Keep or move fixtures?
Keeping the toilet, tub and sink where they are saves money. Moving a toilet means moving a large drain.
Permits
Changing drains or adding fixtures usually needs a City of Toronto plumbing permit.
Order matters: Plumbing rough-in comes before drywall. Inspection comes before closing walls.
Decisions to make early
- Tub or walk-in shower
- Pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve
- Vanity height and sink type
- Toilet rough-in distance
- Access panel for the shower valve
In older Scarborough homes
- Check the stack and drain material.
- Replace old supply lines while walls are open.
- Confirm venting meets code.
Budget and schedule notes
Plumbing usually takes a small slice of a bathroom budget, yet it decides how smoothly the rest goes. Leave room for surprises behind old walls, such as a cracked cast iron fitting or a galvanized line that crumbles when touched. Book the plumber early, because the rough-in has to be finished and inspected before the tile setter can start, and a missed inspection can stall the whole job for days.