Renovating a bathroom in a Montreal condo: checks before starting the work

Renovating a bathroom in a condo requires special preparation. Even if the work mainly takes place in a private area, it may affect the building's plumbing, require shutting off the water supply, or necessitate workers and materials passing through common areas.

The condominium regulations, permitted hours, corridor protection, elevator use and debris removal must therefore be taken into account before the start of construction.

Good preparation helps avoid delays, conflicts with the union, and unforeseen changes once the bathroom has been demolished.

Preparing for a Bathroom Renovation in a Condo

Consult the condominium declaration

A private bathroom belongs to a shared building.

Owning your condo does not necessarily mean you can carry out all work without informing the condo association.

The declaration of co-ownership and the building regulations may govern:

• plumbing modifications;

• work affecting the walls or the floor;

• interventions on ventilation;

• construction site hours;

• the movement of entrepreneurs;

• the protection of common areas;

• the removal of materials;

• the required insurances;

• the authorization procedures.

The owner must be able to use their private portion while respecting the rights of other co-owners and the building's intended purpose. This principle is notably established by article 1063 of the Civil Code of Québec .

The regulations should ideally be sent to the contractor before the final bid is prepared. Certain constraints may influence the organization, duration, or cost of the project.

Identify the private and common areas

A pipe located in the condo can serve several units.

The ceramic tiles, vanity unit, and sanitary fixtures are generally located in the private area. The situation may differ for certain pipes, plumbing risers, ventilation ducts, or structural elements.

A pipe that is visible or accessible from the bathroom may be considered common property if it serves multiple units. Therefore, the landlord should not assume they can move or modify it freely.

Before changing the room configuration, it is necessary to determine:

• where the supply and drainage pipes pass;

• which elements serve only the condo;

• if the walls contain common pipes;

• if the floor or slab contains collective networks;

• whether the fan is connected to an individual or shared outlet.

The condominium declaration usually provides a clearer understanding of this allocation. In case of uncertainty, the condominium association or the building manager should be consulted.

Obtain the necessary permissions

A verbal agreement does not always offer sufficient protection.

Some unions require a simple declaration of works. Others demand a formal application accompanied by documents.

The file may include:

• a description of the project;

• the plans or sketches;

• the entrepreneur's contact details;

• his RBQ license number;

• proof of liability insurance;

• the planned dates;

• plumbing work;

• the procedures for closing the water supply;

• a commitment regarding the protection of common areas.

When condominium association approval is required, it is best to obtain it in writing. Clear approval avoids misunderstandings and allows the contractor to prepare the work site according to the building's rules.

It is also necessary to check the processing time for the application. In a large condominium, approval may have to wait for a board meeting.

Check if a municipal permit is required

The answer depends on the exact nature of the work

A purely aesthetic renovation does not follow the same rules as a redesign that modifies the walls, structure or layout of the rooms.

The City of Montreal specifies that certain minor work, such as replacing a bathtub, countertop, or flooring, can be done without a permit. However, work affecting the structure, walls, foundations, or division of the dwelling may require authorization.

The rules can also vary depending on the borough and the scope of the project. It is therefore essential to verify the applicable requirements before beginning. The City provides a webpage dedicated to the procedures for renovating the interior of a building in Montreal .

The absence of a municipal permit does not exempt one from complying with provincial standards or condominium regulations.

Plan water shutdowns

A plumbing intervention can affect several co-owners.

In some buildings, the bathroom does not have valves to completely isolate its plumbing. Shutting off the water supply may then be necessary.

This operation must be coordinated with the union or the manager in order to:

• choose an allowed time slot;

• notify the co-owners concerned;

• allow access to shared facilities;

• identify the person authorized to close and reopen the food supply;

• limit the duration of the interruption;

• Check the installation before refilling with water.

An unexpected closure can halt construction and inconvenience several homes.

It is therefore important to identify the valves and pipes during the technical visit.

Renovation can also be an opportunity to install or replace accessible shut-off valves to simplify future interventions, where the configuration allows.

Assess the limitations imposed by the plumbing

Moving a device is not always the best solution

In a condo, plumbing columns and the slab sometimes limit the possibilities for remodeling.

Moving a toilet requires a suitable drainage system. Changing the shower's location necessitates maintaining sufficient slope towards the drain. A pipe embedded in a concrete slab can be much less accessible than one located in a wooden floor.

Before modifying the plan, the following must be examined:

• the position of the drains;

• the diameter of the pipes;

• the presence of a concrete slab;

• the common columns;

• the available height in the floor;

• the ventilation passage;

• the necessary access for maintenance.

