Bathroom renovation before and after in Ottawa by Dream Touch Renovations
Ottawa Bathroom Renovation · Ensuite · Primary · Powder Room · Accessible

Ottawa bathroom renovations.
Built to last decades, not trends.

Ensuite and primary bathroom renovations, small bathroom makeovers, powder rooms, and fully accessible builds, designed, waterproofed, and installed by one Ottawa team. Free in-home design. Fixed-price contracts. 1-year workmanship warranty.

Call 613-862-4555
0+
Ottawa bathrooms delivered
Free
In-home design consultation
5+25 yrs
Workmanship + manufacturer warranty
0%
On-time completion rate
Free in-home design
No deposit required.
15% off all tile
Kohler/TOTO/Grohe partners.
1-year DTR warranty
Plus up to 25-year manufacturer.
Flexible financing
Trusted Ottawa brokers.
Ottawa's bathroom renovation specialists since 2005

Why Ottawa homeowners choose Dream Touch for bathroom renovations

Dream Touch Renovations has been Ottawa's trusted bathroom contractor Ottawa families rely on since 2005, with more than 500 bathroom projects completed across Barrhaven, Kanata, Orleans, Westboro, Nepean, Manotick, the Glebe, Hintonburg, and every neighbourhood in between. As a Licensed Ontario General Contractor, fully insured, we are the bathroom renovation company Ottawa homeowners choose when they want the build done once, properly, with written fixed-price contracts and a 1-year workmanship warranty. Our in-house team of plumbers, electricians, tile specialists, and cabinet makers completes every bathroom renovation Ottawa project under one roof, no subcontractor chains, no finger-pointing, no surprises.

We specialize in five bathroom renovation categories. Ensuite renovation Ottawa projects are the luxurious primary bathroom connected to your main bedroom, a primary bathroom Ottawa renovation typically featuring a walk in shower Ottawa with frameless glass, freestanding soaker tub, double vanity, and spa lighting. Small bathroom renovation Ottawa makeovers are Ottawa's most common bathroom type, 40–60 sq ft main bathrooms that require clever layout optimization and durable, multi-user finishes. Powder room renovation Ottawa projects deliver the highest visual impact per square foot in your home, where guests quietly assess your taste. Accessible bathroom Ottawa and barrier free bathroom Ottawa builds use aging-in-place design with zero-threshold showers, grab bars, and universal design bathroom Ottawa principles that look beautiful, not institutional. And basement bathroom additions, combined with our basement finishing projects.

What separates a Dream Touch custom bathroom Ottawa build from a kit-renovator is a single word: waterproofing. Most Ottawa bathroom renovation failures show up two to five years later as cracked grout lines, soft subfloors, or black mould growing silently behind the tile, the result of a contractor who skipped proper bathroom waterproofing Ottawa to shave a few line items off the quote. Dream Touch installs full Schluter-Kerdi waterproofing membrane on every shower and wet wall, every time, with documented photo records delivered to you as part of your project file. Our bathrooms last because Ottawa's climate, with its humidity swings, freeze-thaw cycles, and extreme winter-summer transitions, demands it. Every Dream Touch bathroom is backed by our 1-year workmanship warranty, up to 25-year manufacturer warranties on fixtures, and Tarion-equivalent coverage where applicable. Explore our Financing options for renovation loan solutions through our three trusted Ottawa mortgage partners.

Before and after

From dated bathroom to finished ensuite.

Drag the handle to reveal before and after. Ottawa bathroom renovation.

Ottawa bathroom renovation after, completed ensuite by Dream Touch Renovations Before After
Five bathrooms. Five searchers. One Ottawa team.

What kind of bathroom are you renovating?

Every bathroom renovation Ottawa project belongs to one of five project types. Each has different scope, budget, timeline, and design priorities.

Ensuite Renovation Ottawa

Luxurious primary bathroom connected to the main bedroom. Walk-in showers, freestanding tubs, double vanities, heated floors, spa lighting. The highest-ROI bathroom investment in Ottawa.

Full custom scope Timeline: 4–6 wks Built for: Primary bedroom suites, long-term stays

Main Bathroom Renovation Ottawa

The shared family bathroom, typically 40–70 sq ft in Ottawa suburban homes. Tub/shower combination, single vanity, practical storage, durable finishes for daily multi-user traffic.

