Start with where your parent actually loses balance: stepping into the tub, sitting and rising at the toilet, or turning under the shower. That tells the installer what lengths and placements to plan for. A good installer will watch the person move before mounting anything, not guess from a catalogue.
Ottawa's housing stock shapes the job more than people expect. In older homes across Sandy Hill, Hintonburg, and the Glebe, walls can be plaster and lath, and studs don't always land where you want a bar. That's fine, but it means the installer needs to find solid backing or add blocking behind the tile. A bar screwed into tile alone will pull out, sometimes at the worst moment. Look for grab bars rated to hold real weight, with a textured grip that stays secure when hands are wet or cold from a winter walk. In condos and newer builds around the ByWard Market or Barrhaven, framing is more predictable, but you may need building approval before drilling into shared walls, so ask early.
Prioritize an installer who does accessibility work regularly, carries liability insurance, and stands behind the mount with a warranty. Ask how fast they respond if a bar ever loosens. On the DIY question, we'll take a side: for anything load-bearing near a tub or toilet, hire a professional. A confident handyperson can do it, but grab bars only matter if they hold when someone falls toward them, and pros know how to hit or create solid backing. The trade-off is honest: you'll pay more than a hardware-store bracket and an afternoon of your own time. In our experience that cost buys a mount you can trust, which is the whole point.
