Should the toilet, shower, or sink be moved during a renovation?

Rethink the plan without unnecessarily complicating the work

Moving bathroom fixtures can improve circulation, enlarge the shower, or free up storage space. However, the sink, shower, and toilet do not all present the same technical challenges. Before changing their location, it is essential to check the existing plumbing, the floor structure, and the actual benefits of the new arrangement.

In some projects, keeping the existing plumbing allows for a perfectly functional bathroom while minimizing the scope of the work. In others, moving a fixture completely transforms the room. The best decision, therefore, depends less on current trends than on the specific characteristics of the building.

Planning Plumbing Layouts in a Bathroom

Start with the problem to be solved

A new location must provide a tangible advantage.

The first question is not "can we move this device?", but rather "why do we want to move it?".

A modification may be justified for:

• clear the passage at the entrance;

• prevent a door from hitting the toilet or vanity;

• create a more spacious shower;

• add storage;

• improve access to toilets;

• to facilitate the movement of a person with reduced mobility;

• better separate wet and dry areas;

• to make the room more pleasant to use for two people.

Conversely, moving a device solely to achieve a more symmetrical layout can lead to significant work without actually improving comfort. A successful plan isn't judged on paper alone: it must reflect the daily movements of the occupants.

Move the sink

The device that is generally the easiest to reposition

Of the three fixtures, the washbasin is often the easiest to move. Its supply pipes are relatively small, and its drain can sometimes be extended into a partition wall or under the floor.

Moving along the same wall is generally simpler than moving to the other end of the room. However, sufficient slope must be maintained for drainage, and the connection must be coordinated with the plumbing ventilation system.

The new location must also take into account:

• of the depths of vanity;

• of the opening of drawers and doors;

• from the position of the mirror;

• lighting;

• electrical outlets;

• plumbing fixtures;

• of the available space in front of the piece of furniture.

A wall-mounted vanity can visually lighten a small bathroom, but it requires adequate reinforcement in the wall. It's therefore best to determine its position and dimensions before closing up the walls.

Moving a sink becomes more complex when it involves passing through a structure, going around a column, or opening the ceiling of the room below. The distance traveled alone is not enough to predict the difficulty: the available space for the plumbing is often greater.

Move the shower

The drain, the slope and the floor determine the feasibility

Moving a shower isn't just about changing the water supply. It also requires repositioning or adapting the drain, creating the correct slopes, and rebuilding a waterproof enclosure around the new wet area.

The floor configuration then plays a crucial role. In a wooden structure, the direction and position of the joists can limit the drain's path. A joist cannot be cut or weakened simply because it lies in the desired location.

On a concrete slab, the relocation may require a localized opening to access the pipes. In a condominium, this work may also affect common areas or require coordination with the condominium association.

The design must, in particular, verify:

• the position of the existing drain;

• the available slope towards the drain pipe;

• the thickness of the floor;

• the height of the threshold;

• the possibility of embedding the drain;

• the location of the taps;

• the dimensions of the panel or glass door;

• the direction of the splashes.

When replacing a bathtub, some shower bases and drainage systems allow for an offset drain. This solution can reduce plumbing modifications, but it must be evaluated based on the room dimensions and the exact location of the drain connection.

A completely threshold-free shower cannot be guaranteed before the floor has been opened or inspected. Its realization depends on the available height for the drain, the slope, and the waterproofing system.

Move the toilet

An intervention that is often more restrictive

The toilet is generally the most difficult appliance to move. Its drainage uses a larger pipe which must maintain a proper slope all the way to the main drain or stack.

A move of a few inches or a slight rotation can sometimes be accomplished without major alterations. However, relocating the toilet to the opposite wall may require opening up the floor, modifying the drain, and, in some cases, working on the ceiling below.

Several elements need to be checked:

• the position of the existing flange;

• the direction of the joists;

• the proximity of the plumbing column;

• ventilation of the exhaust;

• the clearance around the toilet;

• access to connections;

• the presence of a concrete slab;

• restrictions specific to a condominium.

In a condominium, the drain stack is generally not something that can be freely moved. Therefore, the new location must remain compatible with the existing plumbing system and building regulations.

Plumbing installations must also comply with the applicable requirements of the Plumbing chapter of the Quebec Construction Code . A proposed layout must always be technically validated before work begins.

Compare the three movements

Each device has a different degree of flexibility

The following table summarizes the main differences. These are general guidelines: the actual conditions of the building can completely alter the level of difficulty.