Mid-range scope Timeline: 2–4 wks Built for: Shared family use, young families, rentals

Powder Room Ottawa

Main-floor half-bath with toilet and vanity. The highest visual impact per square foot in your entire home. Guests experience this room, and quietly judge your taste by it.

Compact scope Timeline: 2 wks Built for: Main-floor guests, quick wins

Small Bathroom Renovation Ottawa

Complete gut and rebuild of a tight 40–55 sq ft bathroom. Smart layout optimization, space-saving fixtures, light-reflecting materials. Ottawa's most common bathroom renovation, and where good design matters most.

Full gut scope Timeline: 2–3 wks Built for: 1950s–1990s homes, condos, rentals

Accessible Bathroom Ottawa

Barrier-free bathrooms for aging-in-place or mobility needs. Zero-threshold walk-in showers, grab bars, curbless transitions, roll-under vanities, slip-resistant flooring. Designed to look residential, never institutional.

Barrier-free scope Timeline: 3–5 wks Built for: Aging-in-place, mobility, forward planning
Recent Ottawa bathrooms

Real Ottawa homes. Real bathroom renovations.

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Modern ensuite bathroom Ottawa Hillcrest walk-in shower
Hillcrest · Ottawa · 2024
Hillcrest · Ottawa · 2024

Spa-Inspired Ensuite

  • Black-framed grid shower glass
  • Espresso shaker vanity
  • White quartz-look countertop
Contemporary family bathroom Ottawa Albion
Albion · Ottawa · 2024
Albion · Ottawa · 2024

Modern Family Bathroom

  • Walk-in glass shower
  • Wood-look tile shower wall
  • Sliding glass shower door
Custom walk-in shower Ottawa Dunrobin glass enclosure
Dunrobin · Ottawa · 2023
Dunrobin · Ottawa · 2023

Custom Walk-In Shower

  • Curbless frameless-glass walk-in shower
  • Floor-to-ceiling large-format stone-look tile
  • Floating double vanity, taupe shaker
Primary ensuite bathroom Ottawa Barrhaven — freestanding tub and glass walk-in shower
Barrhaven · Ottawa · 2024
Barrhaven · Ottawa · 2024

Mohamad's Ensuite

  • Freestanding soaker tub
  • Frameless glass walk-in shower
  • Floating wood double vanity
Secondary bathroom Ottawa Carlsbad
Carlsbad Springs · 2024
Carlsbad Springs · 2024

Carlsbad Secondary Bathroom

  • Frameless glass walk-in shower
  • Floor-to-ceiling marble wall tile
  • Grey shaker double vanity
Accessible walk-in shower Ottawa Orleans barrier-free
Orleans · Ottawa · 2024
Orleans · Ottawa · 2024

Accessible Walk-In Shower

  • Barrier-free curbless entry + grab bars
  • Frameless glass walk-in shower
  • Fold-down bench + roll-under vanity
Boutique powder room Ottawa Manotick custom vanity
Manotick · Ottawa · 2023
Manotick · Ottawa · 2023

Boutique Powder Room

  • Dual rain-head walk-in shower
  • Freestanding oval soaker tub
  • Floor-to-ceiling marble-look tile
Walk-in shower renovation Ottawa Orleans family
Orleans · Ottawa · 2024
Orleans · Ottawa · 2024

Orleans Family Shower

  • Frameless glass walk-in shower
  • Floor-to-ceiling marble-look tile
  • Curbless zero-threshold entry
Custom home sauna Ottawa spa retreat
Ottawa · 2023
Ottawa · 2023

Home Sauna Build

  • Indoor infrared sauna cabin
  • Carbon infrared heater panels
  • Frameless tinted glass door
The thing most Ottawa bathroom contractors don't tell you

Your bathroom will fail in 3–5 years if waterproofing is done wrong.

The single biggest reason Ottawa homeowners call us for "redo" bathroom renovation Ottawa projects is that the original contractor skipped proper bathroom waterproofing Ottawa. Here's what proper waterproofing looks like, and why it costs slightly more upfront and saves thousands long-term.

