Bathroom Renovations in Westboro: Costs for Older Homes

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

Westboro is one of Ottawa’s most loved neighbourhoods, with tree-lined streets, walkable shops along Richmond Road, and a mix of century homes, postwar houses, and modern infills. That mix is exactly why a bathroom renovation in Westboro is priced differently from the same job in a newer suburb. A 1920s house and a 2020 infill might sit side by side, but what is behind their bathroom walls could not be more different. Here is what drives the cost, and how to plan a renovation that respects an older home.

Why Older Westboro Homes Cost More to Renovate

Westboro grew as a streetcar suburb in the early 1900s, saw major residential building through the 1910s and 1920s, added postwar subdivisions in the 1940s, and was annexed by the City of Ottawa in 1950. That history means a large share of the neighbourhood’s houses are 70 to 100 years old or more.

An older house is not a problem in itself. The cost comes from the fact that a bathroom renovation in an older home is rarely just a new tub, tile, and vanity. Once the walls and floor are opened, the job often includes bringing decades-old plumbing, framing, and electrical up to a standard that will support a new bathroom for the next 30 years. In a newer home, most of that work simply is not needed.

What We Find Behind the Walls in Older Westboro Bathrooms

Every older home is different, but these are the conditions that most often shape the cost of a bathroom renovation in Westboro and nearby neighbourhoods such as Hintonburg, Wellington West, and McKellar Park.

Plaster and lath walls

Many pre-1950 homes have plaster over wood lath instead of drywall. It is solid and quiet, but it is heavier and messier to remove, and it rarely comes out cleanly at the edges. Removal, extra disposal, and patching into the surrounding walls all add labour.

Old supply lines and lead service pipes

Older homes often have galvanized steel supply lines that corrode from the inside and restrict water flow. The City of Ottawa notes that homes built before 1955 may also have a lead water service pipe. The homeowner is responsible for the private portion from the house to the shut-off valve, and the City runs a Lead Pipe Replacement Program for homeowners who want to replace it.

Cast iron drains

Original cast iron drain and vent stacks can last a long time, but after 70 years or more they can crack, rust through, or narrow with buildup. When the bathroom is open, it is often the most sensible time to replace the sections that serve it.

Uneven floors and tired joists

Older floor joists are often notched for past plumbing runs or have sagged over time. A level, solid floor is essential for tile and a new tub or shower pan, so sistering joists or levelling the subfloor is a common line item.

Dated wiring

Some older Ottawa homes still have sections of original wiring, including knob and tube, and many bathrooms lack proper ground fault protection or a dedicated circuit. Electrical work in Ontario falls under the Electrical Safety Authority and should be done by a licensed electrical contractor.

Small, awkward footprints

Bathrooms in older homes were often squeezed in later, under a sloped ceiling or beside a chimney. Making a small room work well takes careful layout planning, and sometimes moving a fixture, which affects plumbing and permit costs.

Bathroom Renovation Costs in Westboro for 2026

Our pricing is the same across Ottawa. What changes in an older Westboro home is how much of the hidden work is needed. Here is how the main project types compare:

For the full picture across every project size, see our bathroom remodeling cost guide.

How to Plan a Bathroom Renovation in an Older Westboro Home

1. Start with an in-home assessment. A walk-through of the bathroom, the basement below, and the access around it shows what the older-home conditions are likely to be before you commit.
2. Build a contingency into the budget. In an older house, set aside room for work that only shows up once the walls and floor are open.
3. Decide what to replace while it is open. Old supply lines, drain sections, and wiring are far cheaper to replace during the renovation than after the new tile is in.
4. Keep the character where it counts. Many Westboro owners pair a modern, fully waterproofed shower with classic tile, trim, and fixtures that suit the age of the house.
5. Get everything in writing. A written quote that separates the base renovation from older-home conditions makes surprises easier to understand and approve.

Why Westboro Families Choose Bytown Bath

We have served Ottawa since 2020 and we renovate bathrooms only. Older homes in Westboro reward a team that expects what is behind the walls instead of being surprised by it, and plans the job, the budget, and the schedule around it from the first visit.

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. Payment is 50 percent on booking and 50 percent on completion. Whether you call it a bathroom remodel or a full bathroom renovation, the goal is the same: a room that works as well as it looks in a house built to last.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Westboro?

A complete bathroom renovation starts from $20,000 CAD, and focused projects such as a tub-to-shower conversion or bathtub remodel run $13,000 to $15,000 CAD. Older-home conditions found behind the walls, such as old pipes or uneven floors, can add to the total.

Why are bathroom renovations more expensive in older homes?

Older homes often need work beyond the new fixtures: removing plaster and lath, replacing galvanized or cast iron plumbing, levelling floors, and updating wiring. That hidden work is what raises the cost compared with a newer house.

Does my Westboro home have lead water pipes?

It may, if it was built before 1955. The City of Ottawa notes that homes of that age can have a lead water service pipe, and it runs a Lead Pipe Replacement Program. The homeowner owns the private portion from the house to the shut-off valve.

How long does a bathroom renovation take in an older home?

Timing depends on the scope and on what is found once the room is opened. Older-home conditions like plumbing or joist repairs can add time, which is why an assessment before booking helps set a realistic schedule.

Can I keep the character of my older bathroom?

Yes. Many homeowners keep period touches such as classic tile patterns, trim, and fixture styles while upgrading everything behind the walls, including a fully waterproofed shower and new plumbing.

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