Two bathrooms of exactly the same size can be completely different projects. The difference is almost never the tile you choose. It is the age of the house and what is behind the walls and under the floor.
1950s and 60s homes
The oldest neighbourhoods in the GTA — waterfront areas in Pickering and Whitby, much of Scarborough and central Oshawa — are full of these. In their bathrooms we routinely find:
- Several layers of old flooring, sometimes three deep
- Original board subfloors rather than plywood sheet
- Floors noticeably out of level, so self-levelling compound is standard
- Cast iron drain stacks that need care during demolition
- Occasionally, original mortar-bed tile that is genuinely well built and hard to remove
These are satisfying jobs, but they need a real site visit before anyone puts a number on paper. A quote from photographs alone is a guess.
1970s to 1990s homes
Plywood subfloors, standard joist spacing, generally predictable. This is where most bathroom renovations in the GTA happen. The usual work is removing the old tub surround, putting in proper waterproofing, and an uncoupling membrane under the new floor.
New builds
Flat subfloors, modern plumbing and few surprises behind the walls. These move quickly and suit large format tile and heated floors. The most common request is replacing a builder’s acrylic shower with a properly built, fully tiled one.
How long each scope takes
| Scope | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Floor only | 2–3 days |
| Full tiled shower | 4–7 days |
| Full bathroom renovation | 2–3 weeks |
Older homes usually take longer and cost more than new builds because of what is under the floor, not because of the tile. That is exactly why we price every bathroom after a free visit. See what drives the cost of a bathroom renovation.
Get a free estimate
Ultra Renovations Inc has been installing tile across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and the wider GTA for over ten years. We are a registered Ontario corporation with general liability insurance.
Call (647) 648-8985 or request a free estimate and we will come out, measure properly, look at your subfloor, and give you a written quote for your home at no cost.