You obviously don't always want to climb over a tub to shower. The many options available allow a walk-in shower to vary in cost from $900 to $8,000. Your bathroom will seem more luxurious with a walk-in shower than with a standard bathtub-shower combo alone. Whether you decide on custom tiles or prefabricated options, this guide walks you through the costs associated in walk-in shower installation.
Cost Breakdown of a Walk-In Shower
The cost of a walk-in shower differs greatly depending on the style it uses if you choose one over a bathtub. Either choose a semi-prepared, less priced alternative or a totally bespoke shower made from luxury, premium tiles with frosted glass doors. All depends on the look you want to produce. A walk-in shower's cost is broken out here as an item.
Size
Like many projects, your shower will cost more the larger it is. Having said that, choosing a standard-sized shower can help you to save labor expenses since it will usually suit your current space without calling for any alterations. These two options are the most often selected ones:
- Standard shower: 32x32 inch
- Accessible shower: 36x36 inch
The latter shows the lowest measurements that satisfy the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements; yet, you are free to change your shower anyway you like. Simply said, it will cost you.
Type
You need to choose a custom shower or a pre-made one. Standard measurements of prefabricated shower units might help to drastically cut expenses. While a custom tile shower can set you back between $1,800 and $6,800 only for the tile, affordable prefab inserts are available for budgets ranging from $300 to $500.
Materials
Using quality materials will increase the cost of the job. While materials like cultured marble tend to be more expensive than tile, choosing a custom shower allows you more options. These are some common materials together with their costs.
Labor
A lot of the cost of constructing a shower is labor. Usually excluding material expenses, most homeowners find themselves paying their contractor between $400 and $2,000. Labor-related costs will rise for complex, customized projects.
Permits
Most states require a permit for renovations, especially if they call for plumbing. For a permit, expect to spend about $250; the cost could run up to $500.
Additional Features
Adding built-in shelves, grab bars, a shower bench, or slip-resistant flooring might increase the cost of your walk-in shower by $75 to $1,900. Depending on the particular upgrades you choose, including luxury elements might run as much as $10,000. Your total installation costs may rise with additions including a rainfall showerhead, frameless shower doors, multiple shower heads, and steam showers.
Cost of a Walk-In Shower by Type
Among the main factors influencing the cost of your walk-in shower will be the type. Usually, a prefabricated kit will cost less than a walk-in shower created by custom design. Your financial plan and needs will help you decide what kind of home best fits you.
- Prefab
- Quite reasonably priced
- Easy setup
- costly to fix or improve upon
- Just come in conventional measurements
- Custom
- Infinite visual choices
- simpler to fix or upgrade from
- Complicated to install
- High initial expenses
Prefabricated Walk-In Shower
Usually built from low-cost materials, prefabricated shower systems are straightforward to install. Usually built from fiberglass or acrylic, most manufactured shower stalls fall in installation prices between $700 and $3,000. Just $300 will get you prefab models made of lightweight plastic.
Custom Walk-In Shower
Though their costs vary, custom walk-in showers usually fall between $4,200 to $8,500. Remember that choosing premium materials and totally customized choices will greatly raise the price.
Custom showers are highly appreciated by homeowners because of the almost limitless options. Choose any tile that will resist water, adjust its scale to match the measurements of the bathroom, and add a variety of opulent accents.
Other Walk-In Shower Costs to Think About
Your walk-in shower installation can cause some additional costs. It depends on the type of work one does. Installations usually consist, at least in part, of some demolition and plumbing chores, if not more involved renovations. The following elements will raise the total cost:
Conversion Costs:
Your bathtub will cost extra to convert into a walk-in shower because of tub removal and surface preparation. Unless you choose premium materials and custom tiles, which can raise costs, the general cost of turning a tub into a shower for most homeowners falls between $1,000 and $8,000.
Demolition Costs:
One typical cost of a shower remodel is demolition. If you are doing major renovations, you have to get rid of the old stuff, including your old shower, tiles, and maybe a wall. Taking out your existing shower will usually cost $50 to $100; removing a non-load-bearing wall will cost $200 to $1,000; and disposal of construction trash will cost $200.
Plumbing:
While some projects could call for significant plumbing, others might not. Everything relies on the renovation. Usually running between $500 and $1,500, installing plumbing for your shower will cost more if it's included in a newly built house. In that case, you have to arrange bathroom plumbing for the whole house. Rough-in plumbing averages $6,500 in expenses.
Waterproofing:
You may have to waterproof your shower tiles if you are building a bespoke shower. Usually as a sheet membrane between $500 and $1,000 or a liquid membrane priced from $50 to $800, contractors typically lay a waterproof membrane under your custom shower pan. You will also have to pay for the additional labor.
Glass Shower Doors:
Whether your preferred design is more classic or a sophisticated look, glass doors radiate elegance. Frameless shower doors provide this as well. A glass shower door will set you back anything from $550 to $1,400.
Curbless Walk-In Shower:
While most prefab showers have a 7-inch curb, you can purchase pans with narrower curbs. You will have to choose a unique solution if you want no curb. Since your contractor has to properly angle the floor to ensure water drains effectively, curbless showers call for more effort. A custom shower pan might run you about $2,500.
