Remodeling your shower updates your entire bathroom and improves the resale value of your home. It transforms an old, unloved shower area into a gorgeous space you can look forward to every day. On average, a shower remodel costs $8,500.
We talked to several bathroom remodeling experts to get their opinions on shower remodel costs, benefits, trends, and the best ways to save money on them.
average cost
The cost of a shower remodel ranges from $200 to $15,000, with the average cost being $8,500. However, depending on type of shower And depending on its condition, rebuilding a shower can cost up to $22,500.
A shower remodel is flexible and suits your budget, needs, age of the home, and condition of the shower.
As part of a Budget-Friendly Bathroom RemodelingYou can spend at least $200 to $500 to freshen up a shower by replacing fixtures, replacing tile grout, re-caulking, etc. filtered showerheadAnd changing the shower curtain.
If the shower is in poor condition or the bathroom is being completely remodeled, a complete shower rebuild may be appropriate. A pre-built shower unit The unit can cost as little as $700 to $1,800 and can be installed by the homeowner.
Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up our free daily newspaper For the latest how-tos, reno guides and more!
Benefits of Shower Remodel
Toronto-based general contractor Ryan Meagher says a big benefit of refurbishing your shower is better resale value if you ever sell your home.
According to , a complete bathroom remodel that includes a shower remodel returns about 74 percent of its cost at resale. Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value Report,
“If your shower is updated, functional and clean, it will go a long way in keeping it looking good and potentially be the difference between offering above or below asking price,” says Meagher.
It’s a bonus if you update the shower based on the latest trends, but it’s not necessary if you have a limited budget.
“Generally, home buyers want peace of mind that the home they want to buy has been well maintained,” says Meagher. “So if your shower looks like it’s been taken care of, it will go a long way in adding value to the sale of your home.”
main cost factors
The cost of a shower remodel depends on its size, condition, age of the bathroom, and type of shower.
size
Because there are more materials, replacing a larger shower will cost more than a smaller shower. For a prefab unit, the cost ranges from approximately $2,200 to $3,000.
| Cost | shower size | shower type |
| $2,197 | 30 by 60 inches | tub-shower |
| $2,200 | 42 by 60 inches | tub-shower |
| $2,325 | 30 by 60 inches | bath only |
| $2,390 | 32 by 60 inches | tub-shower |
| $2,580 | 32 by 60 inches | bath only |
| $3,000 | 36 by 36 inches | bath only |
condition and age
If the shower and bathroom are 20 to 30 years old, there’s a good chance the shower stall may need extensive remodeling.
shower type
Building a shower with special features can increase the total cost of a shower remodel:
- walk-in shower: Its price ranges from $1,150 to $8,000 Install a Walk-In ShowerFor an average cost of $6,700. A walk-in shower It has no curb or shower pan, so it’s often installed by people with mobility issues or anyone who likes its clean, modern look.
- steam bath: Pre-fabricated steam shower units range in price from $2,800 to $7,100. On average, Cost of converting to steam bath Is approximately $4,300.
Material
The type of shower material is a major factor in the total cost of a shower.
Contractor Michael Peck says the most expensive materials for a shower include anything containing marble or granite, while more cost-effective materials are acrylic or ceramic tiles.
Peck says acrylic is a popular choice for bathroom renovations because it’s versatile, durable and low-maintenance.
“Installation is usually faster and easier, resulting in lower labor costs,” says Peck. “Acrylic also offers a wide range of design options.”
The cost of shower materials ranges from about $1 per square foot for ceramic or porcelain tile to $65 for stone slabs and $70 for solid surface. Premium ceramic or porcelain tile can cost up to $100 per square foot.
| Material | Low cost(sq ft) | High cost (sq ft) |
| ceramic tile | $1 | $100 |
| glass tile | $11 | $25 |
| stone tile | $5 | $50 |
| porcelain slab | $10 | $30 |
| stone slab | $40 | $65 |
| solid surface | $40 | $70 |
Types of Shower Remodels
A shower remodel is a flexible concept, so it’s up to the homeowner to decide on the level of complexity – anything from refreshing the shower to replacing and relocating the shower.
shower fresh
A shower refresh costs $200 to $500.
A shower refresh involves changing the shower fixtures (shower faucets, tub spouts, mixing valves) to a more modern finish, rearranging tilesreplacing existing silicone caulking, and Adding a Space to the Shower around. you can even change grout color By coloring it with grout colorant.
“In some cases, refreshing a shower requires simply cleaning the tiles and grout to get them shining like before,” says Meagher.
running a shower
“Replacing the shower is where the real money comes in,” says Hendrik Vandepoel, master plumber and co-owner of Service Force Plumbing.
Vandepoel estimates a straight transfer with no surprises would be around $2,000 to $4,000. This is only the cost of relocating the shower’s plumbing; Shower installation has a separate cost.
tub-to-shower conversion
It costs an average of $3,000 convert tub into showerHowever prices can range from $1,200 to $8,000.
Converting a bathtub to a shower is often a good idea when you have more than one bath. But from a resale standpoint, it’s best to have at least one bathtub in the house.
“Many families prefer bathtubs for bathing small children,” he says. “Also, our population is aging, and as many people plan to age in place, the walk-in bathtub is more accessible. In fact, we are seeing increasing demand for shower-to-walk-in tub conversions. ”
Signs You Need a Complete Shower Replacement
What are the signs that you need a complete shower replacement rather than a simple shower refresh? The answer is usually under the shower.
“If there has been any notable water damage beneath the shower system, causing it to no longer be completely waterproof, it’s probably time to complete a full shower renovation,” says Meagher.
Another reason is if you’re planning on renovating elsewhere in the house and want to tie everything together stylistically. You may not want to update your entire home, but still leave the shower in the same style that was popular 20 or 30 years ago.
Shower Remodeling Tips
Hendrik Vandepoel and Roy Barnes, co-owners of Service Force Plumbing, offer expert advice on shower remodels.
limit changes behind the wall
“The best way to refurbish a shower while keeping plumbing costs down is to replace the fixtures without changing the plumbing behind the wall,” says Vandepoel. “If you already have relatively modern plumbing, this is often quite simple.
upgrade to code
If you have an older two-handle or three-handle system, you may not have any type of burn protection.
“This is probably a code violation that needs to be addressed,” says Barnes.
This will prevent direct replacement of fixtures. Instead, a licensed plumber will be required to install a thermostatic valve or other solution.
Replace pipe for high flow fixtures
Older buildings may also have smaller diameter pipes feeding the bathrooms. If you want to upgrade to a higher-flow fixture, such as rain showerOld plumbing inside the walls may need to be replaced.
“This is not a problem in newer buildings, but it can still be a problem,” says Vandepoel. so you would like to verify Maximum gallons per minute flow “Go into the shower before you buy the fixtures.”
Use high quality fixtures
Barnes advises homeowners to think twice before purchasing cheap, low-quality shower fixtures.
“Over the past few years, we have been called in to repair an increasing number of off-brand fixtures…only to discover that there are no replacement parts available,” says Barnes. “This is especially bad news for customers who have completely renovated a bathroom and now have to tear down part of that remodel to replace a fixture rather than repair it.”
FAQ
-
The cheapest way to remodel a shower is to refresh it. Refreshing the shower means replacing the shower fixtures, replacing tile grout, removing and replacing silicone caulk, and possibly adding a feature like a niche around the shower.
-
Depending on the level of complexity, a shower remodel can take from one day to two weeks. Refreshing a simple shower may take a day or two, while moving and rebuilding a shower may take two to three weeks.
-
