Main Bathroom Renovation

Tune in to ONSITE with Mike Bosch as he walks you through the process — step by step — and shows you what it really takes to transform a bathroom from outdated to outstanding.

In most homes, the main bathroom or hallway bathroom is a busy space. It’s often the kids’ bathroom on the second floor, and it sees daily use from morning routines through bedtime. When we complete a main bathroom renovation, our goal is to give families a space that looks great and also stands up to everyday life. As a renovation contractor, Bosch Services follows a consistent process from full demo through to finishing so you know what’s happening at each step.

This walkthrough is based on a typical main bathroom renovation we complete for homeowners in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, and Waterdown, from taking everything out to rebuilding with new mechanical, tile, and fixtures.

Step 1: Full demo and careful inspection

In a typical Bosch Services main bathroom renovation, we completely gut the space. We remove the tub, vanity, toilet, flooring, drywall, and tile, and we usually leave only the ceiling drywall so we don’t disturb the insulation in the attic space above. Once everything’s open, we can see the real condition of the bathroom.

At that point, we inspect all the wall studs and the subfloor for rotten plywood, past leaks, and any signs of mold. If we find issues, we deal with them while everything’s open, instead of covering problems back up. This is one of the reasons a full demo is so important in an older main bathroom. It gives us a chance to fix what’s underneath, not just refresh the finishes on top.

Step 2: Backing and framing for long‑term use

Once the old finishes and fixtures are out and the structure’s been checked, we install backing where we know hardware will go. That includes areas for towel bars and other wall‑mounted accessories. By adding proper backing inside the walls, we can fasten these fixtures securely so they’re less likely to get pulled loose and leave holes that need patching later.

We also make sure the framing is ready for new tile backer and any soap niche or storage details planned for the shower or tub surround.

Step 3: Plumbing updates and new tub installation

When the room’s ready for mechanical work, our professional plumber comes in. They install the new tub and all the faucets for the main bathroom renovation, making sure everything is set properly from the start.

We check that the toilet flange, which is the ring the toilet sits on, is in good condition and at the right height for the new floor. We also confirm that the vanity plumbing is in the right place and update shut‑off valves as needed. Drains are cut back and replaced with new to ensure a clean, reliable connection. This step helps prevent future leaks and makes sure the new bathroom is set up for long‑term performance.

Step 4: Tile backer, tile, and the soap niche

With plumbing roughed in, we install fresh backing for tile in the tub and shower area. Then we move on to setting new tile. Many of our main bathroom renovations include a built‑in soap niche. A niche can be almost any size, and we’ll usually place it on an interior wall.

We avoid putting a niche into an exterior wall where insulation is needed to keep the bathroom warm and comfortable in our climate. That way, you get the storage and clean look of a built‑in niche without compromising the insulation in the outside wall.

Step 5: Ventilation and fan replacement

Good ventilation is a key part of any main bathroom renovation. As part of our process, we remove the old exhaust fan and replace it with a new unit. We also replace the exterior roof vent and the duct or hose that runs from the fan to the roof.

On this project, the new fan is controlled by a 60‑minute timer, which our electricians install. That makes it easy to leave the fan running after a shower to clear out humidity and protect the finishes, without having to remember to come back and turn it off.

Step 6: Electrical brought up to current code

When our electricians come in, they replace the wiring in the bathroom so it’s brought up to current building code standards. That includes proper circuits for the fan and lighting, and GFCI protection where required. You’ll get a receptacle at the vanity, and depending on the length of the vanity and how many sinks it has, we may add a second outlet so there’s enough power for everyday use.

We also install the switch for the light fixture above the sink and a separate switch for the pot light in the shower area. Together, these updates make the bathroom safer and more comfortable to use.

What a typical Bosch Services main bathroom includes

By the time a main bathroom renovation is complete, you’re not just looking at new tile and a new vanity. You’re getting:

• A fully gutted and rebuilt bathroom where underlying issues have been addressed.
• New plumbing fixtures, drains, and shut‑offs installed by a professional plumber.
• New tile backer, tile, and a properly placed soap niche.
• A new exhaust fan, vent, and ducting to improve ventilation.
• Updated electrical brought to current code, with appropriate outlets and lighting.
• Backing in the walls so towel bars and accessories stay put.

That’s what we mean when we talk about a typical Bosch Services main bathroom. It’s a complete rebuild that focuses on what’s behind the walls as much as what you see on the surface.

Thinking about a main bathroom renovation?

If you’re planning a main bathroom renovation or looking at updating a kids’ bathroom on the second floor, it can help to work with a renovation contractor that looks at the whole space, not just the finishes. Bosch Services renovates bathrooms as part of larger interior projects and as stand‑alone updates, always with the same focus on quality, cleanliness, and doing the work properly.

You can learn more about our bathroom renovations, find out why homeowners choose Bosch, or contact Bosch Services to talk about your own main bathroom renovation.