How much does it cost to relocate bathroom plumbing in a concrete slab condo in Burnaby?

Relocating bathroom plumbing in a concrete slab condo in Burnaby typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 for the plumbing work alone, with the total renovation cost including finishes often reaching $25,000 to $50,000+ depending on how much you are moving and the complexity of working within the slab. This is one of the most expensive and technically demanding bathroom renovation scenarios in Metro Vancouver.

The reason costs are so high comes down to how concrete slab plumbing works. In slab-on-grade or suspended concrete slab condos — common throughout Burnaby in buildings from the 1970s through 2000s — drain pipes are embedded in or run beneath the concrete floor. Moving a toilet, shower drain, or tub drain to a new location requires cutting into the concrete slab with a concrete saw, excavating the old drain routing, installing new ABS drain piping at the correct slope (minimum 1/4 inch per foot for most fixtures), and then pouring new concrete to fill the trench. Concrete cutting and patching alone runs $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the length of the run and the thickness of the slab.

Supply line relocation (hot and cold water) is comparatively simpler and less expensive. Supply lines typically run through walls or above the slab and can be rerouted with PEX or copper without cutting into concrete. Moving supply lines for a sink or shower costs $500 to $2,000. However, if supply lines are also embedded in the slab — which occurs in some older Burnaby condos — the same cutting and patching process applies.

Strata approval is mandatory before any plumbing relocation in a Burnaby condo, and this is where many homeowners encounter delays. The concrete slab and the drain piping within it are typically classified as common property under the Strata Property Act, even though they serve your individual unit. Your strata corporation must approve any modifications to common property in writing before work begins. Most strata councils require a detailed renovation plan prepared by a licensed plumber, proof of contractor insurance (minimum $2 million liability is standard), WorkSafeBC clearance, and often an engineer's assessment confirming the proposed changes will not affect the building's structural integrity or other units' plumbing.

The strata approval process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks and may involve strata management fees of $50 to $200 for processing the application. Some strata corporations require a damage deposit of $500 to $2,000, refundable upon satisfactory completion and inspection. Work hours are typically restricted to 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays, which extends project timelines compared to house renovations.

Practical cost breakdown for a typical toilet relocation (moving 3 to 5 feet) in a concrete slab Burnaby condo: concrete cutting and removal ($1,500 to $3,000), new drain piping and connections ($1,000 to $2,500), concrete patching and curing ($800 to $2,000), plumbing permit and inspections ($150 to $300), and waterproofing the new floor surface ($500 to $1,500). Total for the toilet relocation alone: $4,000 to $9,000.

Moving a shower drain is similarly priced but may cost more if the new location requires a longer drain run with more concrete cutting. Relocating all three fixtures — toilet, shower, and vanity sink — in a complete layout reconfiguration can reach $10,000 to $15,000 for plumbing alone before any tile, fixtures, or finishing work.

Before committing to a plumbing relocation, consider whether your design goals can be achieved without moving drains. An experienced bathroom designer may find layout solutions that keep major drain locations unchanged while still transforming the look and feel of the space. Keeping the toilet and shower drain in their original positions and focusing your budget on upgraded finishes, a new vanity, custom tile work, and modern fixtures can deliver a stunning renovation at half the cost of a full layout reconfiguration. A building permit from the City of Burnaby ($200 to $500) and a plumbing permit ($100 to $300) are required for any drain relocation, and all work must be done by a licensed plumber with WorkSafeBC coverage.