Topdown Renos handles the full condo bathroom renovation process in Toronto, including building management approval, elevator booking, work-hour scheduling, and concrete subfloor waterproofing. A standard 5x8 condo bathroom full gut runs $28,000 to $42,000 in 2026. We carry $5M general liability and provide insurance certificates naming the condo corporation as additional insured.
Why Condo Bathrooms Need a Specialist Contractor
A condo bathroom renovation has paperwork and process steps that a house bathroom does not. Hiring a general contractor unfamiliar with condo work usually means delays at the building manager's desk, denied elevator bookings, and friction with neighbours. The specifics:
- Renovation application package. Each Toronto condo building has its own application. We have completed dozens across downtown, midtown, North York, Mississauga and Markham, and we know what each property manager looks for.
- Insurance certificates naming the corporation. Standard $2M general liability is often not enough. Most buildings require $5M and the corporation listed as additional insured.
- WSIB and contractor parking. WSIB clearance is required by every building. Contractor parking arrangements vary by property; some require visitor parking purchase, some require deposits.
- Elevator booking and deposit. Most buildings charge a refundable deposit ($500 to $2,000) and require booking the service elevator on a specific schedule. We coordinate this.
The Building Approval Process in Detail
- Initial scope. We measure the bathroom, identify what is and is not feasible given plumbing stack location and structural columns, and prepare a written scope.
- Application package. Detailed scope, project schedule, contractor insurance certificate, WSIB, elevator booking request. Filed with property management.
- Pre-renovation inspection (some buildings). Building engineer or property manager visits the unit to confirm scope matches application.
- Approval letter. Property management issues approval, confirms elevator booking, sets work-hour rules, and lists any building-specific requirements.
- Neighbour notification. Many buildings require posted notices on your floor 1 to 2 weeks before work starts.
- Construction window opens. Approval typically takes 2 to 4 weeks total.
Noise Bylaws and Construction Scheduling
Most Toronto condo buildings restrict noisy work to weekday daytime hours, with these typical phases:
- Demolition (1 to 2 days). Loudest phase. Tile cutting, fixture removal, drywall removal. Strict 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. window.
- Plumbing rough-in (2 to 3 days). Some drilling and core hammering. Same restricted hours.
- Drywall, waterproofing, tile (1 to 2 weeks). Quieter work but still daytime preferred.
- Finish work (1 week). Vanity install, fixtures, paint, hardware. Quieter; some buildings allow extended hours.
We schedule the loudest phases for the start of the project so neighbours see steady progress and noise tapers off.
Plumbing Stack Constraints
Condo plumbing stacks run vertically through the building. The toilet, shower drain and kitchen sink all connect to these stacks. The locations cannot move. What we can do:
- Shift the toilet a few inches with an offset flange
- Replace the tub with a walk-in shower (using the existing tub drain location)
- Move the vanity along the same wall
- Add a niche, bench or new tile pattern
- Upgrade fixtures, faucets, lighting
What we cannot do:
- Move the toilet or shower to a new wall
- Add a second bathroom (rarely possible without major stack work)
- Convert a powder room to a full bathroom (drain capacity issues)
Concrete Subfloor Waterproofing System
Condo bathroom floors sit on a concrete slab. The slab moves slightly with temperature changes and building loading. Without proper crack isolation, tile cracks and grout fails over time. Our standard build-up:
- Self-leveling underlayment to flatten the slab
- Crack isolation membrane bonded to the slab
- Sheet-membrane waterproofing covering the full bathroom area
- Additional waterproof membrane behind shower wall tile
- Tile installed in modified thinset
- Epoxy or quality sanded grout
This system meets condo board requirements and prevents leaks to the unit below, which is the single biggest source of condo bathroom-related insurance claims.
Pricing Specific to Condo Work
- Powder room (3x5 to 4x6): $10,000 to $18,000
- Standard 5x8 condo bathroom full gut: $28,000 to $42,000
- 5x10 ensuite full gut: $35,000 to $50,000
- Larger primary ensuite (8x10+): $45,000 to $70,000+
Add about 10 to 20 percent over a comparable house bathroom for the building approval, elevator deposit, restricted hours, and waterproofing requirements.
Buildings We Have Worked In
We have completed condo bathroom renovations across the GTA, including:
- Downtown Toronto core (King West, Liberty Village, Yonge/Bloor corridor)
- Yonge corridor mid-rise (North York Centre, Yonge/Eglinton, Yonge/Sheppard)
- Humber Bay Shores waterfront condos in Etobicoke
- Square One area buildings in Mississauga
- Highway 7 corridor buildings in Markham
- Bayview Village and Don Mills mid-rise condos
Each building has its own renovation rules but the process is the same across the GTA.
Stacking Rules and Renovation Etiquette
Many Toronto condo buildings have stacking rules that prevent two units in the same vertical column from renovating simultaneously. If a neighbour above or below is also mid-renovation, your start date may shift. We coordinate with management to navigate this and prevent cascading drain issues during demo.
