Before Signing a Bathroom Renovation Contract: Scope, Payments, Change Orders and Warranty Terms
Key Takeaways
- Ontario requires a written contract for renovations worth more than \$50, and recommends deposits of no more than 10%.
- Top 3 recommendations: Sosna Inc. is Best for Bathrooms Within Larger Renovations and Additions, Easy Renovation is Best for Responsive Customer Support in Toronto, and Lampert Renovations is Best for Tub-to-Shower Conversions and Acrylic Liner Systems.
- A detailed scope protects you more than any other clause, because anything left out usually costs extra.
- Every change order should be written and signed, with its cost and any schedule change.
A bathroom renovation contract should spell out the full scope, a payment schedule tied to milestones, how change orders are approved, and what the warranty covers. Ontario requires a written contract over \$50 and recommends deposits of no more than 10%. Read every clause before you sign, not after the first surprise.
Most contract disputes start with something that was never written down. A missing allowance, a vague tile spec or a verbal change order can turn into hundreds or thousands of dollars by the end of the job.
This guide is independent: no affiliate links, no referral fees and nothing earned from the three firms profiled below.
What Ontario Law Already Requires
Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act sets a baseline before you negotiate anything else. The renovation rights page from the Government of Ontario lists these protections:
- Written contract: Any home renovation contract worth more than \$50 must be in writing.
- Cooling-off period: Contracts of \$50 or more signed in your home come with a 10-day cooling-off period.
- Estimate cap: The final price cannot exceed the original estimate by more than 10% unless you have agreed to new work or a new price.
- Deposits: The province recommends paying no more than 10% up front.
The same page says the contract should include warranties, total cost, payment terms, a work schedule with start and completion dates, cleanup responsibility, and who pays sub-trades.
Scope: The Clause Everything Else Depends On
Scope defines exactly what you are paying for, and every other clause relies on it. CMHC advises assuming that anything not specifically listed in the estimate will involve extra costs and possibly extra time.
A bathroom scope should name these items, not just “supply and install”:
- Waterproofing system: The membrane brand and where it extends
- Tile: Product or allowance per square foot, pattern and trim
- Fixtures: Who supplies the vanity, toilet, faucets and glass, with model numbers or allowances
- Electrical: Fan, lighting, heated floor and ESA notification
- Permits and inspections: Who applies, books and attends
- Demolition and disposal: Including what happens if damage is found behind the walls
Allowances deserve a careful read, because a low tile allowance makes a quote look cheaper than it is.
Fixed Price vs Cost-Plus
Bathroom contracts usually follow one of two pricing models. The contract guide from HomeStars explains both.
| Model | How you pay | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed price | One agreed price for the defined scope | Clear scope with selections finalized |
| Cost-plus (time and materials) | Actual costs plus a markup or fee | Older homes with unknown conditions |
Fixed price gives you budget certainty, as long as the scope is detailed. Cost-plus can suit a project with unknowns, but it needs regular cost reporting to stay transparent.
Payments, Deposits and Holdbacks
Payment schedules work best when each payment follows completed work. CMHC recommends a payment schedule that shows how much you pay at each stage of the job.
A typical bathroom schedule might tie payments to demolition, rough-in, tile completion and final inspection. Never pay the full amount before the work is done, a point Ontario’s guide makes directly.
HomeStars also recommends setting aside a contingency of 10 to 15% for unexpected work. It separately suggests holding back part of each payment, which helps protect you if a subcontractor files a lien.
Change Orders in Writing
Change orders are written amendments to the contract’s scope or price. HomeStars recommends that each one show the cost difference against the original fixed price.
Every change order should include:
- A description of the change
- The added or reduced cost
- Any change to the completion date
- Signatures from both you and the contractor
Verbal approvals are a common source of end-of-job billing disputes.
Warranty Terms to Read Line by Line
Warranty clauses vary more than any other part of a renovation contract. CMHC suggests asking what kind of warranty the contractor provides and what it covers.
Read for these details:
- Length: How long workmanship is covered, and whether waterproofing has a separate term
- Exclusions: Grout, caulking and silicone often carry shorter coverage
- Manufacturer warranties: HomeStars says the contractor should hand these over at completion
- Claims process: How you report a problem and how fast the contractor responds
The warranty program run by Tarion covers new homes built in Ontario, so a renovation depends on the contractor’s own written warranty.
Top 3 Recommended Bathroom Contractors
These three firms publish clear contract and warranty information, and each fits a different kind of project. Details below reflect each firm’s public profiles as of October 2026\.
| Company | Best For | Contract and Warranty Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Sosna Inc. | Best for Bathrooms Within Larger Renovations and Additions | Dedicated designer and project manager; manages permits |
| Easy Renovation | Best for Responsive Customer Support in Toronto | Fixed-price itemized contract; 2-year warranty; 5-year waterproofing warranty |
| Lampert Renovations | Best for Tub-to-Shower Conversions and Acrylic Liner Systems | Limited 2-year warranty; 1 year on grout and silicone |
1\. Sosna Inc.: Best for Bathrooms Within Larger Renovations and Additions
Sosna Inc. builds bathrooms as part of larger renovations, including whole-floor projects and home additions. The Vaughan-based firm has operated since 2001 and has held BBB A+ accreditation since 2012.
