A small bathroom renovation in Montreal doesn’t mean compromising on quality or style. Some of the most impressive transformations we do at GRM happen in bathrooms under 50 square feet — tight spaces where smart planning and the right material choices make an enormous difference.
Here’s everything Montreal homeowners need to know before renovating a small bathroom.
What Counts as a Small Bathroom?
In Montreal homes and condos, a small bathroom typically falls between 35 and 60 square feet. These are often:
- Secondary bathrooms in older homes built before the 1980s
- Powder rooms that were converted to full bathrooms
- Ensuite bathrooms in condos and apartments
- Basement bathrooms added during a renovation
The challenges are consistent: limited floor space, low ceilings in some cases, poor ventilation, and outdated plumbing that wasn’t designed for modern fixtures.
What’s Included in a Small Bathroom Renovation?
A complete small bathroom renovation in Montreal typically covers:
Demolition and prep Removal of existing tile, fixtures, vanity, and flooring. In older Montreal homes, this often reveals outdated cement board, missing waterproofing, or plumbing that needs updating.
Waterproofing This step is non-negotiable. Every shower wall and wet area floor gets a proper waterproofing membrane before any tile goes up. In small bathrooms, the stakes are especially high — a leak in a tight space can damage surrounding rooms quickly.
Tile installation Walls, shower enclosure, and floor. Tile selection has a major impact on how large or small the space feels.
Plumbing fixtures Toilet, vanity, sink, faucet, and shower or tub installation. Upgrading to wall-mounted or space-saving fixtures can recover significant floor space.
Electrical Vanity lighting, exhaust fan, and in some cases a heated floor thermostat.
Finishing Vanity, mirror, accessories, and paint.
Design Tips for Small Bathrooms in Montreal
Use large-format tiles It sounds counterintuitive, but larger tiles (12×24 or 24×24) create fewer grout lines, which makes a small floor look more expansive. Small mosaic tiles emphasize the limited square footage.
Keep wall and floor tiles in the same family Using similar tones on walls and floors blurs the boundary between surfaces and makes the room feel taller and wider.
Go frameless on the shower enclosure A frameless glass enclosure allows the eye to travel through the space uninterrupted. Framed or curtained showers visually cut the room in half.
Wall-mounted vanities Floating vanities expose the floor underneath, which creates the illusion of more space. They also make cleaning easier.
Recessed niches instead of corner shelves A tiled niche built into the shower wall keeps products off the floor and adds a clean, built-in look without taking up any space.
Heated floors In a small bathroom, a heated floor system adds significant comfort for minimal cost — there’s less square footage to cover, so the material and installation costs are lower than in larger rooms.
How Much Does a Small Bathroom Renovation in Montreal Cost?
Costs depend on the scope of work, fixture choices, and tile selection. A small bathroom renovation in Montreal typically costs between $6,000 and $20,000 depending on scope. Here are realistic ranges for Montreal in 2025:
| Scope | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic refresh (tile, fixtures, paint) | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| Mid-range full renovation | $9,000 – $14,000 |
| High-end with custom tile and glass | $14,000 – $20,000+ |
These estimates include labour, materials, waterproofing, tile, fixtures, and finishing. They do not include major plumbing relocation or structural changes, which add cost.
What affects the price most:
- Whether plumbing needs to be moved
- Tile format and material (ceramic vs. porcelain vs. natural stone)
- Frameless glass enclosure vs. standard
- Whether a heated floor is added
- Condition of the existing subfloor and walls
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the contractor based on price alone Small bathrooms require precision. A low quote often means skipped waterproofing, thin tile adhesive, or fixtures that don’t last. The repair cost down the road almost always exceeds the savings upfront.
Underestimating ventilation In a small, enclosed space, an undersized exhaust fan leads to chronic humidity, mold on grout joints, and peeling paint. Upgrading the fan during renovation is inexpensive compared to fixing moisture damage later.
Ignoring the subfloor Older Montreal homes often have subfloor damage from years of water infiltration. Tiling over a soft or uneven subfloor leads to cracked tile and grout within months.
Not planning for storage Small bathrooms need smart storage built in — recessed niches, medicine cabinets, and floating vanities with drawers. Adding storage as an afterthought means cluttered counters and no floor space.
How Long Does a Small Bathroom Renovation Take?
A typical small bathroom renovation at GRM takes 7 to 12 business days from demolition to final walkthrough. The timeline depends on:
- Whether plumbing or electrical work is needed
- Drying and curing time for waterproofing and adhesive
- Custom orders for fixtures or glass enclosures
We provide a detailed schedule before work begins so you know exactly what to expect each day.
Ready to Renovate Your Small Bathroom in Montreal?
At Groupe Rénovation Montréal, we specialize in transforming small bathrooms across Montreal, Laval, and the West Island. From waterproofing to final tile, we handle every step with one crew and one point of contact.
Contact us for a free on-site estimate.