Device	Usual flexibility	Main constraint	Possible impact on the work
Sink	Quite high	Drain slope and space in the wall	Opening of partitions and electrical coordination
Shower	Variable	Drainage, slope, waterproofing and floor structure	Reconstruction of the wetland and adjustment of the floor
Toilet	Weaker	Drainage duct, ventilation and structure	Large opening in the floor or lower ceiling

The sink may be the best candidate for relocation when a moderate change is sufficient to improve circulation. The shower is worth moving when it allows for a significant transformation of the space. The toilet should generally remain near its current drain, unless relocating it provides a major functional advantage.

Wooden floor or concrete slab

The structure directly influences the possibilities

In many Montreal residential buildings, pipes run between wooden joists. Their direction can make movement easier along one axis and much more complicated along another.

Before approving the new plan, it is necessary to know:

• the direction of the joists;

• their height;

• the openings already present;

• the position of electrical or mechanical conduits;

• possible access via the lower ceiling.

In a concrete building, the work is different. Opening a slab can produce noise, dust, and vibrations. In a condominium, it may require authorization and special precautions.

That is why two bathrooms of the same dimensions can present very different levels of difficulty.

Keep existing locations

A successful renovation does not always require moving the plumbing.

Keeping the toilet, sink, and shower drain in their current positions doesn't mean recreating the old bathroom. It's often possible to significantly improve the room with more targeted changes.

Specifically, we can:

• install a shallower vanity;

• replace a poorly placed swing door;

• choose a more compact toilet;

• replace a bathtub with a shower;

• use a fixed glass panel;

• incorporate a wall niche;

• add vertical storage;

• review the lighting and colours;

• to standardize the ceramic tiles to visually enlarge the space.

These interventions can transform the perception and use of the bathroom while retaining a significant portion of the existing plumbing.

Think about the future interview

A well-designed installation must remain accessible

An attractive plan can become problematic if a fitting, valve or siphon becomes inaccessible after the ceramic tiles and furniture have been installed.

The design must provide the necessary access for inspection, maintenance, and any necessary repairs. This includes, in particular, valves, tap connections, the sink drain, and certain components of the shower system.

This consideration is particularly important when the plumbing is integrated into an exterior wall, a custom-made piece of furniture, or a very thin partition.

Plan the plumbing before the finishing touches

The technical plan must precede the final choice of materials

The ceramics, faucets, and furniture are often the most attractive elements of the project. However, their final dimensions depend on the plumbing plan.

It is best to confirm first:

1. the position of each device;

2. the evacuation route;

3. the location of the power supplies;

4. the floor structure;

5. the dimensions of the shower;

6. the thickness of the finished walls;

7. electrical and lighting needs.

The selection of finishes can then be carried out using reliable dimensions. This sequence reduces improvised adjustments and incompatibilities between plumbing, vanity, mirror, and glass walls.

This increases the scale of the work

The route of the pipes matters more than the distance

Two relocations of the same length can result in very different works. The budget depends primarily on what needs to be crossed to connect the new location to the existing network.

The main factors are:

• the opening of the floor;

• the modification of a slab;

• access to the lower ceiling;

• bypassing the joists;

• the resumption of ventilation;

• the reconstruction of the waterproofing;

• surface repair;

• custom glass manufacturing;

• condominium permits;

• access restrictions and working hours in a condo.

An on-site inspection is therefore much more reliable than an estimate based solely on a sketch or the number of feet separating two locations.

Prepare the project evaluation

Having some information can help you make better decisions.

Before requesting an estimate, gather the following information if possible:

• photos of the current bathroom;

• the approximate dimensions of the room;

• a plan of the accommodation;

• the location of the current devices;

• your functional priorities;

• condo renovation rules;

• information on access to the lower ceiling;

• the items you absolutely want to keep.

It is also helpful to distinguish between needs and preferences. Enlarging a shower to make it easier to use may be a priority; perfectly centering a vanity on a wall may be secondary.

Have the layout assessed by BonBain

Choosing the moves that actually improve the bathroom

The best plan is not necessarily the one that moves all the appliances. It is the one that improves circulation, comfort and use of space while respecting the building's structure and plumbing.

BonBain can examine the existing configuration, compare different scenarios, and determine which relocations are technically sound. This analysis allows them to focus their work where it delivers real value.

Submit your project by filling out BonBain's free estimate request .