Renovations · Richmond Hill & GTA
Bathtub Remodel & Tub Replacement in Richmond Hill
A chipped, stained, or leaking bathtub can make the whole bathroom feel dated. Canzeno handles bathtub remodel and tub replacement in Richmond Hill, from removing the old tub to installing the new one and rebuilding the surround. Planning a bigger project? See our bathroom renovation services in Richmond Hill. If nobody in your home uses the tub anymore, a tub to shower conversion may be the better fit.
A bathtub upgrade can be a single tub swap or one part of a wider bathroom update. This page covers what tub replacement includes, the tub styles worth considering, how to tell when replacement makes more sense than a repair, and how our process works.
Tub Replacement Services in Richmond Hill
Tub replacement is three jobs done in order: taking out the old tub, installing the new one, and rebuilding the walls around it. Each step affects how long the new tub lasts, so none of them should be rushed.
Old Bathtub Removal and Disposal
Removing a tub usually means opening the surround tile or panels, disconnecting the drain and overflow, and lifting the tub out. Heavy cast iron tubs are often broken up on site so they can be carried out safely. We remove and dispose of the old tub [confirm with client], so there is nothing left for you to haul away.
With the tub out, the subfloor and framing underneath are exposed. This is the moment to check for hidden water damage and fix it before the new tub goes in.
New Bathtub Installation
A new bathtub has to be level, fully supported, and connected to a drain and overflow that do not leak. We check the new tub against the existing opening, set it, connect the plumbing, and test it before the walls are closed.
If you choose a tub in a different size or style, the drain or water lines may need to move. That changes the scope of the job, so it is planned at the start, not discovered halfway through.
Tub Surround and Tile Replacement
The surround is the wall area around the tub, and it is where most water damage begins. When a tub is replaced, the surround is usually rebuilt too: new backer board, a waterproofing layer, then tile or wall panels.
A new surround is also the right time to add a built-in niche for shampoo and soap. It keeps bottles off the tub edge and gives the wall a cleaner look.
Bathtub Upgrade Options for Your Bathroom
The right bathtub upgrade depends on your floor space, how often you take baths, and whether the tub also serves as your shower. These are the options most homeowners compare.
Freestanding Tub Installation
A freestanding tub sits on its own on the bathroom floor, with open space around it. It often becomes the focal point of the room and gives the bathroom a spa-like feel.
It needs more floor area than a built-in tub, and the drain and faucet have to be planned around where the tub will stand. Faucets can be mounted on the wall, on the tub, or on the floor beside it.
Soaker and Alcove Tubs
An alcove tub sits between three walls. It uses space efficiently and works well with a shower above it, which makes it a common choice for standard-size bathrooms.
A soaker tub is deeper than a standard tub, so you can sit with water up to your shoulders. Soakers come in both alcove and freestanding versions.
Material matters as much as shape. Acrylic is light and warm to the touch, porcelain-enamelled steel has a classic finish, and cast iron is heavy and very durable.
Tub and Shower Combo with a Custom Shower Niche
A tub and shower combo gives you both in one footprint, which suits family bathrooms and homes with one full bath. The surround has to be fully waterproofed because it takes direct spray every day.
Canzeno's prefabricated shower niche can be made with the same tile you choose for the surround, so it blends into the wall. It can also be produced in curved and non-rectangular shapes.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Bathtub
Some tub problems are only on the surface. Others mean the tub, or what is under it, is failing. Replacement is usually the better choice when you see:
- Deep cracks or chips that go through the surface
- Rust, especially on steel or cast iron tubs
- Mold or mildew that keeps coming back around the tub
- Leaks, or water stains on the ceiling below the bathroom
- A tub that is hard to step into safely
- Outdated plumbing behind the tub that needs work anyway
Light stains and minor scratches alone do not always mean the tub has to go.
Bathtub Replacement vs Refinishing vs Liner
Refinishing and liners change how a tub looks. Replacement changes the tub itself, along with anything damaged around it.
| Option | What it does | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refinishing | Applies a new coating over the existing tub | A sound tub with surface wear or an outdated colour | Does not fix cracks, leaks, or plumbing |
| Liner | Fits a moulded acrylic shell over the existing tub | A sound built-in tub of a common size | Not for freestanding tubs; poor installs can trap moisture |
| Replacement | Removes the old tub and installs a new one | Cracks, leaks, rust, or a change in size or style | More work; the surround is usually rebuilt |
If your goal is a different tub style, or the problem goes below the surface, replacement is the option that solves it.
Our Bathtub Remodel Process
Every bathtub remodel follows the same order, so you know what is happening in your bathroom at each stage.
- Consultation and measurements. We visit your home, measure the tub opening, and check the condition of the surround and plumbing.
- Tub and finish selection. You choose the tub style, tile, and fixtures, and we confirm everything fits the space.
- Removal. The old tub and surround come out, and the area is protected to limit dust in the rest of your home.
- Plumbing and preparation. Drain and water lines are adjusted if needed, any damaged subfloor is repaired, and the walls are waterproofed.
- Installation and finishing. The new tub is set and tested, then the surround, niche, fixtures, and caulking are completed.
- Final walkthrough. We check the finished work with you and leave the bathroom clean and ready to use.
