Bathroom renovation pricing in Vancouver has shifted noticeably in the past two years — material costs, labour rates, and the cost of permits have all moved up. This post gives you the real 2026 numbers by tier, with itemized examples from current quotes.
The four tiers
| Tier | Cost range | Timeline | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder room | $10,000 – $20,000 | 1-2 weeks | Toilet + vanity + small space, no tub/shower |
| Mid-range full bath | $25,000 – $45,000 | 3-5 weeks | Full bath, mid-tier finishes, same layout |
| Master ensuite | $45,000 – $80,000 | 4-7 weeks | Large bath, walk-in shower, custom vanity |
| Spa-style ensuite | $80,000 – $140,000+ | 6-10 weeks | Steam shower, soaker, custom tile, premium fixtures |
Tier 1: Powder room — $16,500 example
2010s East Van home, no tub/shower, full reset:
- Demolition + disposal: $1,200
- Plumbing rough-in (toilet + vanity, same location): $1,400
- Custom vanity with stone top: $3,800
- Toilet (mid-range, soft-close): $650
- Faucet, towel bars, mirror: $850
- Wall tile (accent wall, porcelain): $1,800
- Floor tile (porcelain, 25 sq ft): $1,100
- Drywall, paint, trim: $1,400
- Electrical (LED ceiling, vanity light, GFCI): $1,200
- Project mgmt + permits: $2,800
- Total: $16,200
Tier 2: Mid-range full bath — $38,500 example
1995 Burnaby home main bathroom, full tear-out, same layout:
- Demolition + disposal: $2,200
- Plumbing rough-in (toilet, vanity, tub-shower): $3,200
- Vanity (BC-made, painted shaker with quartz top): $4,500
- Toilet: $700
- Acrylic alcove tub: $1,200
- Tub/shower mixer (thermostatic): $1,400
- Schluter Kerdi waterproofing membrane: $1,200
- Wall tile (porcelain, full shower walls): $3,500
- Floor tile (porcelain, heated): $2,200
- Heated floor system (DITRA-HEAT): $1,400
- Glass shower screen: $1,800
- Bathroom fan (Panasonic, vented to exterior): $650
- Electrical (GFCI, fan switch, vanity light, ceiling): $1,400
- Drywall, paint, trim: $1,600
- Project mgmt + permits: $4,500
- Contingency: $3,500
- Total: $34,950
Tier 3: Master ensuite with walk-in shower — $64,000 example
1988 Kerrisdale character home, expanded into adjacent closet, full custom build:
- Demolition + disposal: $3,500
- Wall removal (non-load-bearing) + reframing: $4,200
- Plumbing rough-in: $4,800
- Custom vanity (BC-made, painted, stone top, double sink): $8,800
- Toilet (premium, dual-flush): $1,200
- Walk-in shower (curbless, linear drain): $4,200
- Shower system (thermostatic + rain head + hand-held): $3,400
- Schluter Kerdi full waterproofing (walls + floor + ceiling): $2,400
- Wall tile (porcelain, large-format): $5,500
- Floor tile (porcelain, heated): $3,400
- Heated floor system: $2,200
- Custom glass shower enclosure: $3,400
- Bathroom fan + ducting: $1,200
- Electrical (full LED, GFCI, vanity, ceiling): $2,800
- Drywall, paint, trim: $2,400
- Project mgmt + permits: $6,500
- Contingency: $4,500
- Total: $64,400
Tier 4: Spa-style ensuite — $115,000+ example
Premium master ensuite. Adds these line items over Tier 3:
- Steam shower system: $4,800-$8,500
- Standalone soaker tub + carrier framing: $4,000-$8,000
- Natural stone tile premium (over porcelain): $4,500-$12,000
- Brass plumbing fixtures (over chrome): $2,500-$6,500
- Custom millwork beyond the vanity: $4,000-$12,000
- Body-spray system + multiple shower zones: $3,500-$7,500
Where waterproofing matters most
The single line item where you should never cut corners: Schluter Kerdi or Wedi membrane waterproofing. This adds $1,000-$2,500 to a typical bathroom budget over the older cement-board-with-thinset approach some contractors still use. It’s the difference between a bathroom that lasts 25 years and one that fails in 5. We won’t quote a bathroom without it.
See our bathroom renovation overview for full scope details, or Vancouver bathroom renovation for city-specific details. Ready for a fixed-price quote? Request a free estimate.
