How Much Does It Cost To Redo a Shower?

Water flowing from a showerhead

Your bathroom plays a more important role in your life than you’d like to acknowledge. One highly functional aspect of your bathroom is none other than – your shower! Whether you want drain off all the dirt from your body or just unwind after a tiring day, the shower area is always there for you. However, if you have a shower with outdated bath fixtures, yellowing tiles and the stall a size of a tin can, it can literally dampen your entire shower experience.

The only way for you to improve your experience and turn your old shower area to a brand new spa-like place, is to opt for a shower remodel! The word remodel usually pushes homeowners to ask one main question – how much does it cost to redo a shower?

Well, without further ado, let’s dive into it and take a look at everything that goes into the cost to redo a shower.

Average Cost to Redo a Shower

The national average cost of redoing a shower is around $4,150. While the most economical shower remodel can cost you around $300, a luxury shower remodel can cost you as much as $15,000. So, the cost you’re willing to incur largely depends on your personal preference and choice.

Considering this extensive price range, it doesn’t come as a surprise that there are various factors that account for the total cost to redo a shower.

Here is a breakdown of the total cost to redo a shower to give you a better idea.

Different Types of Shower Remodels

Shower remodels don’t always have to be expensive. With the variety of shower types available in the market, you can choose the perfect one to suit your needs and most of all, your budget.

So, here are a few shower types along with their costs to help you choose the best one.

Prefabricated Shower

A prefabricated shower is a premade shower that is manufactured in bulk with an average cost range of $810-$930. This type of shower is typically made out of three materials plastic, acrylic and gelcoat fiberglass. Prefabricated showers come in standard dimension and are relatively easier to install in comparison to customized shower units. Your contractor will only have to assemble it rather than having to build it from scratch.

Premade shower units are quite durable as they come with a watertight construction. Moreover, since they are so convenient to install, homeowners can do a DIY. However, one of the major issues with this shower type is that they come in limited colors and designs.

Classic Tub-Shower Combination ($4,600 to $6,600)

Some homeowners prefer opting for a combination of a tub and shower. While the tub is great to bathe kids, the shower is pretty convenient for adults. A new tub installation can cost an average of $3,600. Also, if you’re planning to retile or get new tiles around the shower, you will have to pay an additional $12 to $25 per square foot. So, if you opt for tiling in addition to getting the classic tub-shower combination, you can expect to pay around $4,600 to $6,600 for the entire project.

Custom Walk-In Shower

There’s no doubt that a custom walk-in shower will cost you way more than a prefabricated one. You can expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 to get this type of shower. The cost of this shower largely relies on the materials you choose and the level of customization you opt for.

Here are some cost estimates of popular customized walk-in showers.

  • Customized acrylic walk-in showers can cost you anywhere from $6,000 to $7,000.
  • An onyx walk-in shower costs around $7,000 to $8,500.
  • Walk-in showers with custom-tiled walls range from $8,500 to $10,000.

Moreover, if you need to make way for your walk-in shower by getting rid of a tub, you will have pay somewhere around $1,200 to $3,600. This includes the removal of the tub, preparation of the surface and setting up of the stall.

Cost Breakdown of Materials

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the individual materials that are added to the total cost to redo a shower.  

Shower Doors

Unless you’re planning to purchase a prefabricated shower, you will have to get a shower door separately. There are many different kinds of door available in various styles and materials. Also, once again, you can expect customized doors to cost a lot more than premade alternatives.

Let’s take a look at the different kinds of doors for your shower.

Framed Doors

A framed door typically costs about $200. They are comparatively cheaper and easier to come by than other alternatives. However, the frame around the glass can dampen the overall design of the shower.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are quite easy to find and install, costing you around $300 on average. However, the sliding mechanism means that one part of the shower will always be blocked. While this might be a great option for big washrooms, installing them in small ones will just make them feel claustrophobic.

French Doors

French doors are a rather expensive option, costing $900 on average. Their high price is mainly because they are custom-made, allowing the door to open completely, and making even a small shower feel more expansive.

Frameless Doors

Frameless doors are incredibly popular right now. These doors are often made-to-order and can cost you anywhere from $900 to $2,500.

Tiling

As a homeowner, you probably know how important tiling is for your washroom. Retiling a shower costs you an average of $12.50 per square foot. So, you can expect to tile your shower floor and walls for anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000. This rate is for a standard shower size, which is around 36 x 36 inches.

The most popular tiling materials are ceramic or porcelain. Both these materials are not only highly durable, but they also absorb a great amount of moisture and are relatively easier to maintain.

Fixtures

The enhance the longevity of your shower, you will have to replace your shower pan. The shower pan is basically the area that lives on entire floor of the shower under the tiling. This sloped surface is meant to ensure proper drainage while its PVC liner below the cement helps keep moisture from seeping any deeper.  While a premade shower pan costs between $200 and $500, a customized one tailored specifically according to your shower needs will cost you a minimum of $650.

Showerhead

With the new and innovative rainfall features of showerheads, showering can give you the feel of a true shower retreat. The most inexpensive option is the wall mount rainfall showerhead that will cost you around $70 whereas one of the most expensive showerheads is the dual shower system that costs a whopping $630. So, you can expect to pay anywhere between $70 and $630 for your showerhead depending on your personal preference and budget.

Labor Expenses

A research study suggests that labor makes up for between 40% and 65% of the total cost to redo a shower. These costs may run even higher considering that you will need a plumber, tiling professional and electrician to ensure that your work runs smoothly.

Plumbing Expense

Your shower cannot be functional with a plumber. Plumbing is a very risky task that you cannot afford to take a test run with. So, hiring a plumber will add around $1,000 to $2,000 to the total cost to redo a shower. This expense is inclusive of fixture replacement.

Professional Tiling Expense

Installing bathroom tiles costs around $25 per square on average. So, retiling a standalone shower using ceramic tiles will cost you between $1,600 and $2,120.

Hauling of Current Fixtures

You will have to account for the hauling of existing fixtures in the total cost to redo a shower. The demolishing cost of an entire bathroom ranges from $1,000 to $2,300. In this case, getting your current shower fixtures removed will cost you on the lower end. Hiring a contractor obviously cost more so you can also do this by yourself.

Waterproofing

It’s not surprise that bathrooms incur the most mold and moisture issues. So, it’s best to opt for waterproof by hiring a professional. Remediating mold in a bathroom can cost you around $500 on average. Moreover, if there’s considerable water damage in your bathroom, the restoration cost will lie close to $2,700.

Permits

In many areas, you will probably require a permit to transform your bathroom. The expense of this permit can run anywhere from $350 to a whopping $1,000 depending on your locality.

Wrapping Up

Remodeling a shower is an integral part of any bathroom renovation. However, if you only choose to upgrade your shower area without revamping any other bathroom features, you need to ensure that you don’t create a mismatched look.

Also remember that you shouldn’t ever compromise on your shower just because of your budget. Skimping on the materials or labor will later on lead to more costs. So, if you’ve got the time and budget for a shower remodel, better get started on it right now and enjoy the upgrade for years to come!

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