How Much Does A Shower Remodel Cost In 2023? (2024)

The cost of a shower remodel depends on the type of shower enclosure. There are three main types to choose from: walk-in, prefabricated or tub-and-shower combo.

Walk-In Shower

Walk-in showers are a luxurious addition to any bathroom. Rather than stepping over the bathtub wall to get into the shower, walk-in showers are easy to navigate in and out. They can be customized entirely with materials that are budget-friendly, high-end, or everything in between; therefore, the cost has a wide range from $400 to $8,500.

Prefabricated Shower Insert

Prefabricated shower inserts are a great option if you’re on a budget. For between $200 and $8,000, a prefabricated shower kit comes with the entire shower surround and fixtures. Shower inserts are available in various styles to fit your home’s aesthetics, but they almost always have signature smooth acrylic or fiberglass walls. Sometimes the walls have indents that mimic the look of tile lines. Since the walls are one piece with little to no seams, you can rest easy, knowing your unit won’t leak.

Tub and Shower

A tub-and-shower combination is what you will see in most homes. These units take up less space than a separate shower and bathtub would. For around $3,000 on average, a tub-and-shower can be customized with your tile and fixture preferences. If you are starting from scratch or moving the location of your shower, waterproof drywall and plumbing costs should also be considered.

Whether you are following the latest bathroom trends or planning something a little more timeless, these factors will affect your shower remodel cost.

Type of Shower

Showers are available in a few varieties, including walk-in, prefabricated and tub-and-shower combinations. Prefabricated shower inserts are the cheapest option as they are assembled in a factory and are easier to install in your bathroom. A walk-in shower is usually the most expensive as a lot of tile work and custom glazing is often involvedg. A tub-and-shower combination is typically priced in the middle of the two previous shower types and is a practical and popular option.

Shower Size

The physical size of your shower and the scope of work size will affect the overall cost. A small shower has less of a footprint than a large walk-in shower. As tile costs anywhere from $4 to $115 per square foot, you can see how the price of a large shower increases quickly. The scope of work is everything you plan to include in your shower remodel project.

If you just want to swap out the fixtures or reglaze the tub, that will be much cheaper than replacing all the tile and the glass door. Consider what really needs to be replaced to cut down on costs.

Existing Bathroom Age and Condition

Replacing a shower in an older bathroom comes with plenty of unknowns that will likely increase your budget. Behind the bathroom walls in houses 40 years and older, you might find outdated galvanized or lead pipes, water damage, the presence of mold or many other issues that necessitate repair. You are less likely to run into these costly issues in a newer home.

Shower Doors

Depending on the design of your bathroom, the shower may need a glass door rather than a curtain or no door at all. You will have a few options to choose from if your shower does indeed require a door. Shower doors can either be stock or custom and framed or frameless. A stock glass shower door available at a local home improvement store will cost less than one custom fit for your particular bathroom.

Framed shower doors are the less expensive option when compared to frameless. Frameless doors use a special type of tempered glass that is shatter-resistant and comes at a premium price.

Type of Tile

If your new shower will have a tile surround, the type of tile you choose plays a huge role in the overall cost. Tiles come in a wide variety of materials, shapes, sizes and quality. A basic white subway tile will be much cheaper than marble or large format porcelain tile. Your shower tile makes a significant design impact, but that doesn’t mean it has to significantly impact your budget.

Consider choosing a mid-tier tile, like a hexagon ceramic option, that offers quality and style at a reasonable price.

The right person to hire for a shower remodel is usually a general contractor or handyman that is a jack of all trades. Redoing a shower requires plumbing, tiling and drywalling and can also require framing, glazing installation and painting.

To properly hire a shower remodeler, contact multiple companies and receive at least three bids to compare costs and services. Also, request testimonials and images of past similar projects and ask any project-related questions you have before signing a contract for hire.

Whether you just moved into a new home and want to remodel the bathroom or your current bathroom needs a new face-lift, there are a few things to note before getting started, like if the shower needs to be remodeled. Here are some signs you should consider revamping your shower:

Leaky Showerheads

A leaky shower head is a tell-tale sign of an issue with your shower. Whether there is a constant drip or water flow when the shower is turned off, a leaking showerhead can cause multiple issues, like a faulty valve, worn-out gaskets or mineral buildup, not to mention wasted water and high water bills. By remodeling your shower, you’ll be able to identify the problem and fix it.

Reduced Water Pressure

Reduced water pressure is another sign typically caused by sediment buildup on the shower head and the pipes. Therefore, when you turn on the shower, the water flow will slow, lessening your shower experience. A remodel of your shower can help to resolve this issue.

Difficulty Controlling the Water Temperature

No one likes a shower that is too cold or too hot. So when you cannot control the water temperature of your shower, it may be caused by various factors, including issues with the shower valve and improper installation of your new water heater, etc. Therefore, remodeling your shower may be a solution to the problem.

For most homeowners, remodeling a shower yourself is too tall of an order. Poor tile work with uneven grout lines can cause water intrusion and generally doesn’t look good. Plumbing that is not installed correctly will have a similar outcome. When it comes to remodeling a shower, your best bet is to leave it to the experts.

Hiring a pro to remodel your shower ensures the plumbing connections and tile work are quality and will last for years to come. You can either hire a general contractor who will take on all the shower remodel tasks or separately hire a tile contractor and plumber. If you choose the latter, be sure to clearly set expectations with each company so there are no gaps in communication that cause installation issues.

You will have to make dozens of decisions when remodeling a shower, from who to hire to what finishes look best together. Use these tips to ensure your project is a success.

• Consider all of the details: A detail as small as the color of your tile grout can throw off a look. Work with your contractor or designer to select your shower materials confidently.
• Think about maintenance: Tiled showers have a lot of grout lines that need to be kept clean. If cleaning isn’t your favorite activity, choose a larger format tile or even consider using a stone slab to reduce the number of grout lines.
• Budget for the unknowns: Always include a contingency budget in your overall project cost. If you run into water damage, outdated plumbing, or back-ordered materials, this money will be necessary to avoid overrunning your budget.

To arrive at the average costs in this article, a number of providers and cost databases were surveyed on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.