What order do the trades typically work in during a complete bathroom renovation?

A complete bathroom renovation in the GTA follows a specific sequence of trades that cannot be rearranged — plumbing and electrical rough-in must happen before waterproofing, waterproofing must happen before tile, and tile must happen before fixture installation. Getting this sequence wrong causes delays, code violations, and costly rework.

Your general contractor is responsible for scheduling and coordinating the trades in the correct order. Here is the typical sequence for a complete bathroom gut renovation in a Toronto home, from demolition day to final walkthrough.

Phase 1: Demolition (Days 1-2)

The demolition crew strips the bathroom down to the studs and subfloor. This includes removing all tile, drywall, the old tub or shower base, vanity, toilet, mirror, lighting, and exhaust fan. In older Toronto homes — particularly the 1950s bungalows across Scarborough and North York or the Edwardian semis in Leslieville and Riverdale — demolition often reveals hidden conditions: rotted subfloor around the toilet, corroded cast iron drains, galvanized supply lines, or outdated wiring. Your contractor should assess these conditions immediately and provide a cost estimate for any additional work before proceeding.

Phase 2: Rough-In Trades (Days 3-7)

The plumber arrives first for rough-in work — relocating or installing drain lines, supply lines, shower valve, tub drain, and toilet flange. If drains are being moved, this is the most complex and time-sensitive phase. The plumber installs the shower valve body, positions all supply and drain connections, and installs shut-off valves. For a new bathroom or significant plumbing modifications, a plumbing permit inspection by the City of Toronto is required before walls are closed.

The electrician follows — running new circuits for GFCI outlets, exhaust fan, heated floor (if applicable), vanity lighting, shower lighting, and any other electrical needs. All bathroom outlets must be GFCI-protected per the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. The electrician installs boxes, runs wire, and prepares for the ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) rough-in inspection, which must pass before walls are closed.

The HVAC technician may be needed if the bathroom has a heating run, ductwork modifications, or if a heat register is being relocated. This happens during the rough-in phase.

If heated floors are being installed, the electric heating mat or cable is typically laid after the subfloor is prepared but before the tile backer board and waterproofing — though some systems (like Schluter Ditra-Heat) integrate with the waterproofing layer and are installed during that phase.

Phase 3: Inspections (Days 8-12)

This is often a forced pause in the schedule. Plumbing and electrical inspections must pass before any walls are closed. In Toronto, inspection wait times vary from 2 to 7 business days depending on the city's current backlog. Your contractor should book inspections immediately after rough-in is complete to minimize delays.

Phase 4: Close-Up, Backer Board, and Waterproofing (Days 13-15)

Once inspections pass, the framing and drywall crew installs cement board backer (Durock, Wonderboard, or DensShield) on all shower and tub surround walls, and moisture-resistant drywall (green board or purple board) on remaining bathroom walls. The waterproofing specialist or tile installer then applies the waterproof membrane — Schluter Kerdi sheet membrane, or a liquid-applied membrane like RedGard or Mapei AquaDefense — over the entire shower area, including the shower floor or tub deck. Waterproofing must cure fully (typically 24 hours) before tile installation begins.

Phase 5: Tile Installation (Days 16-21)

The tile installer works from the shower walls outward — shower floor first (if a custom shower base), then shower walls, then bathroom floor, then any accent walls or wainscoting. Tile installation is the most time-intensive trade in a bathroom renovation, typically taking 3 to 5 days for a standard bathroom. Grouting follows after tile has set (24 hours minimum), and grout must cure before heavy use.

Phase 6: Finishing Trades (Days 22-25)

The plumber returns for fixture trim-out — installing the toilet, vanity faucet, shower trim (handle, showerhead, tub spout), and any accessories. The electrician returns for device installation — GFCI outlets, light fixtures, exhaust fan, switches, and heated floor thermostat. The painter finishes ceiling and any non-tiled walls. The carpenter or contractor installs the vanity, countertop, mirror, towel bars, grab bars, and all bathroom hardware. Finally, shower glass is measured and installed — often one of the last items, as glass enclosures are custom-measured after tile is complete.

A well-coordinated project keeps every trade working in sequence with minimal downtime between phases. Find experienced bathroom renovation contractors through the Toronto Construction Network directory at torontoconstructionnetwork.com.