Which of our two bathrooms should we renovate first?

Start with your most-used bathroom first - typically the main family bathroom if you have young children, or the master ensuite if it's just adults in the home. This approach minimizes daily disruption and gives you the biggest impact on your daily routine.

Consider your family's bathroom usage patterns when making this decision. If you have kids who share a bathroom for morning routines and bedtime, renovating that space first will have the most immediate benefit. However, if the master ensuite is outdated and you use it multiple times daily, starting there might make more sense. Think about which bathroom causes the most frustration or feels most cramped during busy morning routines.

Practical factors should also guide your choice. If one bathroom has urgent issues like leaking fixtures, failing waterproofing, or safety concerns, that becomes your priority regardless of usage. Similarly, if one bathroom is significantly smaller or simpler to renovate, completing it first can help you work out any design preferences or contractor relationships before tackling the larger project.

From a renovation logistics perspective, starting with the more complex bathroom often works well. Master ensuites typically involve more custom work, higher-end finishes, and potentially more structural changes. Completing the challenging project first means you'll have a fully functional backup bathroom during the second renovation. In Ottawa's market, most bathroom renovations take 2-3 weeks, so having that backup space is crucial.

Budget considerations matter too. If you're planning both renovations within the same year, starting with the more expensive project can help you establish your material preferences and contractor relationship. You might also achieve some cost savings on materials by ordering for both bathrooms simultaneously.

For a consultation on prioritizing your bathroom renovations and creating a timeline that works for your family, Ottawa Bathrooms offers free estimates to help you plan both projects strategically.

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Find a Licensed Contractor

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

• Montgomery Construction ✓
• Justyn Rook Contracting ✓
• Capital Labour Solution ✓