Here's what happens in a bathroom without proper waterproofing. Water passes through grout (which is porous by nature), saturates the cementitious backer board, rots the subfloor below, and breeds mould inside the wall cavity. Homeowners see cracked grout at year 2, soft flooring at year 3, and discover black mould behind the tile at year 5 when they finally pull the wall. Remediation often means a full gut-and-rebuild of the wet wall, on top of the price of the new renovation itself. Every Ottawa bathroom renovation we redo for an unhappy homeowner has this exact failure pattern.

Dream Touch's waterproofing specification is the industry gold standard. Every wet wall and shower receives Schluter-Kerdi sheet membrane (or equivalent bonded waterproofing) installed directly under the tile. Corners and seams are sealed with Schluter-Kerdi-Band. Every drain is Schluter-Kerdi-Drain compatible with integrated waterproof flashing. The entire assembly is independently tested to TTMAC, the gold standard for bathroom waterproofing in North America. And because seeing is believing, we document every waterproofing layer with timestamped photos delivered to you at project handover.

Cost reality check. Proper bathroom waterproofing Ottawa adds a modest amount to a bathroom renovation depending on size and layout. Many contractors skip it because the customer never sees it, and it cuts into their margin. Dream Touch includes it as standard on every shower and wet wall: no upgrade, no optional line item, no "premium" package. If a bathroom renovation quote feels dramatically cheaper than ours, ask what waterproofing system they're using. If they say "just green board" or "we use a waterproof paint", walk away.

What's included in a Dream Touch Ottawa bathroom

Every scope. Every layer. Every hidden detail.

A bathroom renovation is eight trades working in sequence. Missing any one of them creates problems that won't show up for years. Here's what a complete Dream Touch Ottawa bathroom renovation actually includes.

Demolition & Protection

Full demolition down to studs and subfloor. We protect floors, doorways, and HVAC with dust barriers. Debris hauled same-day.

Plumbing Rough-In

Licensed plumber relocates supply, drains, and venting as needed. Pressure-tested before any walls go back up. All work permitted.

Electrical Upgrades

Vanity outlets to modern GFCI code, bathroom-rated pot lights, integrated fan+light combos, heated floor wiring. ESA permitted and inspected.

Waterproofing System

Schluter-Kerdi membrane on every wet wall, waterproofed drain flashing, tested before tile. The layer most Ottawa contractors skip.

Tile Installation

Large-format porcelain or natural stone, laser-levelled, proper thinset, consistent grout lines. Premium installation by in-house tile specialists.

Vanity, Counter & Fixtures

Custom or premium stock cabinetry, quartz or natural stone counters, undermount sinks, soft-close drawers. From Kohler, Grohe, Delta, TOTO.

Ventilation & HVAC

Ottawa code now requires proper exhaust ventilation, so we install continuous-duty fans sized to your cubic footage. No more moisture in the wall cavity.

Finishing & Punch List

Paint, trim, accessories, mirrors, door hardware. Final walkthrough, all fixtures tested, your warranty documents delivered.

Where your Ottawa bathroom budget actually goes

The honest cost breakdown of a main Ottawa bathroom renovation.

Here's exactly how Dream Touch allocates every dollar of a typical main bathroom renovation Ottawa project. No hidden markups. No padded line items, just a clear itemized written breakdown before work begins.

LabourPlumber · electrician · tile · carpenter
50% · of project
MaterialsTile · drywall · waterproofing · framing · paint
30% · of project
Fixtures & FittingsToilet · vanity · faucet · lighting · mirrors · hardware
15% · of project
Design & PlanningConsultation · 3D renderings · specification · permits
5% · of project
"Notice labour is 50%. That's not us being expensive. That's what proper bathroom work costs in Ottawa. Any quote where labour is under 35% means the contractor is using inexperienced trades, cutting corners on waterproofing, or planning to use your deposit to start another job. Ask to see the labour breakdown in writing."

Plus 10–15% project contingency recommended for older Ottawa homes, to cover subfloor rot, outdated plumbing, or electrical issues discovered during demolition.

Transparent pricing

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Ottawa?

