Bathroom Renovation Electrical in Toronto

If you're looking for a bathroom renovation electrician in Toronto, this Guide covers the electrical items to plan, when the electrician needs to be there, and how the ESA permit fits.

For the bigger picture on renovation work, see What a Renovation Electrician Does.

What Makes Bathroom Electrical Different

Electricity and water don't mix, so the Ontario Electrical Safety Code has specific requirements for bathrooms. These affect where receptacles and some fixtures can go, which ones need ground fault protection, and what kinds of fixtures are suitable for damp areas near tubs and showers.

Your electrician applies those requirements to your layout. As the homeowner, your job is to decide what you want in the room early, so it can be planned before walls and ceilings close.

The Main Items to Plan

Exhaust fan

A bathroom exhaust fan helps manage moisture. From the electrical side, the questions are where it mounts, how it's switched or controlled, and whether it combines a light. The ducting is part of the wider renovation plan, so coordinate it with your contractor.

Lighting

Most bathrooms benefit from layered lighting: a main ceiling light or pot lights, vanity lighting at the mirror, and sometimes a light over the tub or shower. Fixtures in damp locations need to be suitable for that location. Decide on switch locations and any dimmers now.

Receptacles and ground fault protection

Bathroom receptacles near the sink need ground fault protection under the code. This can be provided by a GFCI receptacle or by other approved means. Your electrician decides how it's done for your layout.

Heated floors

Electric in-floor heating is a popular bathroom upgrade. It needs its own planning: a circuit with the right capacity, a thermostat location, and protection as required by the code and the heating system's manufacturer. The heating mat or cable is laid before tile, so timing matters. We install electric floor heating ourselves, from the mat or cable to the circuit and thermostat, so the timing lines up before the tile goes down.

Other powered fixtures

Towel warmers, lit or heated mirrors, powered bidet seats and in-wall speakers all need power planned in the right spot. Make a list of anything you might want, even if you aren't sure yet.

Panel space

Several new circuits can use up panel space. We check your panel as part of the planning.

Timing: Rough-In Before Tile

The order of work in a bathroom is tight because so much is hidden behind tile and drywall.

1. Planning. We review the layout and your fixture list before demolition.
2. Rough-in. With walls and ceiling open, boxes go in and new wiring is run for the fan, lights, receptacles and heated floor.
3. Rough-in inspection. ESA describes the rough-in inspection as taking place before wiring is hidden by insulation, vapour barrier or drywall.
4. Close-up. Drywall or cement board, waterproofing, heated floor and tile.
5. Devices and fixtures. Fan, lights, receptacles, thermostat and other fixtures go in.
6. Final inspection. ESA's guidance is to request it as soon as possible after the electrical installation is complete.

We don't promise durations. Scope, other trades and ESA scheduling all play a part.

Do You Need an ESA Permit?

ESA explains that a renovation inspection covers any change to original wiring, including repair and replacement of devices. A bathroom renovation with new circuits, a new fan or relocated lights is a change to the wiring.

ESA advises that anyone you hire for electrical work in your home must, by law, be a Licensed Electrical Contractor, and that Licensed Electrical Contractors file the notification of work with ESA.

We take out the ESA permit and arrange the inspection. When the work is accepted, ask for the ESA Certificate of Acceptance and keep it with your records.

Condo Bathrooms

In a condo, bathroom work may be limited by building rules and by what's in concrete walls or ceilings. We help with condo board and property manager communication on the electrical side, but you as the owner may still need to be involved in approvals and building requirements.

Planning More Than One Room?

Bathrooms are often renovated alongside a kitchen or basement. The steps are similar, but the electrical focus is different. See Kitchen Renovation Electrical in Toronto: Circuits, Timing & Permits and Basement Renovation Electrical in Toronto.

Checklist for Your First Call

• Layout or designer's drawings
• Fan, lighting and mirror choices (or a wish list)
• Whether you want a heated floor
• Any other powered fixtures
• Your renovation schedule and other trades
• House or condo, and city

Please don't do your own bathroom electrical work. Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor with an ESA permit.

Electro Group Ltd. holds ESA Licence #7017939.

Next Steps

Planning a bathroom renovation in Toronto or the GTA?

• Request a free quote
• Call 289-814-7241

Tell us your city, home type and what you want in the new bathroom. We'll plan the circuits, rough-in around your other trades and take out the ESA permit.

Electro Group Ltd. · Toronto and the GTA · 289-814-7241 · ESA Licence #7017939

FAQ

Do bathroom receptacles need GFCI protection?
Receptacles near a bathroom sink need ground fault protection under the code. Your electrician decides how it's provided for your layout.

Does a heated floor need its own circuit?
Heated floors need their own circuit planning, including capacity, thermostat location and the protection required by the code and the manufacturer.

When should the electrician come in on a bathroom reno?
Before demolition for planning, then for rough-in while walls are open, before tile and drywall.

Who takes out the ESA permit?
We do. We take out the ESA permit and arrange the inspection.