Start with where the bars need to go and who's using them. By the toilet, at the tub edge, and inside the shower are the usual spots. The user's height, grip strength, and how they transfer all shape the length and placement. A bar that's a few inches off can be the difference between real support and something that just hangs on the wall.
Winnipeg's housing stock is the reason we push for a proper installer over a DIY job here. Many older homes in Wolseley, Osborne Village, and the North End have plaster-and-lath walls or unpredictable stud spacing, and a lot of bathrooms have been renovated more than once, so what's behind the tile is anyone's guess. Bars must anchor into studs or solid blocking, never tile alone. Tile grout looks strong and isn't. In condos near The Forks or in newer suburban builds like Sage Creek, drywall over metal studs may need special anchors or added backing. Ask how the installer plans to find and hit solid framing, and whether they'll add blocking if the studs don't line up.
Look for someone with real accessibility experience, not just a general handyman. Ask about insurance, whether they follow a weight rating (a good bar handles a solid load, in the 250 to 500 lb range), and what warranty covers the bar and the install. Textured grip matters in a climate where wet boots and winter humidity make floors slick.
Our honest recommendation: hire a professional for grab bar installation in Winnipeg rather than mounting them yourself. The stakes are a fall, and the walls here are too inconsistent to guess. The trade-off is you'll pay more than a hardware-store bar and a drill would cost, but you're paying for an anchor that will actually hold when someone puts their full weight on it in a hurry.