Fixed-price written contracts signed before demolition for every bathroom remodel Ottawa project. What you pay depends on the drivers that move every bathroom budget, room size, fixture and finish selection, tile choice, cabinetry, and structural or plumbing changes. All Dream Touch bathrooms include full waterproofing, permits, and 1-year workmanship warranty, with a clear itemized proposal so you understand exactly what is included.

Essential
Small Bathroom / Powder Room · 20–60 sq ft
  • Full gut and rebuild
  • New tile floor + shower/tub surround
  • Premium stock vanity + quartz counter
  • Mid-range fixtures (Kohler, Delta, Pfister)
  • Full Schluter waterproofing on wet walls
  • New exhaust fan + GFCI outlets
  • Paint + trim
  • 1-year workmanship warranty
Best for: Powder rooms, small family bathrooms, rental unit bathrooms, condo bathrooms.
Premium
Primary Ensuite / Custom Build · 90–150 sq ft
  • Full gut + footprint expansion (if needed)
  • Custom walk-in shower with frameless glass
  • Espresso shaker vanity
  • Double vanity with custom storage
  • Natural stone or premium porcelain throughout
  • Heated floors + towel warmer
  • Integrated lighting design (layered, dimmable zones)
  • Fixture upgrades (rainshower, handheld, body jets)
  • Smart home integration (touchless faucet, voice lighting)
  • Custom tile niches, benches, accent features
  • 10-year extended warranty
Best for: Primary bathroom Ottawa suites, empty-nester luxury builds, resale-focused renovations. The best primary bathroom Ottawa families invest in for decades of use.
20 years of bathroom renovations has taught us this

The 7 most expensive mistakes Ottawa homeowners make with bathroom renovations.

Every single one of these mistakes shows up in the bathrooms we redo for clients who went with the wrong contractor. Avoid these and your bathroom will last 30+ years.

  1. 1

    Skipping proper waterproofing to trim the quote.

    The contractor uses green board + waterproof paint instead of a proper membrane. Grout cracks at year 2, black mould appears behind walls at year 5. Remediation then costs far more than doing it right the first time, often a full gut-and-rebuild of the wet wall.

    Dream Touch fixSchluter-Kerdi membrane on every wet wall, every time. No exceptions.
  2. 2

    Undersizing the exhaust fan.

    Builder-grade fans move 50 CFM. A proper Ottawa bathroom needs 80–110 CFM with a humidistat or timer. Result: permanent humidity, peeling paint, fogged mirrors, moisture inside walls.

    Dream Touch fixContinuous-duty fans sized to cubic footage + auto humidistat control.
  3. 3

    Choosing tile that looks great in the showroom but fails at home.

    Polished stone scratches, honed marble absorbs soap, and large-format tile lippage ruins the visual. Selection errors mean tearing out and re-tiling, one of the most expensive redos in a bathroom.

    Dream Touch fixTile consultation with onsite lighting test. We specify what performs, not just what photographs.
  4. 4

    Going with the cheapest quote without asking about subfloor.

    Cheap quotes assume the subfloor is fine. Then demo reveals rotted OSB and the "surprise" change order arrives, a hidden cost that should have been priced up front, always.

    Dream Touch fixWe inspect subfloor at design stage with a moisture meter. Subfloor replacement (if needed) is priced in the original quote.
  5. 5

    Relocating plumbing "because it's easy."

    Moving a toilet drain 4 feet sounds minor. It means opening the ceiling below, rerouting vent stack, and re-inspecting. Adds significant labour and roughly 3 weeks if not planned.

    Dream Touch fixOur plumber meets you at design stage to confirm what can and can't be moved, before the contract is signed.
  6. 6

    Forgetting to upgrade electrical to current code.

    Older Ottawa homes have 15-amp bathroom circuits with no GFCI. Modern fans, heated floors, and vanity lights overload them. Code inspection fails, project stalls 2 weeks.

    Dream Touch fixFull electrical assessment at design stage. Panel and circuit upgrades priced into the contract.
  7. 7

    Picking finishes after demolition starts.

    Tile, vanity, and fixture lead times in Ottawa are 4–12 weeks. Starting demo before materials arrive means dead time mid-project. Adds 3–6 weeks.

    Dream Touch fixWe don't swing a hammer until every material is delivered to our warehouse. Your contract ties the start date to material delivery.
The Dream Touch bathroom process

From free design consultation to first hot shower.