Keeping some devices close to their current location can reduce interventions on the networks while allowing for a significant transformation of the room.

Organize access to the construction site

The constraints often begin at the building's entrance.

The contractor must be able to transport the materials, tools, and new equipment to the condo. They must also remove the old bathtub, sanitary fixtures, and debris.

Therefore, we must anticipate:

• parking the vehicle;

• access to the service entrance;

• delivery times;

• elevator reservation;

• its dimensions and capacity;

• cabin protection;

• the width of the corridors and doors;

• the rules concerning stairs;

• the temporary location of the materials.

A bathtub, a glass shower screen, or a vanity unit can be difficult to transport in an older building with a small elevator. Access dimensions should be checked before ordering.

When the building does not have an elevator, the number of floors also influences the handling and removal of materials.

Protecting common areas

The construction work must leave the corridors and the elevator intact.

The union can request special protection for the floors, walls, doors and elevator.

The contractor must provide a protected walkway between the building entrance and the condo. The materials used must remain stable, not create a risk of falling, and be maintained during the work.

An inspection or photographs can be taken before work begins to document the condition of the common areas. This precaution helps to distinguish pre-existing damage from any damage that might occur during the work.

Protective coverings must be removed at the end of the construction project and common areas cleaned regularly, rather than only upon final delivery.

Plan for the removal of debris

Renovation waste cannot always use the building's facilities.

Demolishing a bathroom produces heavy materials: ceramics, gypsum, sanitary fixtures, glass and furniture.

The condominium's waste containers and storage areas are generally not intended for this type of debris. Its removal must be arranged by the contractor according to the building's regulations.

We need to determine:

• where the debris can be temporarily grouped together;

• through which access point will they exit?

• at what times;

• if a container can be installed;

• if a parking permit is required;

• How often will the waste be removed?

A gradual evacuation helps to keep the site cleaner and to limit clutter in the condo.

Limit noise and dust

The work is taking place in the immediate vicinity of the neighbors.

Demolition, ceramic cutting, and drilling produce noise and dust. In an apartment building, these nuisances are easily transmitted to neighboring units.

The condominium bylaws may impose stricter hours than municipal regulations. Some buildings prohibit work in the evening, on weekends, or during certain periods.

The organization of the construction site must include:

• isolation of the work area;

• the protection of the conduits;

• the use of suction equipment;

• regular cleaning;

• maintaining safe traffic flow;

• strict adherence to permitted hours.

Informing immediate neighbors a few days before the start of construction is also a valuable sign of consideration.

Check the contractor's insurance and license

The documents may be requested by the union.

The condominium association may require proof of liability insurance before allowing the contractor access.

It is also important to verify that the company has a valid RBQ license corresponding to the work performed. The license number can be verified in the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) registry.

The owner should provide the contractor with the condominium's insurance requirements before the final signing. This will allow them to verify that the coverage amounts and required documents are available.

The owner may also need to inform their own insurer of the nature and duration of the work.

Take into account the only available bathroom

Good planning reduces periods of unavailability.

Many condos have only one bathroom. Toilet replacements, plumbing work, and drying times can render the room unusable for certain periods.

It is helpful to ask:

• at what point will the toilet be removed;

• when it can be reinstalled;

• how long the water will be shut off;

• when the shower can be used;

• if certain steps can be grouped together;

• what temporary solutions should be considered.

The timeline must remain realistic. Membranes, mortars, grouts, and joints require drying times that should not be shortened to get the bathroom back into service more quickly.

Prepare for the appraisal visit

The condominium documents complete the room examination

Before the contractor's visit, it is helpful to gather:

• the declaration of co-ownership;

• the building regulations;

• the work authorization procedure;

• the manager's contact details;

• the permitted hours;

• insurance requirements;

• the rules for using the elevator;

• the information available on the valves and plumbing;

• the condo plans, if they exist;

• some examples of the desired result.

These elements make it possible to integrate the constraints of the building from the design stage and to avoid a submission that would have to be revised after the intervention of the syndicate.

Have your project evaluated by BonBain

A renovation tailored to your condo and its building

Renovating a bathroom in a condo requires reconciling the owner's needs, the room's technical possibilities, and the condominium rules.

BonBain Construction assists owners in Montreal and the South Shore in the design and construction of bathrooms adapted to the constraints of multi-unit buildings.

Request your free estimate to have your bathroom examined, to clarify the condo constraints and to prepare your project.