Bathroom Renovations — Old Ottawa South, Ottawa
Bathroom Renovations in Old Ottawa South
Adding a second bathroom or ensuite is a frequent Old Ottawa South request in homes that were built with only one.
The short answer
Magnolia Construction renovates main bathrooms, ensuites, powder rooms and basement bathrooms in Old Ottawa South and across Ottawa, taking each room back to the studs and rebuilding it with full membrane waterproofing, proper ventilation and carefully set tile. A typical full bathroom renovation takes about 3 to 5 weeks on site.
Old Ottawa South homes have generous main-floor proportions and cramped service areas — small kitchens, one bathroom, a tight stair. Most projects rebalance that: expand the back, add a bathroom, and rework the storage.
Trees, narrow driveways and street parking dictate logistics. We plan deliveries and dumpster placement around them so a renovation doesn't take over the block.
Old Ottawa South housing stock
1910–1940 detached and semi-detached homes, Brighton Beach and Windsor Park area
Local permits
Mature-neighbourhood infill rules, tree protection and rear-yard setbacks all apply here. Permit review takes longer than in the suburbs and we schedule for it.
Bathroom additions in Old Ottawa South
Finding the room for a second or third bathroom in a house that was built with one.
Cost guide
What affects the cost of a bathroom renovation in Old Ottawa South?
Every home is different, so we quote from a site visit rather than a price list. These are the factors that move the number most.
Fixture locations
Moving a toilet, shower drain or vanity changes the plumbing — and in older homes, sometimes the floor structure.
Shower type
Curbless and walk-in showers need recessed subfloors, linear drains and more waterproofing than a tub surround.
Tile
Large-format porcelain, natural stone and patterned layouts take more labour and material than standard tile.
Comfort features
Heated floors, steam showers, niches and custom vanities each add to scope.
Hidden conditions
Rotted subfloor, cast-iron stacks or failed old waterproofing are common in Ottawa homes over 40 years old.
Accessibility
Grab-bar blocking, wider doors and zero-threshold entries are planned in from the start.
Process & timeline
How a bathroom renovation works with Magnolia
- 01
Consultation & site visit
We look at the existing room, plumbing access and what you want to change.
- 02
Design & written quote
Layout, tile plan and fixture selections with an itemised quote.
- 03
Ordering & permits
Fixtures, tile and glass ordered; permits where plumbing is relocated.
- 04
Build
Demolition, plumbing and electrical rough-in, waterproofing, tile, glass and fixtures.
- 05
Handover
Final walkthrough, water testing and warranty documentation.
Permits
Permits for a bathroom renovation in Ottawa
A like-for-like bathroom update in Ottawa usually does not need a building permit. Adding a new bathroom, relocating drains or altering structure typically does, and new electrical work requires an ESA notification. We confirm requirements during the site visit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Tiling over a shower without a proper waterproofing membrane.
- Undersized or poorly ducted exhaust fans that leave moisture in the walls.
- Picking tile before planning the layout, so cuts land badly at corners and niches.
- Forgetting blocking for grab bars, glass and heavy vanities before drywall goes up.
By neighbourhood
Bathroom renovations across Ottawa neighbourhoods
Answers
Bathroom renovations in Old Ottawa South: common questions
Serving Old Ottawa South
Book your free Old Ottawa South consultation
Tell us about your bathroom renovation. We'll arrange a walkthrough, talk budget honestly and put together a detailed written quote — no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 613 617 5157. Mon – Fri, 8:00 – 5:00.