Every Dream Touch bathroom follows the same seven-phase playbook, refined across 20 Years of Ottawa Projects. Transparent timing at every stage.

Step 1
Free In-Home Design
60 min · Free
We visit, measure, discuss priorities, and sketch layout options. No deposit.
Step 2
3D Renderings
1 wk
Detailed design package with fixture spec, tile selection, lighting plan.
Step 3
Fixed-Price Contract
3–5 days
Line-item quote with zero hidden allowances. You approve, we order.
Step 4
Material Ordering
3–6 wks
All tile, fixtures, vanity, hardware delivered to our warehouse first.
Step 5
Demo + Rough-In
3–5 days
Full gut to studs, plumbing and electrical rough-in, subfloor check.
Step 6
Waterproof + Tile
5–10 days
Schluter membrane, pressure-tested, tile installed and grouted.
Step 7
Finish & Handover
3–5 days
Vanity, fixtures, lighting, paint, trim. Walkthrough + warranty.
Return on Investment

What's the ROI of a bathroom renovation in Ottawa?

Bathroom renovation Ottawa projects consistently rank as one of the top 3 renovations for resale ROI in the Ottawa real estate market, typically returning 60–75% of cost at resale, with luxury primary ensuites often exceeding 80%. Here's the 2025 Ottawa breakdown.

Bathroom Type
Scope
Value Driver
ROI
Time to Recoup
Powder room refresh
Compact
High visual impact for guests
68–100%
On resale
Small bathroom gut
Full gut
Layout optimization, durable finishes
60–93%
On resale
Main family bathroom
Mid-range
Daily-use durability, finish level
62–93%
On resale
Primary bathroom Ottawa (standard ensuite)
Custom
Walk-in shower, double vanity
69–95%
6-mo listing lift
Primary ensuite (luxury)
Full custom
Stone, heated floors, smart fixtures
68–100%
6-mo listing lift
Accessible / barrier-free
Barrier-free
Zero-threshold, universal design
62–100%
Ongoing quality-of-life

* Note: ROI is property-dependent. Bathrooms are the #1 feature Ottawa buyers evaluate during home tours. Outdated bathrooms are the single most common reason Ottawa buyers walk away or reduce offers. Even below 100% nominal ROI, a renovated bathroom accelerates the sale and reduces concessions.

Trusted Partners

Built with brands we stand behind.

Kohler, Ottawa bathroom fixtures partner
Grohe, Ottawa bathroom fixtures partner
Delta, Ottawa bathroom fixtures partner
American Standard, Ottawa bathroom fixtures partner
TOTO, Ottawa bathroom fixtures partner
Blanco, Ottawa bathroom sinks partner
Moen, Ottawa bathroom fixtures partner
Pfister, Ottawa bathroom fixtures partner
Fleurco, Ottawa bathroom glass partner
Every Ottawa neighbourhood

Bathroom renovation contractor serving Ottawa and the National Capital Region.

Dream Touch has renovated bathrooms across every Ottawa neighbourhood. Older Hintonburg and Glebe homes have different plumbing and ceiling-height challenges than new Kanata and Barrhaven builds, but our team knows both inside and out.

Albion Alta Vista Barrhaven Bells Corners Carlsbad Springs Carp Centretown Dunrobin Findlay Creek The Glebe Gloucester Greely Hillcrest Hintonburg Kanata Manor Park Manotick Nepean New Edinburgh Orleans Overbrook Riverside South Rockcliffe Sandy Hill Stittsville Vanier Westboro

Don't see your neighbourhood? We renovate bathrooms across the National Capital Region. Call 613-862-4555.

Ottawa clients

Real Ottawa families. Real bathroom transformations.

"

Dream Touch Renovations transformed my house into a dream home. From design to execution, they exceeded my expectations. The team's dedication and attention to detail was #1. Highly recommend.

Samantha ThompsonOttawa homeowner · Bathroom + whole-home renovation
"

Moe and the team renovated our master bathroom along with whole-home work. The craftsmanship in the custom cabinetry, tile, and finishes is excellent. The painting is precise with clean lines. I would hire Dream Touch Renovations again.