Additional Accessibility Features:
Conveniently alternative to bathtubs are walk-in showers. See your contractor about any of the following options should a member of your house need accessibility modifications:
building a bigger shower door or entrance. According to American with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules, an entryway has to be at least 36 inches wide.
Handrails to assist with shower entrance and exit.
Including a seat in a shower.
Moving controls such faucets, showerheads, and knobs to be close to the door or within reach for people.
Walk-In Shower Self Installation Cost
Usually, you probably wouldn't want to install a walk-in shower on your own. A qualified plumber is the only one who should change plumbing; else, you run the danger of making a mistake causing major water damage. Maybe you won be able to get a permit by yourself.
DIY-savvy homeowners can set up prefab shower kits. Your local hardware store will have a direct-to--stud shower kit for as little as $300; but, unless you are experienced, you should not try this do-it-yourself. Still, part of the work will probably call for a plumber.
DIY vs. Professional Walk-In Shower Installation
Although using a professional will surely save costly blunders, normally the cost of the work will be $200 to $1,600 more. Make sure you check their references and contact three local shower installers to get the greatest pricing and quality.
How to Reduce Walk-In Shower Costs
One job requiring a large budget is building a walk-in shower. With just a few hundred dollars and an afternoon of labor, you won't be able to do it. Still, there are ways you may save even now at work.
- Invest in a prefabricated shower kit
Clearly the best way to cut costs during shower installation is using prefab kits. Their prices are thousands less than those of their rather tailored substitutes.
- DIY the Simple Stuff
If you're a creative homeowner, you can manage elements of your shower arrangement yourself—especially when building a prefabricated shower kit. Let a professional handle the plumbing and other difficult chores while you oversee the remaining work.
For example, choosing to forego an expensive glass door installation with your contractor could save between $450 and $1,200. Instead, put up a shower curtain pole and curtain on your own. Maybe you are a grout master if your shower calls for unusual tiles. Complete the shower tiling yourself once the waterproof membrane is set in place.
- Consider the Shower Pan When Customizing
Building a shower pan from the ground up calls for a lot of time, measurements, and knowledge and is difficult. Using a pre-fabricated shower pan, which runs between $200 and $400, cut labor expenditures. Save the superior tiles for your walls.
- Skip Upgrades and Add-Ons
Save money by cutting off shower extras and additions. Instead of choosing the least expensive luxury shower head, get the best basic one. Avoid lavish materials like stone and marble; choose instead acrylic, fiberglass, or porcelain tiles.
How George Gets His Cost Information
Home is the most important place on Earth, GEORGE has helped more than 10,000 people make their dwellings treasured homes. GEORGE keeps strict editing standards and provides most exact cost information to help users with their forthcoming projects. To provide the cost information you see, we carefully review project expenses so you may make the best decisions for your house and personal budget. To ensure our rates reflect real projects, we rely on reliable sources such the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic publications, market research, and industry professional conversations. Please note that some labor costs may vary depending on your local labor rates.
Seeking our help to improve your cost data? Please kindly ask the George Group project manager for help with professional services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Swapping a bathtub for a walk-in shower will set you back anything from $900 to $8,000. Prefab showers fall at the budget end; custom showers are at the premium end.
Not always better are walk-in showers. It depending on your circumstances. On one side, especially for those who use a wheelchair, they are more accessible. Perfect for small bathrooms, they also take less space than bathtubs. On the other hand, some families might need a bathtub for pet and small child washing.
Easy to Keep
Since most of the surfaces in a walk-in shower are level and there are less nooks or areas where dirt or grime could build up, cleaning one is easy. Because there are less cracks and corners to clean than in a traditional shower enclosure, cleaning the glass walls and tiled flooring takes less time.
Adaptable
Since a walk-in shower may be customized to meet your particular area, any bathroom size can have one fitted. Installing this form of shower in a location that can be limited or unusually shaped should not present any problems.
Ease of Access
Walk-in showers provide more accessibility than bathtubs or shower stalls and are therefore a perfect choice for anyone with mobility problems. They eliminate the need of crossing a high edge or tripping on a steep entrance during shower access.
Modern Minimalist Design
Since a walk-in shower has less moving components—few doors or shower curtains—it is simple and straightforward. Since most versions are made of glass walls with a frameless look, no elements can deflect attention from your bathroom décor and turn it into a more transparent component.
More Space
Though it can fit rather nicely in tiny bathrooms, a walk-in shower lends the impression of a large space. Not blocked by a shower door, the shower is clearly seen. This settled footage adds to the overall bathroom, effectively doubling the perception of its size.
Price
Although walk-in showers increase the value of a house, their installation cost is more than that of standard step-in showers. For correct installation, it's best to work with a contractor; often, the materials are more costly than other options.
Slip Hazard
Eliminating walls and doors from a shower raises the possibility of water cascading onto a slick floor, therefore increasing the chance of slipping.
Diminished Privacy
Eliminating a wall, door, or curtain from a shower stall also removes any sense of solitude.
Colder Showering Experience
Conventional showers' doors, walls, and curtains still hold heat. This will therefore mean that the bathroom will need much more time to reach a consistent temperature, hence extending the sense of a cooler shower.
Mold Has More Room to Grow
While enclosed showers sometimes deal with mold and mildew issues in the shower area, a full room becomes a humidity chamber gives mold more places to flourish.
