How Much Does It Cost to Install a Wet Room?

By Geoffrey Sperring

April 19, 2026

Your children always make a big mess in the bathroom when they shower or bathe, and you're tired of mopping up the water. You think it would be better to convert the bathroom into a wet room and wonder how much does a wet room cost to install.

This May Also Interest You: What’s a Wet Room?

What Is a Wet Room — And How Does It Affect the Value of Your Home?

A wet room creates extra space in a bathroom because it removes visual barriers such as the shower tray and sides. This arrangement appeals to families, including those with children and seniors, who appreciate the benefits of easy access. The cost of installing a wet room is higher than refurbishing a bathroom because of the need to fully waterproof the floors and walls. A carefully designed and professionally finished wet room adds character to the home. When the time comes to sell, it is one of the factors that may attract buyers to your home.

Is a Walk-in Shower the Same as a Wet Room?

No, a walk-in shower, while offering easy access and convenience, is not the same as a wet room. The difference is that the entire floor area of the wet room, rather than just the shower area, is waterproofed. A wet room has no screens or barriers, creating a spacious, open-plan space. The whole floor slopes toward one drain that also serves as the shower drain. For convenience, some homeowners build a separate closet for the toilet and add a simple shower screen to prevent water from spraying everywhere.

What Are the Main Components of a Wet Room Bathroom?

When planning a wet room, the first step is to decide on the layout. Unless you're confident in your abilities, engage the services of a bathroom design expert. The right layout is key to the success of the wet room. Specific points to consider are:

Waterproofing. You need to completely waterproof the wall and floor, starting with a bonded membrane over which you use tile adhesive to lay ceramic or porous tiles.
Drain. Choose a drain position near the center of the room, but also one that's suitable for the shower. Slope the floor to the drain.
Shower. An open shower area offers an airy and spacious feeling.
Tub. If this is the only bathroom, or you have children, include a bathtub.
Ventilation. Install efficient ventilation to prevent condensation on the walls and ceiling. Make certain the fan is quiet and that the fan has GFCI protection.
Heating. The open plan design of a wet room means it cools off quickly after you've finished showering. Install underfloor heating under the tiles or a vent fan heater to keep the wet room warm and cozy.
Tiling. Select relatively small tiles with a texture to provide a non-slip surface on the floor. Tile the walls to at least head height and, in the shower area, to the ceiling. Make a feature of the wall by choosing attractive tiles.
Fixtures. Choose quality plumbing fixtures and fittings with a contemporary design that add ambiance and practicality.

How Much Does a Wet Room Cost to Install?

Factors that affect wet room costs include its size, materials, fittings and local labor costs. Here's a breakdown of the average costs of each component in a wet room:

Preparation. You have to remove existing fittings, flooring and prepare the subfloor. Allow between $1,000 and $6,000 (CAD 1,385 to CAD 8,308) for site preparation, dependent on the size and extent of the work.
Drainage and floor rework. The cost to build a sloped floor and install drainage varies from $500 to $5,000 (CAD 692 to CAD 6,923).
Waterproofing. Once the new floor is in, the contractor must completely waterproof the floor and walls using high-quality materials. Allow between $1,000 and $4,000 (CAD 1,385 to CAD 5,538) for waterproofing.
Shower fixtures and glass. Shower fixtures cost between $300 and $2,500 (CAD 415 to CAD 3,462), subject to the quality of fittings and whether you install shower glass.
Bathtub. A conventional bathtub costs between $1,500 and $8,000 (CAD 2,077 to CAD 11,077), complete with installation.
Toilet cubicle. A new toilet costs between $350 and $800 (CAD 485 to CAD 1,108) to buy and install.
Plumbing. Realignment and installation of plumbing in the wet room or bathroom costs between $1,500 and $3,000 (CAD 2,077 to CAD 4,154), depending on the extent of the plumbing changes to accommodate the wet room.
Ventilation. Expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 (CAD 554 to CAD 1,385) for new ventilation fans and ductwork.
Tiling. The cost to tile the wet room is related to the quality of tiles chosen and varies from a low of $1,800 to a high of $9,000 (CAD 2,492 to CAD 12,461).
Heating. Radiant underfloor heating helps keep the wet room comfortable. Usually, you would install underfloor heating over approximately 60% of the open floor area. The installed cost of underfloor heating is from $15 to $40 (CAD 21 to CAD 55) per square foot, provided you fit the heating pads at the same time as the contractor installs the wet room flooring.
Labor cost. Skilled labor costs are from $50 to $125 (CAD 69 to CAD 173) per hour. Depending on the size of the wet room, expect to pay between $2,000 and $10,000 (CAD 2,769 to CAD 13,846) for labor.
Permits. You must conform to local building regulations, and permitting can cost between $200 and $2,000 (CAD 277 to CAD 2,769), depending on the jurisdiction where you live.

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How Much Does It Cost to Convert an Existing Bathroom Into a Wet Room?

Factors that influence how much does a wet room cost to install depend on its size and the quality of the fixtures, as well as the need for structural changes and waterproofing. On average, the cost of a wet room is as follows:

Budget wet room. The cost of converting a small bathroom into a wet room using standard fixtures and minimal plumbing changes varies from $3,500 to $7,500 (CAD 4,846 to CAD 10,385).
Mid-range wet room. If you're looking for something better, the cost to convert a medium-sized bathroom, including full membrane waterproofing, upgraded fixtures and underfloor heating, is from $7,500 to $15,000 (CAD 10,385 to CAD 20,769).
High-end wet room. A fully customized wet room with structural changes, premium materials, designer-style fixtures, a new toilet and tub, plus top-of-the-range heating and ventilation can vary from $15,000 to more than $40,000 (CAD 20,769 to CAD 55,384).

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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