Why did the client reach out to iBathrooms? How did they find you?
The reality is very simple. I, as Yuri York, have been doing bathroom renovations with iBathrooms since its inception about four years ago, and before that another 15 years with a different company. With that previous company, one of my customers was Michelle, and we completed two bathrooms in her former home.
Time passed, Michelle moved into a new home, and when it came time to renovate her bathrooms, she thought of me. She actually had a hard time finding me, but eventually she did, got my phone number, called me, and I directed her to our website. That’s how we reconnected. She knew me from what I jokingly call my previous life.
Why did she want to work with iBathrooms? In her own words, it came down to trust. She knew me from before. She knew I’m a man of my word. She knew I wasn’t going to play typical renovation tricks, like giving a low quote and then increasing it once walls are opened. That happens all the time in this industry.
She knew we wouldn’t give bad advice. She knew we wouldn’t take her money and disappear. She trusted her finances, her home, and her life to us. That trust is the reason she chose iBathrooms. Trust is a big thing.
What challenges were they facing with their old bathroom?
The bathroom was outdated. It was original to the house, built by the builder to the standards and style of that time. There were also plumbing issues. The tub had leaked a few times, causing damage to the ceiling in the room below. We repaired that damage at no cost to the customer.
She was an excellent client, and it felt like the right thing to do. Beyond the technical issues, the bathroom simply wasn’t beautiful. It was plain, dated, and didn’t feel good to use. Aesthetics mattered to her.
When was the bathroom last renovated, and how old was the plumbing?
The bathroom was original to the house, and so was the plumbing. The home dates back to the mid to late 1990s, making the bathroom and plumbing approximately 25 years old.
While it held up reasonably well, the history of leaks caused anxiety. The customer had plumbers come in previously, but the fear of future leaks meant she avoided using the tub as much as she wanted to.
What made them finally decide it was time to renovate?
It was a combination of things. A series of small annoyances that slowly taxed their emotional wellbeing. When I say “they,” I’m referring to the customer and her son. Aesthetics played a role, but so did the constant concern about water damage. There was always that background worry.
She was initially hesitant about cost, process, and final results. We addressed that by bringing our showroom to her, showing tile options, previous projects, and directing her to the gallery on iBathrooms.ca for inspiration. At some point, it clicked. You live now. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Costs keep rising. Investing in the bathroom meant improving daily life and increasing the value of her home. That’s what made the timing right.
Did the clients have a wishlist or specific goals?
Yes, very specific goals.
First and foremost was safety. No leaks. The bathroom had to function daily without causing damage to the rest of the house. That was non-negotiable.
Second was clean design and easy maintenance.
Third, this was her son’s bathroom, and she wanted it to feel masculine. Something solid, calm, and strong. If you look at the photos, I think we delivered that well.
Budget was also an important factor. The budget was not unlimited. This project is a perfect example of what a three-piece bathroom looks like in 2025 within our guided pricing. The total came in just under $20,000 Canadian, $19,999, including all finished materials. Staying within budget was extremely important to her, and that again comes back to trust.
Another major wishlist item was storage. She did not want clutter. Most bathrooms end up with crowded countertops because the vanity doesn’t offer enough storage.
We addressed that by installing a vanity from our standard catalog with more drawers for better organization. We also reduced the size of the existing vanity and added a linen tower. That additional storage allowed the countertop to remain clean, and it still is today.
How did iBathrooms bring their vision to life?
Very simply, we don’t take on more work than we can handle. We limit the number of projects so we can give each client proper time and attention. We don’t rush, and we don’t drag things out either.
Budget control was achieved through realistic decision-making. The customer trusted us and selected items from our standard catalog instead of custom or special-order products. That kept costs predictable and timelines under control.
Design-wise, the masculine feel was achieved through gray tones, strong contrast, and minimalism. Black fixtures, white ceiling and countertop, and gray throughout. Three main colors. Clean and intentional.
Low maintenance was achieved through larger format tiles, non-porous surfaces, smaller grout lines through skilled installation, and pre-sealed, pre-mixed grout. These are the kinds of decisions that make daily life easier but often go unnoticed.
Were there any challenges during the project?
Honestly, very few. The biggest challenge was selecting and coordinating materials. Once construction began, the project went smoothly.
One technical detail involved the linen tower placement. To avoid blocking natural light from the window, the tower had to be placed on the door side. To allow the door to open without hitting the casing, we needed additional clearance.
Our supplier doesn’t provide standard fillers, so we custom-matched paint, created a custom filler, and installed it between the wall and the linen tower. That extra inch and a half made the entire setup functional, clean, and visually balanced.
What materials were used?
Large format tiles, 12×24 and larger, are standard today and will remain so into 2026. Pre-sealed, pre-mixed grout is also standard for durability and ease of maintenance.
The vanity is MDF-based and painted, not solid wood. Bathrooms are high-moisture environments, and wood expands and contracts over time. We’ve installed these Bath Depot vanities for years without issues and highly recommend them.
Closing Notes
It’s the same bathroom, but it’s a different nervous system. The old bathroom created visual tension, and visual tension affects wellbeing. We already carry enough stress from work, family, and the world around us. Our home, and especially our bathroom, should be a sanctuary.
By creating a clean, easy-to-maintain, and beautiful space, we created a low-tension environment where the customer can enter multiple times a day and feel calm. You can’t put a price on that. This is where wellbeing starts. I close this project with sincere thanks to everyone involved: Oleg, Ryan from Maya Plumbing, our suppliers including Bath Depot and Euro Tile & Stone, and most importantly our customer Michelle, for her trust, positivity, and openness to our vision. I hope she enjoys this bathroom for many years to come.
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