile.

Possible findings include:

Water-damaged drywall
Deteriorated backer board
Damaged subfloor
Old mortar
Multiple layers of previous renovation
Poorly prepared surfaces
Damaged framing
Previous water damage
An unsuitable or failed waterproofing system

This is why a good quote distinguishes between known work and work that depends on what is discovered.

For example:

Clear:

Remove existing tile and backer board, included in price.

Less useful:

Repairs as required.

The second wording doesn’t tell the homeowner how additional work will be priced.

A better quote can specify an hourly labour rate, material pricing or unit prices for common repairs.

Subfloor problems can change the budget

Tile needs a stable, properly prepared substrate.

If the floor has excessive movement, installing new tile over it does not correct the underlying problem.

Depending on the condition, preparation may involve:

Replacing damaged subfloor
Repairing localized water damage
Adding appropriate underlayment
Flattening the floor
Levelling sections of the floor
Installing an uncoupling membrane
Addressing movement or cracking

This is one reason bathroom projects should not be compared solely by tile price.

The difference between a $5 and $15 tile can be relatively small compared with the cost of repairing a damaged floor.

What about moving the plumbing?

Keeping the toilet, tub or shower in its existing location can help control the project scope.

Moving plumbing may require opening walls or floors, changing supply lines, modifying drains and bringing another trade into the project.

Plumbing relocation adds $1,500 to $5,000 in most cases, although complicated work can exceed that range.

Moving a shower drain can be considerably more involved than moving a simple water supply line because the drain has to work with the floor and shower assembly.

If the existing bathroom layout works, keeping the plumbing where it is is generally the simplest way to avoid adding unnecessary scope.

Tile patterns and materials that add labour

Not every expensive tile project is expensive because the tile itself costs more.

Sometimes the material is relatively inexpensive but takes longer to install.

Herringbone

Herringbone requires more layout work and usually more cuts than a straightforward grid or offset pattern.

Large-format tile

Large tile can reduce the number of grout joints, but it places greater demands on substrate flatness and handling.

Mosaic

Mosaic has more individual joints and usually takes more time to grout and clean.

Recessed niche

A niche requires appropriate framing, waterproofing and tile detailing around the opening.

Shower bench

A bench needs appropriate structural support and waterproofing before it is tiled.

Floor-to-ceiling tile

This increases the tiled area and creates additional cuts around doors, windows, fixtures and ceiling transitions.

When comparing quotes, make sure each contractor has priced the same tile format and layout.

Should you repair the bathroom or retile everything?

Sometimes the right answer is not to retile the entire bathroom.

If one tile is cracked and the surrounding installation is sound, replacing that tile may be sufficient.

Other situations require more investigation.

Problem	Possible approach
One cracked tile	Replace the tile
Several isolated damaged tiles	Replace affected tiles
Dirty but intact grout	Clean or reseal
Missing or deteriorated grout	Regrout
Failed caulking	Remove and recaulk
One loose tile	Investigate and reset
Widespread loose tile	Investigate the assembly
Soft wall behind shower	Open and investigate
Recurring water damage	Find the source first

The important question is why the tile failed.

If a tile repeatedly cracks because the substrate is moving, replacing the tile doesn’t address the cause.

If grout repeatedly fails because water is entering an improperly constructed shower assembly, new grout is unlikely to solve the underlying problem.

What should a bathroom tile quote include?

When you receive multiple quotes, compare the scope before comparing the totals.

At minimum, look for:

Demolition

Is the existing tile being removed?

Disposal

Who is responsible for removing the debris?

Substrate preparation

What preparation is included, and what happens if damage is discovered?

Waterproofing

Where is waterproofing being installed, and what system is being used?

Tile

Does the price include the tile itself? If so, which product and size?

Installation

What pattern and layout are included?

Grout and caulking

Are they included?

Trim

Are metal edges, bullnose or other finishing pieces included?

Fixtures

Does the price include removing and resetting the toilet?

Plumbing

Are plumbing changes included or excluded?

Glass

Is a shower door included?

Unexpected repairs

What happens if damaged framing or subfloor is discovered?

This last point is particularly important.

“Additional repairs as required” gives the homeowner very little information about the financial risk.

A better quote explains how additional work will be charged before demolition begins.

What a basic retile quote may not include

A tile contractor’s price may exclude:

Plumbing relocation
Electrical work
Shower glass
Vanity
Toilet
Bathtub
Painting
Major framing repairs
Mold remediation
Major subfloor replacement
Permit costs where applicable
Specialty tile
Hidden water damage

That does not automatically mean the quote is incomplete.

It means you need to know what you’re comparing.