Saralyn HodgkinWestboro homeowner · Primary ensuite renovation
"

Moe went out of his way to make sure everything was right. He upgraded our sink at no cost to our budget, sent his electrician to move lighting, and did a follow-up to make sure we were completely content with the finished product.

Joan ArseneauOttawa homeowner · Main bathroom renovation
Common questions

Ottawa bathroom renovation questions, answered.

The questions we answer most often during Ottawa bathroom consultations. Don't see yours? Call us direct.

Talk to a bathroom specialist

Free 15-minute call. No obligation.

Call 613-862-4555
Ottawa bathroom renovation pricing is driven by room size, fixture and finish selection, tile choice, cabinetry, plumbing or electrical relocations, waterproofing, and permits. A powder room costs far less than a full custom primary ensuite. Every Dream Touch bathroom renovation is a written, fixed-price contract with a clear itemized breakdown, full waterproofing, and permits included, so you understand exactly what you're paying for before work begins.
Active construction runs 3–8 weeks depending on scope. Total project timeline from first consultation to handover is typically 10–20 weeks, including material lead times (4–12 weeks for tile and fixtures). Dream Touch doesn't start demolition until every material is delivered, eliminating mid-project delays.
Yes, for most scopes. Plumbing relocations, electrical upgrades, and ventilation changes all require permits. Cosmetic-only renovations (vanity swap, paint, fixture replacement) may not. Dream Touch handles every permit required and flags the minority of projects that don't need one.
In Canadian usage, an "ensuite" is a bathroom accessed only through a bedroom (typically the primary bedroom), while a "main bathroom" is accessed from a hallway and used by multiple family members or guests. Ensuites typically have larger footprints, more luxurious fixtures, and higher budgets; main bathrooms prioritize durability and multi-user function.
Yes, bathroom renovations happen year-round in Ottawa. Winter is actually our busiest season. The bigger factor is fixture lead time (4–12 weeks); timing starts when you commit to design, not when snow melts.
For most homeowners, yes, especially if it's not your only bathroom. We set up dust barriers and schedule noisy work during business hours. If it's your only bathroom, the "rough" phase (3–5 days without fixtures) requires using a friend's or short-term accommodation. We coordinate this timing with you.
Ask your contractor what waterproofing system they use and request photos from every waterproofing layer before tile goes up. Dream Touch documents every layer of our Schluter-Kerdi system with timestamped photos, delivered to you as part of your final documentation package. If a contractor says "we use mold-resistant drywall" or "green board is enough", they're not waterproofing properly.
Ottawa bathroom renovations typically return 60–75% of cost at resale, with luxury primary ensuites often reaching 80–100%. Beyond nominal ROI, renovated bathrooms significantly accelerate resale, since the #1 feature Ottawa buyers evaluate during home tours is bathroom condition.
Yes. Dream Touch specializes in barrier-free and universal design bathrooms, including zero-threshold walk-in showers, grab bars, roll-under vanities, slip-resistant flooring, and residential-style integration (nothing institutional). Many of our accessible bathrooms are also designed for forward-planning families who want the renovation to still work in 20 years.
We call you the same day with options and exact additional costs. Nothing proceeds without your written approval. Most Ottawa bathroom renovations (especially in homes built before 2000) reveal at least some hidden issue, typically subfloor damage, outdated galvanized plumbing, or small mould patches. We price a 10–15% contingency into every contract for this.
Absolutely, and this is one of the most efficient ways to add bathroom count and property value. See our Basement Finishing page for full basement + bathroom combination projects, a complete finished basement with full bathroom.
Most Ottawa homeowners finance bathrooms through HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit), home improvement loan, or refinance. For larger primary ensuite renovations, construction financing is also available. See our Financing page for our three trusted Ottawa mortgage partners.
Your Ottawa bathroom starts here

Free in-home design consultation.
No deposit.
Zero obligation.

Tell us about your bathroom and what you're hoping to achieve. We visit, measure, discuss fixture spec and finish options, and deliver a written quote with 3D renderings, before you commit to anything. No sales pressure. Ever.

100s
Bathrooms
4.7★
Google
Est. 2005
20+ Years
A+
BBB
Licensed & Insured