Bathroom Renovations in Riverside South and Findlay Creek

Riverside SouthFindlay Creek2026

Bathroom Renovations in Riverside South and Findlay Creek

Is upgrading a builder grade bathroom worth it, what it costs, and what happens to your Tarion warranty.

Bytown Better Bathtubs and Showers

By Curtis McGrath, Project Coordinator | 18 years renovation experience | Bytown Better Bathtubs and Showers | Updated October 2026

Riverside South and Findlay Creek are two of the newest and fastest-growing parts of south Ottawa. Riverside South saw its first homes built in 1996 and has grown steadily since, while Findlay Creek is a rapidly expanding suburban neighbourhood within Leitrim, between Leitrim Road and Rideau Road from Bank Street to Albion Road. Most homes in both areas came with builder grade bathrooms, and many owners are now ready for something better. Here is what a builder grade bathroom upgrade involves, what it costs, and what to know about your warranty.

What Is a Builder Grade Bathroom?

A builder grade bathroom is the standard package a builder installs to keep a new home on budget. It works, but it is chosen for cost and speed rather than for how long it lasts or how it looks ten years later.

What you typically find

In many newer south Ottawa homes, that means a one-piece acrylic or fibreglass tub and shower unit, a basic laminate vanity, standard chrome fixtures, a small exhaust fan, and very little tile. Ensuites often have a larger tub that gets little use, and the main bathroom is usually a straightforward tub and shower combination.

Why owners upgrade

Builder grade units can start to flex, stain, or crack after several years of daily use, and the look dates quickly. Many homeowners also want a walk-in shower instead of a tub they rarely use, better ventilation, and finishes that match the way they actually live in the house.

Is Upgrading a Builder Grade Bathroom Worth It?

The honest answer depends on how long you plan to stay. Curtis keeps it simple: if you want five years out of the house, then yes, and our project manager William Culleton agrees. Over five years or more you get real daily use out of a better bathroom, and you avoid living with a tub and shower unit that is already starting to wear.

If you plan to sell soon, a full builder grade bathroom upgrade may not pay back before you move. In that case, a smaller project such as replacing a worn unit with a new shower can make more sense than a full gut.

Will a Renovation Affect My Tarion Warranty?

This is a common question in newer neighbourhoods, because many homes in Riverside South and Findlay Creek are still within their Tarion new home warranty period. In Ontario, the Tarion warranty generally covers workmanship and materials in the first year, plumbing, electrical, and heating delivery systems and water penetration in the first two years, and major structural defects for seven years.

Curtis explains it plainly: if you take out the bathroom that is under the builder’s warranty and put in a new one, it stands to reason that the warranty no longer applies to a bathroom that no longer exists. Will adds that the coverage effectively transfers: you have a new warranty with us on the new bathroom.

What to do before you renovate

If your home is still in its first two years and you have noticed a defect in the bathroom, such as a leak or a plumbing problem, report it to your builder and through Tarion before the renovation starts, and keep copies of everything. Once the original bathroom is gone, that part of the builder’s coverage no longer applies to it.

Builder Grade Bathroom Upgrade Costs for 2026

Bytown’s pricing in Riverside South and Findlay Creek is the same as across the rest of Ottawa. Here is how the main options compare:

For every project size and what each includes, see our bathroom remodeling cost guide.

How to Plan a Builder Grade Bathroom Upgrade

1. Decide how long you will stay. If you plan to be in the house five years or more, a full upgrade is worth it. If not, consider a smaller project.
2. Check your Tarion status. If the home is still in its first two years, report any bathroom defects to your builder and Tarion before work starts.
3. Choose tub or shower. Many owners swap the builder tub and shower unit for a walk-in shower, but keep at least one tub in the house for family and resale.
4. Upgrade the ventilation. Replace an undersized builder fan with a properly sized, ducted, insulated exhaust fan.
5. Get a written quote. A written, upfront quote shows exactly what is included before work starts.

Why Riverside South and Findlay Creek Families Choose Bytown Bath

We have served Ottawa since 2020 and we renovate bathrooms only, including many newer homes in Riverside South and Findlay Creek. We know exactly how builder grade bathrooms are put together, and what it takes to replace them with something built to last.

Every quote is written and upfront, our installs are handled by professionally trained installers, and every shower and tub surround we build is fully waterproofed. We back the product and labour with a written warranty, so your new bathroom is covered once the builder’s coverage on the old one no longer applies. Payment is 50 percent on booking and 50 percent on completion. Whether you call it a bathroom remodel or a full bathroom renovation, the price is the same as anywhere else in Ottawa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is upgrading a builder grade bathroom worth it?

If you plan to stay in the house for five years or more, yes. You get years of daily use out of a better bathroom. If you plan to sell soon, a smaller project such as a new shower may make more sense than a full renovation.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Riverside South and Findlay Creek?

The same as the rest of Ottawa. A full bathroom renovation typically runs about $20,000 to $25,000 CAD, and a tub-to-shower conversion or new shower runs $13,000 to $15,000 CAD.

Will renovating my bathroom affect my Tarion warranty?

It affects that bathroom. Once the original bathroom is removed, the builder’s warranty no longer applies to it, and the new bathroom is covered by Bytown’s written warranty. If you have a defect to report, do it before the renovation starts.

What does the Tarion warranty cover?

Generally, workmanship and materials for one year, plumbing, electrical, and heating delivery systems and water penetration for two years, and major structural defects for seven years. Check with Tarion for the details of your own coverage.

Does Bytown charge more for Riverside South or Findlay Creek?

No. Both areas are priced the same as the rest of Ottawa, and there is no travel charge for a bathroom renovation.

Related Guides from Bytown Bath

Helpful Outside Resources