A $4,500 quote and a $6,000 quote may be pricing different scopes of work.

How to budget your bathroom project

The easiest way to avoid unrealistic expectations is to decide which project you’re actually doing.

Floor only

The scope is primarily:

Demolition
Floor preparation
Tile
Installation
Grout
Toilet removal and reset

Floor and tub surround

Now you’re adding:

Wall demolition
Wet-area substrate
Waterproofing
Wall tile
Additional installation labour

Tub-to-shower conversion

The scope expands again:

Tub removal
Shower base or pan
Drain work
Waterproofing
Shower floor
Wall tile
Plumbing
Possibly glass

Tub-to-shower conversions run $7,000 to $12,000.

Full bathroom renovation

At this point, you’re no longer pricing a tile project.

You may also be replacing:

Vanity
Toilet
Tub or shower
Plumbing fixtures
Lighting
Electrical
Flooring
Paint
Exhaust fan
Accessories

A complete bathroom renovation in Ottawa runs $15,000 to $55,000, depending on size, fixtures and plumbing changes.

That is why a few-thousand-dollar retile and a $25,000 bathroom renovation should not be compared as though they are simply two versions of the same project.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to retile a bathroom in Ottawa in 2026?

For a standard 5-by-8 bathroom, a floor and tub-surround retile runs roughly $1,200 to $3,500 for tile removal, surface prep and installed ceramic or porcelain.

Waterproofing, backer board and any repairs found after demolition are priced on top, so compare the written scope before comparing totals.

What is the average bathroom tile price per square foot in Ottawa?

Published pricing varies by material and scope.

We list $9 to $20 per square foot installed for ceramic and $12 to $25 for porcelain.

Those figures should not be multiplied directly by the bathroom’s floor area to estimate the entire renovation.

How much does a tiled walk-in shower cost?

Custom tiled shower packages run $9,000 to $14,000. Most Ottawa homeowners pay $4,500 to $8,000 to install a new shower.

The final price depends on the shower’s size, waterproofing system, tile, drain, plumbing, glass and features such as niches and benches.

Can I tile over existing tile?

Sometimes.

The existing tile needs to be sound, properly bonded and suitable for the proposed installation. The additional thickness also needs to work around doors, drains, toilets and other fixtures.

In a shower, removing the existing tile may make more sense when the waterproofing needs to be inspected or rebuilt.

Does waterproofing cost extra?

That depends on the scope and the contractor’s quote.

If you’re renovating a shower or tub surround, ask whether waterproofing is included and have the quote identify what is actually being waterproofed.

How much does moving bathroom plumbing cost?

Expect $1,500 to $5,000 in most cases, although complicated relocations can cost more.

Moving a shower drain, toilet or tub can involve substantially more work than moving a simple water supply line.

Should I repair or retile?

Repair can make sense when the problem is isolated and the underlying assembly is sound.

If you’re seeing widespread loose tile, recurring cracks, soft substrate or signs of water damage, investigate the cause before spending money on cosmetic repairs.

How long does a bathroom retile take?

A straightforward bathroom retile can take several working days.

If demolition reveals damaged substrate, or the project includes a complete shower rebuild, waterproofing, plumbing or custom tile work, the schedule can be considerably longer.

The contractor should give you a schedule based on the actual scope rather than a generic promise that every bathroom takes the same amount of time.

What should be included in the quote?

At a minimum, look for:

Scope of work
Square footage
Tile and material allowances
Demolition
Disposal
Substrate preparation
Waterproofing
Installation
Grout and caulking
Trim
Fixture removal and reset
Exclusions
Pricing for unforeseen repairs
Payment schedule
Expected timeline

The bottom line

If you’re budgeting for a bathroom retile in Ottawa, don’t start with the price of the tile.

Start with the scope.

A floor-only project is one thing. A floor plus tub surround is another. A custom walk-in shower is another again.

For a typical 5-by-8-foot bathroom with a tiled floor and tub surround, tile removal, prep and installation come to roughly $1,200 to $3,500, with waterproofing, backer board and repairs on top depending on the condition of the existing bathroom, materials and scope.

Custom tiled walk-in showers run $9,000 to $14,000, with waterproofing, plumbing, glass and custom features driving the price.

The biggest variable is often what you cannot see before demolition.

That is why the most useful quote is not necessarily the one with the lowest total. It is the one that clearly explains what is included, what is excluded and how unexpected problems will be priced.

Before signing, ask the contractor to spell out:

demolition + preparation + waterproofing + tile + installation + finishing + exclusions.

Once those pieces are clear, you are comparing actual scopes of work rather than three different numbers that may represent three different bathrooms.