Bathroom Renovations in Burlington, ON: A Homeowner's Guide From a Local Tile Pro

The short answer: a good Burlington bathroom renovation starts with a clear plan (layout, tile, shower type), a quick check on whether you need a City of Burlington building permit, and an installer who can show you what goes behind the tile, not just the finished photos. I’m Mike Bourdages of Burlington Tile. My shop is at 2101 Meadowbrook Rd, Unit H, and I build custom bathrooms, curbless and steam showers, and slab and large-format tile work in Burlington, Millcroft, Aldershot, Oakville and across Halton. This is the guide I wish every homeowner read before calling anyone, including me.

What a Burlington bathroom renovation usually involves

Every job is different, but most full renovations go through the same stages:

1. Design and selections: layout, shower type, tile, fixtures, vanity, glass.
2. Permits (if needed): more on that below.
3. Demolition: down to the studs and subfloor in the areas being redone.
4. Rough-ins: plumbing and electrical moved or added, then inspected where required.
5. Framing and substrate: flattening floors and walls, backer board, blocking for grab bars and glass.
6. Waterproofing: in my showers that’s a Laticrete Hydro Ban membrane over a custom-sloped cement mortar bed (never a foam pre-slope or tray), with no traditional liner pan, then an overnight flood test once the membrane has cured.
7. Tile: set with Laticrete thinset and full coverage, then grout and Laticrete LATASIL silicone (over LATASIL 9118 Primer in every shower).
8. Finishing: glass, fixtures, vanity, accessories, final clean.

How long that takes depends on scope and materials. Our renovation timeline guide walks through each phase.

Do you need a permit in Burlington?

Sometimes. The City of Burlington says construction projects related to a building generally need a building permit under the Building Code Act, with a list of exceptions. Replacing plumbing fixtures of the same type in the same location is on that exceptions list. Moving or adding plumbing, structural changes (like recessing a floor for a curbless shower) and new walls are the kinds of changes to ask about. Electrical permits come from the Electrical Safety Authority, not the City.

The rules are the City’s to interpret, not mine, so always confirm with the City of Burlington building department. Our Burlington permit guide has the details.

What Burlington homeowners are asking for right now

Curbless showers

Step-free, one continuous floor, nothing to trip over. They look amazing and they’re great for aging in place. They’re also technical: the shower floor has to sit lower than the bathroom floor so water drains without a curb. Read the Complete Curbless Shower Guide. Our Alton Village project is a good example: porcelain panels floor to ceiling and a linear drain at the entry.

Porcelain slabs and large-format tile

Huge panels with almost no grout lines. The Headon Forest shower on our site uses gold-veined Calacatta-look porcelain slabs, and the Waterdown “panda” bathroom wraps black-and-white veining across walls and floor. See Porcelain Slab Showers.

Steam showers and heated floors

The spa features. A steam shower needs a sealed, sloped-ceiling enclosure and extra vapour detailing. A heated floor is the comfort upgrade you’ll thank yourself for every January.

Custom mosaics

Some of my favourite jobs are the ones with a story, like our ski chalet shower with a backlit onyx mountain mosaic in the niche, or the Bluffs shower with water-jet mosaic designs and a chandelier. Clients notice. Katherine W. wrote in her Google review, “He is an artist!” and Kyle G. said, “He had such great ideas and creativity!”

How to choose a bathroom installer in Burlington

You’ll find plenty of people who’ll “do tile.” Here’s how to find someone who’ll do it right:

• Ask for in-progress photos. Membrane, drain, the back of a pulled tile. Anyone can show an “after” shot. (Why this matters)
• Ask what waterproofing system they use, by name, and whether they flood-test before tile.
• Ask how they set large tile. If the answer involves dots of mortar, run. Those are the pancake pros and cookie monsters. (Here’s why)
• Read the reviews properly: newest first, look for details, and read the owner’s replies. (How to read Google reviews like a pro)
• Get the warranty in writing. Mine is a 25-year warranty on tile-setting workmanship.
• Make sure the quote is itemized. See what drives tile installation cost and how to compare quotes.

As of October 17, 2026, Burlington Tile has a 4.9-star rating from 26 Google reviews. Read our Google reviews.

Where I work

I’m based in Burlington and work across Burlington neighbourhoods including Millcroft, Aldershot, Headon Forest, Alton Village and the Bluffs, plus Oakville and the rest of Halton. Mike to confirm full service-area list, e.g., Waterdown, Hamilton, Milton

Mike to confirm 2–3 sentences of local know-how, e.g., common issues you see in older Burlington homes (subfloors, original tub surrounds, basement bathrooms) and in newer subdivisions. Only include what you’ve actually seen.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bathroom renovation take in Burlington?

A typical custom bathroom on my jobs takes about 3 to 4 weeks, but it depends on scope, glass lead times and selections like slabs, which have their own lead times. Plan for design and ordering before demo day, and build in cure times for waterproofing and the flood test. See our timeline guide for the phases.

Do I need a permit to renovate a bathroom in Burlington?

Swapping fixtures in the same location is on the City’s list of work that doesn’t need a building permit. Moving plumbing, structural changes and new walls are the kinds of changes to check. Confirm with the City of Burlington building department before you start.

Can I stay in my house during a bathroom renovation?

Most people do. If it’s your only bathroom, plan for it before demo starts and ask your installer how they manage dust and water shut-offs.

Do you work in Oakville and the rest of Halton?

Yes, I work in Oakville and across Halton as well as Burlington. Call to check your street if you’re near the edge of the area.

What makes Burlington Tile different?

I focus on high-end tile and custom showers, I show you what goes behind the tile, I use one waterproofing system I trust, and every job comes with a 25-year warranty on tile-setting workmanship.

By Mike Bourdages, Burlington Tile. Last reviewed Mike to confirm review date.