Should I pick a wall-mounted medicine cabinet or a recessed one, and what are the rough installation costs in Toronto?

Wall-mounted medicine cabinets are easier to install and more flexible for positioning, while recessed cabinets offer a sleeker, built-in look but require wall cavity space and more complex installation. For most GTA bathroom renovations, wall-mounted is the practical choice unless you're doing a full renovation that involves opening walls.

Wall-mounted medicine cabinets simply attach to the wall surface with screws into studs or appropriate wall anchors. Installation takes 30-60 minutes and costs $150-$300 in labour if you're hiring a handyperson or contractor. The main advantage is flexibility — you can position the cabinet at any height and location without worrying about what's inside the wall. This is especially important in GTA condos where concrete walls, electrical conduits, and plumbing lines can be anywhere behind the drywall. Wall-mounted cabinets also work well in older Toronto homes where wall cavities may contain knob-and-tube wiring, cast iron vent stacks, or other obstacles.

Recessed medicine cabinets are installed between wall studs, creating a flush, built-in appearance that doesn't protrude into the bathroom space. This is valuable in small GTA bathrooms and condo powder rooms where every inch of space matters. However, installation is more complex and expensive — expect $300-$600 in labour costs because it involves cutting a precise opening in the drywall, potentially relocating electrical wiring or plumbing, and finishing the cut edges. The cabinet must fit between studs (typically 14.5 inches maximum width for 16-inch stud spacing), and you need to verify there are no electrical wires, plumbing lines, or HVAC ducts in that wall cavity.

For GTA renovations, consider your wall type carefully. Many Toronto condos have concrete exterior walls where recessing is impossible without major structural work. Older Toronto homes may have plaster walls over wood lath, which requires careful cutting to avoid cracking. Interior walls in modern homes are usually drywall over wood studs — the easiest scenario for recessed installation.

Cabinet costs range from $200-$800 for quality units regardless of mounting style, with recessed models typically $50-$150 more expensive due to the built-in frame requirements. Popular features in the GTA market include LED lighting (adds $100-$200), electrical outlets inside the cabinet for electric toothbrushes and shavers (requires electrical work), and soft-close hinges.

Hire a professional if you're installing a recessed cabinet — cutting into walls requires knowledge of what's behind them, and electrical work for interior lighting requires a licensed electrician and ESA inspection. Wall-mounted installation is a reasonable DIY project for handy homeowners with a stud finder and level.