Its review record is long and consistent. Sosna shows 5.0 from 92 reviews on Houzz with 14 Best of Houzz awards, and 5/5 from 65 reviews on HomeStars.
Each client works with a dedicated designer and project manager, and the firm manages the permit process. It is also a CHBA member.
Standout Features
- More than two decades in business with long-standing BBB accreditation
- A designer and project manager assigned to each client
- Permit management included
Factors to Consider
- Its focus on larger projects may be more than a single-bathroom refresh needs
- Warranty terms are not published online, so request them in writing
Recommended For: Homeowners renovating a bathroom as part of a main-floor overhaul or an addition.
Contact:
Address: 7250 Keele St, Unit 372, Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8
Phone: (416) 888-7366
YouTube: youtube&\#46;com/user/SosnaInc
2\. Easy Renovation: Best for Responsive Customer Support in Toronto
Easy Renovation earns its place here on communication and contract clarity. The firm uses a fixed-price contract, fully itemized from the start with scope, materials and labour, and any change is costed, scheduled and documented within 48 hours.
Clients point to that clarity and communication in their reviews. Its Etobicoke listing holds 5.0 from 87 Google reviews, and one 2026 Google review reads:
“They were clear about pricing so you can understand the impact of materials selection and features on the final cost. … The team communicated well through the whole process and the workmanship was excellent.”
Paula Steel, Google review, 5 stars
The same reviewer noted that once the design and cost were agreed, the team provided a clear breakdown of the payment schedule.
Easy Renovation won the HomeStars Best of the Best Award four years running, 2022 to 2025, and earned Best of Houzz recognition from 2021 to 2024\.
It also holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and RenoMark and NKBA memberships.
Warranty coverage is where the contract stands out most. Bathroom waterproofing carries its own 5-year warranty, on top of a 2-year project warranty and \$5 million in liability insurance, across a record of 500+ GTA projects by trades averaging 30+ years of experience.
Easy Renovation has been featured in blogTO, Streets of Toronto, the Toronto Sun and Urban Toronto, and a February 2026 blogTO partner feature noted that it handles design, materials and construction, with bathrooms averaging seven days.
Standout Features
- Change orders costed and documented within 48 hours
- A dedicated project manager and a single fixed-price, itemized contract
- A separate 5-year warranty on waterproofing
Factors to Consider
- Showroom and design studio visits are by appointment
- Its fixed-price model works best once selections are final, so late design changes go through the change-order process
Recommended For: Toronto homeowners who want fast answers, clear paperwork and one point of contact from design to handover.
Contact:
Address: 68 Jutland Rd, Unit 9, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 0G7
Phone: 647-931-0164
Instagram: instagram.com/easy.reno/
3\. Lampert Renovations: Best for Tub-to-Shower Conversions and Acrylic Liner Systems
Lampert Renovations specializes in bathroom work such as tub-to-walk-in-shower conversions and acrylic liner systems. The family’s trade roots go back to J. Lampert Plumbing and Heating, opened in 1926, and Lawrence Lampert has run the renovation business since 1995\.
Its contract terms are unusually specific. Lampert offers a limited 2-year warranty on all renovations, with grout and silicone covered for one year, and states WSIB coverage and \$5 million in liability insurance.
The firm uses in-house certified plumbers and runs a showroom by appointment. On Houzz, it holds 4.8 from 24 reviews and won Best of Houzz in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022\.
Standout Features
- Written warranty terms that separate grout and silicone coverage
- In-house certified plumbers
- A trade lineage spanning four generations
Factors to Consider
- The showroom is by appointment only
- Permit handling is not described on its site, so confirm it in the contract
Recommended For: Homeowners replacing a tub with a walk-in shower, or choosing an acrylic liner system over a full retile.
Contact:
Address: 119 Miranda Ave, Toronto, ON M6B 3W8
Phone: 416-787-4925
Instagram: instagram&\#46;com/lampertrenovations/
Before You Sign: A Final Checklist
Run through this list with the contract in hand:
- Does the scope name the waterproofing system, tile, fixtures and allowances?
- Are start and completion dates written in?
- Is the deposit 10% or less, with payments tied to completed stages?
- Does the contract say who handles permits and inspections?
- Is there a written change-order process with signatures?
- Are the warranty length, exclusions and claims process stated?
- Does the business name match its City licence and insurance certificate?
Contract Questions Homeowners Ask
How much deposit should I pay for a bathroom renovation?
Ontario recommends a deposit of no more than 10%.
Can the final price exceed the quote?
The final price cannot exceed the original estimate by more than 10% unless you have agreed to new work or a new price.
Can I cancel a renovation contract I signed at home?
Contracts of \$50 or more signed in your home carry a 10-day cooling-off period in Ontario. You can cancel within that window if you change your mind.
Who should review the contract?
You should read every clause yourself. For a large project, a lawyer’s review is a reasonable expense compared with the cost of a dispute.
The Last Word
A strong bathroom contract names the scope in detail, ties payments to finished work, puts every change in writing and spells out the warranty. Those four elements prevent most renovation disputes before they start.
Sosna Inc., Easy Renovation and Lampert Renovations each show what that looks like in practice. Sosna suits bathrooms inside larger projects, Easy Renovation stands out for responsive support and contract clarity, and Lampert fits tub-to-shower conversions with clearly written warranty terms.