- Canzeno warranty
- Fully insured
- $2 million liability insurance
It depends on the scope. Swapping a tub in the same opening takes less time than a project that moves the drain or rebuilds the full surround. Tile and waterproofing also need time to set before the tub can be used. We give you a timeline after seeing your bathroom.
It depends on what changes. Work that relocates drains or water lines, alters walls, or adds electrical generally needs a permit, while a like-for-like swap may not. Requirements can change, so confirm with the City of Richmond Hill's building department before work starts.
Refinishing makes sense when the tub is structurally sound and only the surface is worn. Replace it when you see deep cracks, rust, or leaks, or when you want a different size or style. Refinishing does not fix problems with the plumbing or the walls behind the tub.
Yes. A tub replacement can be done on its own, with the surround rebuilt and the vanity, toilet, and floor left in place. If you later want to update the rest of the room, our bathroom renovation service covers the full space.
A finished base in our shop, before delivery
How it works
From measurement to a finished shower
- 1Measure & designWe measure the bathroom, or work from your plans, and mark the centre lines. You choose the drain, where it sits and the tile.
- 2Built in our workshopThe base is sloped, waterproofed in layers and finished in your tile in our shop, then checked before it leaves.
- 3Delivered ready to installIt arrives pre-tiled, with no mortar bed to mix, so there is far less time and mess on site. Our team installs it, or your crew does.
- 4Walls, niche, glassWalls, niche and glass go in around the finished base, and the shower is done.
- Tub to Shower
- 3–4 days
- Tub to Tub
- 3–4 days
- Full Bathroom Renovation
- 7–9 days
Prefabricated tiled shower bases
One shower base, four drains
Every base is built in our shop to your bathroom’s size, drain position and tile, then delivered ready to install. Pick the drain that suits your floor.
Compare the drain models
Canzeno designDiamond Drain Shower BaseCanzeno’s own design, with the tile cut in sharp diagonal lines.View the drain 
Square Drain Shower BaseThe classic point drain, with the floor sloping to it from all four sides.View 
Linear Drain Shower BaseOne slim channel and a single slope, so large tiles stay whole.View 
Vector Drain Shower BaseA triangular Canzeno drain with a bold, architectural outline.View The rest of the systemNiches, Panels, AccessoriesMade to go in with your Canzeno base.The whole shower system Our work
Real bathrooms, before and after
Bathrooms we’ve finished across the GTA. Open any of them to see the room before and after.
Google Reviews
What homeowners say about Canzeno
My family and I were extremely pleased by the work done by Canzeno Bathroom Renovations! The team was very professional and courteous. They were extremely knowledgeable and proficient for our main bathroom renovation. They treated our home with utmost care and kept the areas in our home clean during the renovation work. They always arrived early and stayed until the job was complete to the utmost satisfaction and delight of myself and my family. I would hire Canzeno Bathroom Renovations again in the future and I highly recommend them to anyone who needs expert professional bathroom renovators at a very reasonable price.
Neil DyalGreat job done! Exactly the way we wished for. The design and workmanship is excellent. So hard to find a good contractor. So glad we found you! Highly recommend!
A MThe shower system was probably my favourite part of the whole renovation. I had never seen a shower base prepared like this before. It arrived ready for installation and fit our space perfectly, which made the whole process a lot easier. You can tell Canzeno has put a lot of thought into how the system is made. Really happy with how everything turned out!
parnia RezaeikalantariHonestly, we didn’t expect the renovation to go this smoothly. Masoud was easy to deal with, gave us good ideas, and didn’t try to push us into things we didn’t need. The shower turned out amazing and the whole bathroom feels like a completely different space now. Really happy with the work and would definitely recommend Canzeno.
afsane hosseiniWe recently had our bathroom renovated by Canzeno and had a really good experience overall. Everything went pretty smoothly, and the team was professional and easy to work with. We were especially happy with the custom shower base. It was made for our bathroom and came really well packed, so there were no issues when it arrived. The installation was done neatly, and the team paid attention to the details, especially with the waterproofing and slope. The shower turned out great and we’re really happy with the final result. It feels like good quality work, and we would definitely recommend Canzeno to anyone looking to renovate their bathroom.
M.KWe recently had our bathroom renovated by Canzeno, and we were very impressed with the entire process. What really stood out was their custom tiled shower base. It was built in their workshop specifically for our bathroom and arrived at our home extremely well packed and protected. It honestly felt like receiving a carefully prepared product rather than having everything built from scratch in our bathroom. The installation was very organized, and the team kept the work area clean throughout the renovation. The shower base had the proper slope and everything fit together beautifully with the wall tiles. We love the finished shower and especially appreciate the attention to waterproofing and detail. It looks beautiful now, and we feel confident that it will continue to perform well for many years. We would definitely recommend Canzeno to anyone considering a bathroom renovation.
Babak KhorasaniMore services
Other renovation services
Fast, clean and professionally managed, with your shower base already built before we start. Fully insured, with $2 million liability coverage and the Canzeno warranty.
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- 1We call you back to book a time
- 2In-home visit: we measure and show you the system
- 3You get a clear price, with no obligation
Find us
Based in Richmond Hill, working across the GTA
- Based in
- Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Phone
- (416) 877-6467
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon–Sun 8 am–8 pm
Service area
- Richmond Hill
- Markham
- Vaughan
- Thornhill
- Aurora
- Newmarket
- North York
- Toronto
