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Shower remodel cost breakdown by shower type
When you set out to remodel your shower, you’ll also need to choose between one of the following shower types, which can greatly impact your spend:
Prefabricated shower (average cost: $700-$3,000)
A prefabricated shower is one that has been manufactured in bulk at a factory and is usually made of three materials: plastic, Gelcoat fiberglass, and acrylic. Prefab units come in standard widths and are easier to install than custom units as your contractor needs only to assemble it, rather than tile it from scratch.
Prefab units are also durable with watertight construction, and ideal for DIYers. However, prefab showers are more limited than tile when it comes to color and design, and you’ll want to make sure the unit will fit through your door before you order it.
Classic tub-shower combination ($6,500 to $16,000)
You see the tub-shower combo in a lot of family homes — it’s great for giving the kids a bath, but also works seamlessly for daily showers. The average cost to install a new tub is $5,712. If you’re retiling the surrounding shower, expect to pay an additional $280–$875 on average.
Custom walk-in shower (average cost: $6,000-$12,000)
Walk-in showers built custom for a space will be pricier than a prefab shower. You can spend more or less on this project depending on the materials you select and how much customization you want. Angi provides the following cost breakdown for different kinds of custom walk-in shower renovations:
Acrylic walk-in: $500-$2,000
Fiberglass walk-in: $400-$2,000
Tile walk-in: $2–$17 per sq. ft.
Marble walk-in: $10–$35 per sq. ft.
Walk-in with cultured granite or other natural stones: $40–$65 per sq. ft.
If you need to remove an old tub to make way for the walk-in (common for custom tub-to-shower conversions), you’ll pay between $50 and $100 for removal and $250 on average for cleanup.
Cost breakdown of materials
Here’s how much homeowners can expect to spend on individual materials for their shower remodel:
Shower doors
Unless you choose a premade kit, you’ll have to select a shower door separately. Once again, price ranges are largely based on material and custom versus premade alternatives:
- Framed doors cost around $300–$1,200 on average. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to come by, but the framing around the glass can take away the overall design of the shower.
- Sliding doors cost between $700 and $2,000, and they’re easy to find and install. However, the sliding mechanism means one part of the shower is always blocked, even with the door open. In a small shower, this might make people feel claustrophobic.
- French doors are more expensive ($900 to $1,200 on average) since they’re custom made. However, the door opens fully, making a small shower feel more expansive.
- Frameless doors are most popular right now, says Mary Stewart, a Houston, Texas area real estate agent with 46 years of experience in the business. She explains: “It used to be that you couldn’t get one for less than $2,500, since they’re often made to order. Prices have gone down a bit. Lowe’s and Home Depot sell pretty nice looking ones for about $1,000.”
Tiling
The average cost to retile a shower is $25 per square foot, and the homeowner can expect to pay $2,700 for a new tile shower. Standard shower sizes range from 32 x 32 inches to 36 x 36 inches for an accessible shower.
Consider using ceramic or porcelain tiles in the shower — both are more durable and absorb moisture well.
“We use a lot of porcelain tiles [in showers],” explains Lauren Ahrens, one half of the Austin Flipsters. The pair counts over 285,000 subscribers on YouTube. “Porcelain looks like marble but much more affordable and easier to maintain.”
Fixtures
To ensure the longevity of your shower remodel, replace your shower pan. The shower pan lives on the entire floor of the shower under the tiling. Its sloped surface ensures proper drainage and the PVC liner below the cement keeps moisture from seeping any deeper. Ready-made pans cost between $150 to $600, and a custom pan built on-site for a uniquely built shower will cost at least $900.
Showerhead
Showering can feel like a spa retreat, thanks to showerheads with rainfall features. Make your shower remodel feel extra luxe with a dual shower system ($905), or a more budget-friendly wall mount rainfall shower head for $100.
“Now they have these new showerheads that come from the ceiling,” explains Stewart. She’s seeing more buyers react positively to this modern shower trend. American Standard’s $294 ceiling mount rainfall showerhead is a bestseller at Home Depot.
You might be taking on your remodel purely for personal quality of life, but don’t “over improve for the market,” suggests Ahrens. “We always recommend checking out other updated properties on the market to get an idea of what your house would sell for if updated.”
Related labor costs
According to HomeAdvisor, labor accounts for between 40% to 65% of a home remodel project. In the case of shower remodels, labor costs can skew higher: You’ll not only need to call in a plumber but also an electrician and tiling specialist to ensure you’re getting work that’s beautiful — and up to code.
Plumbing work
HomeAdvisor estimates the cost of hiring a plumber for a shower remodel costs anywhere between $45 to $200 per hour. This includes replacing fixtures.
Professional tiling
On average, bathroom tile costs $25 per square foot to install when using a professional. Tiling a standalone ceramic shower will cost between $10 and $25 per square foot, but retiling will factor in the cost of old tile removal at $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
Hauling of current fixtures
Demolishing a bathroom costs $1,000 to $2,300, so hauling away the current shower fixture will trend on the lower end. You can hire a contractor to do this on their own, or save a few bucks in hourly pay by assisting. If you’re an experienced DIY-er, you might even feel comfortable doing this on your own.
Water damage
To avoid future mold and moisture issues, it’s best to call in a professional for waterproofing. Remediating mold in the bathroom averages $500 to $1,000, but significant water damage could lead to restoration costs closer to $8,000.
Permits
In most areas, something as simple as changing out a toilet will require a permit. A permit will run anywhere between $100 to $1,000, depending on locality.
