Total Reno & Design

Pretty-only bathrooms fail in Toronto: | Your waterproofing, subfloor tolerances, and fan size decide it—not the tile.

Before we talk finishes, we start with a pre-remodel checklist that prevents the usual “looks great… until it doesn’t” cycle:

1) Waterproofing + how it ties into the wall/floor transitions (not just the shower pan)
2) Subfloor/tiling tolerances—movement and unevenness show up later as cracked grout and loose tiles
3) Ventilation sizing—an exhaust fan that’s too small means moisture stays in the room
4) Layout choices that reduce maintenance (access to valves, cleaner wipe-down paths, fewer awkward corners)

If you’re planning an upgrade, we’ll map the whole bathroom system so the design looks sharp for years—not months.

Contact us for your next project.

That first “we should renovate” feeling hits hard when the bathroom starts falling apart.

We’ve seen it turn into stress—until we handle the plan like a system: layout tweaks, proper waterproofing, correct venting, and a full new shower build-up where it matters.

One client put it best after we worked through a delay: they always knew what was happening, what was next, and why. No guessing—just clear updates and steady progress.

Want to see how we’d tackle your space?
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That shared-wall noise is always the first complaint.

We design Toronto garden suites/ADUs so they feel truly separate—calm for tenants, privacy for homeowners. It starts with soundproofing that’s built into the details (not an afterthought): insulation strategies in the shared wall, resilient channels with layered drywall for impact + airborne noise, and a bathroom exhaust fan vented the right way so moisture doesn’t travel into “your” space.

Then we back it up with layout choices that cut down on everyday friction—where the doors land, how plumbing runs, and what’s placed where sound naturally travels.

Want a unit that holds up for years (and doesn’t turn into a neighbour-texting situation)?

Contact us for your next project.

A testimonial that proves the process—not just the finished room.

We still remember the moment our client’s phone came out during the final walkthrough. “It looks even better in person,” they said—because the details were tight, the trades were lined up, and the cleanup was actually finished.

Frame by frame, here’s what they described:
Trades scheduled to reduce disruption.
A close-up detail they couldn’t stop pointing at.
Final walkthrough clarity—no surprises.

Want to hear what our clients notice (and what they didn’t have to worry about)?
Call us at (416) 273-9700 and Get Your Free Quote.

That “pretty” new LVP or tile job starts opening at the edges before you notice.

In Toronto’s wet-season freeze-thaw, the cost often shows up later: gapping at wet-area transitions, bond failure under the finish, and mould-prone seams when waterproofing and adhesive details weren’t spec’d for movement.

We keep seeing the same miss, waterproofing/underlay + adhesive + transition sealing treated like a standard detail instead of an engineered system for how your subfloor behaves.

Ask us what modern installation systems should be included in your scope, movement-friendly underlayments, correct subfloor primers, and manufacturer-approved sealant/wet-area detailing, so the finish holds up when the seasons shift.

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“Why does it sound hollow?” That’s the question we prevent before tile ever touches the floor.

How we test your bathroom before we lay tile:
We run a pre-install tolerance + waterproofing checklist.
Then we verify the floor/substrate is flat enough for your chosen tile format and grout line plan.
Because Toronto humidity doesn’t forgive movement, and a finish that isn’t supported shows up later as looseness, cracking, or that annoying “click” when you walk on it.

If you want a bathroom that feels solid from day one, start with the prep, where the quality is decided.

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“Have you ever been told your renovation ‘won’t be delayed’, then you’re stuck waiting for answers?”

We hear that frustration a lot. Not because plans are impossible, but because “we’ll just call when something changes” puts the stress on you. We don’t do that.

With Total Reno & Design, you get proactive check-ins, documented decisions, and a clear next-step plan, so you’re not guessing what changed, why it changed, and what happens next.

Get Your Free Quote, call (416) 273-9700 or send us a message to start your renovation.

That “prettiest” backsplash can still leave you fighting for counter space.

In this Toronto kitchen, we tightened the parts you don’t see, then the whole room just feels easier.

1) Utensil drawer height: the stuff you grab daily sits at the rail, not at the back.
2) Soft-close drawer depth: standard “kitchen” drawers were too shallow for real cookware, so we corrected the storage zoning.
3) Under-cabinet lighting: no more dark corners under uppers; everything reads clean, even after dinner prep.

When a kitchen is planned around daily use, you feel it every single time you open a drawer.

Contact us for your next project or get your free quote at (416) 273-9700.

That bathroom seam? It used to look like clutter hiding in plain sight—until we made it one continuous line.

In tight Toronto bathrooms/laundry rooms, we build a “built-in” feel with a flush-to-wall vanity surround, a vertical plumbing chase, and recessed medicine-cabinet lighting. Then we run one continuous slab/backsplash so the room’s seams visually disappear.

Before you plan materials, use this quick checklist:
Measure door clearance (openings and swing paths come first).
Pick moisture-rated surfaces (bathrooms/laundry don’t forgive).
Keep your design line straight—crooked lines make small spaces feel tighter.

Want help planning the layout + finishes for your space? Get Your Free Quote.