Can I gut my bathroom and redo everything myself or do I need a contractor?

You can handle some bathroom renovation tasks yourself, but gutting and redoing everything typically requires licensed professionals for plumbing, electrical, and permit work. Most complete bathroom renovations involve work that must be done by licensed tradespeople to meet Ontario Building Code requirements.

What you can DIY: Demolition (carefully), painting, installing accessories like towel bars and mirrors, and some finishing touches. You might also handle tasks like removing old fixtures once utilities are disconnected by professionals. However, even demolition requires caution around plumbing lines, electrical wiring, and load-bearing elements.

What requires licensed professionals: All plumbing rough-in and connections, electrical work including new circuits for heated floors or exhaust fans, and any structural modifications. In Ottawa, moving plumbing lines or adding new bathroom circuits requires permits, and permit applications must be submitted by licensed contractors. The waterproofing behind shower areas is also critical - improper installation can lead to expensive water damage down the road.

Ontario Building Code considerations: Complete bathroom renovations typically require building permits, especially when relocating fixtures or adding new plumbing. City of Ottawa requirements may vary - confirm with your licensed contractor about what permits are needed for your specific project. Licensed contractors handle permit applications and ensure all work meets code requirements.

The practical reality: While you might save on labor costs, bathroom renovations involve coordinating multiple trades (plumbing, electrical, tiling, drywall) in a specific sequence. Mistakes with waterproofing or plumbing can cost thousands more to fix than hiring professionals initially. Most homeowners find that partnering with experienced contractors for the technical work while handling some finishing tasks themselves offers the best balance of cost savings and quality results.

For a complete gut renovation, consider getting a free consultation to understand which aspects you can tackle yourself and which require professional expertise.

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Find a Licensed Contractor

Ottawa Bathrooms connects you with vetted, licensed renovation contractors from the Ottawa Construction Network:

• Davinci Tiling ✓
• Montgomery Construction ✓
• CMA Restoration Group inc ✓