Installing a walk-in shower costs $6,700, on average, but your total could fall anywhere between $1,150 and $8,000. A pro will consider several factors like size and type to craft your specific quote.
Let’s be real: you don't always want to step over a tub to take a shower. A walk-in shower costs between $1,150 and $8,000—a notably large range because of the multitude of options. A walk-in shower can give your bathroom an element of luxury that the standard bathtub-shower combo just can’t. This guide walks you through the cost of walk-in shower installation, whether you go prefab or start picking out custom tiling.
Once you’ve decided on a shower over a bathtub, the price of a walk-in shower has such a huge range because of the various forms they can take. You can go for a fully-customized shower made from luxe, high-end tiles with frameless glass doors or choose a semi-prefabricated option that won’t break the bank. It all depends on the look you’re hoping to achieve. Here’s how the price of a walk-in shower breaks down.
Like most projects, the larger your shower, the more it will cost. That said, you may be able to save some money on labor if you choose a standard-sized shower because it will typically fit into your pre-existing space without the need for extensive renovations. These are the two most common options:
Standard-sized shower: 32 by 32 inches
Accessible shower: 36 by 36 inches
The latter is the minimum size that complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)—but otherwise, you can customize your shower to your liking. It’s just going to cost you.
You’ll need to choose between a prefabricated shower or a custom shower. Prefabricated shower kits, which come in standard sizes, can save a lot of money. You can find budget-friendly prefab inserts for as little as $300 to $500, whereas a custom tile shower can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $6,800 for the tile alone.
Higher-end materials will increase the cost of the job. If you’re going with a custom shower, you have a larger range of options—but something like cultured marble will cost more than tile. Below are some common materials and costs.
| Walk-In Shower Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Acrylic insert | $500 – $2,000 |
| Fiberglass insert | $400 – $2,000 |
| Tile | $2 – $17 per sq. ft. |
| Marble | $10 – $35 per sq. ft. |
| Cultured granite, Corian, and other stone | $40 – $65 per sq. ft. |
A large part of the cost of a shower installation is labor. Most homeowners wind up paying about $400 to $2,000 to their contractor, excluding the cost of materials. Labor costs will rise for complicated, custom jobs.
Most states require a permit for renovations—especially if they involve plumbing. Expect to spend around $250 on the cost of a permit, but it could go as high as $500.
Adding features for accessibility, like built-in shelves, grab bars, a shower bench, or slip-resistant flooring can increase the cost of your walk-in shower by $75 to $1,900. Adding luxury features can cost up to $10,000, depending on what features you want to add. Features like a rainfall showerhead, frameless shower doors, dual head showers, and steam showers can add extra to your total installation cost.
Type is one of the largest factors that will dictate the price of your walk-in shower. You’ll almost always spend less on a prefabricated kit than on a custom walk-in shower. Which type works best for your home depends on your needs and budget.
Prefabricated shower kits are simple to install and typically made from inexpensive materials. Most manufactured shower stalls (typically made from fiberglass or acrylic) cost anywhere from $700 to $3,000 to install. You can find prefab models made from lightweight plastic for as little as $300.
Custom walk-in showers range more in price but generally cost between $4,200 and $8,500. Remember, they cost much more if you choose high-end materials and fully-customized features.
Homeowners love custom showers because they have an essentially limitless number of options. You can use any water-tolerant tile, make it any size—as long as it fits the bathroom's footprint—and add any number of luxury features.
Your walk-in shower installation may come with a few additional costs. It depends on the type of job. At the very least, installations usually require a little demolition and plumbing work, if not more serious renovations. Here are some things that will add to the total price.
If you’re converting your bathtub into a walk-in shower, you’ll have to pay extra to remove your tub and prep the new surface. For most homeowners, the total cost of a tub-to-shower conversion ranges from $1,200 to $8,000—unless you choose expensive materials and custom tiling, which will raise costs.
Demolition is part of the typical cost of a shower remodel. You need to get rid of the old stuff—which could include your old shower, tile, and even a wall (if you’re doing serious renovations). Generally, you’ll spend $50 to $100 to remove your old shower, $300 to $1,000 to remove a non-load-bearing wall, and $250 to remove construction debris.
Some projects may need significant plumbing work, while others may not. It all depends on the renovation. Adding plumbing for your shower generally costs $600 to $1,600, though prices rise if it’s part of a new build. In that case, you’ll need to install plumbing for the whole bathroom. The cost of rough-in plumbing is $7,000 on average.
If you’re building a custom shower, you may need to waterproof your shower tile. Contractors will typically install a waterproof membrane below your custom shower pan, usually in the form of a sheet membrane that runs from $500 to $1,000 or a liquid membrane that runs from $50 to $800. On top of that, you’ll need to pay for the additional labor.
Glass doors are chic, whether you choose frameless shower doors for an elevated feel or something more traditional. You’ll spend anywhere from $550 to $1,400 on the cost of installing a glass shower door.
Most prefab showers come with a 7-inch curb, but you can purchase pans with smaller curbs. If you want to go curbless, you’ll need to go custom. Curbless showers require extra labor because your contractor will need to slope the floor just right to ensure water drains where it needs to go. A custom shower pan can cost around $2,500.
Walk-in showers can be a more accessible option to bathtubs. If someone in your household is in need of accessibility modifications, meet with you contractor about any of the following options:
Creating a wider shower door or entryway. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines state an entry should be at least 36 inches wide.
Grab bars to assist with entering and exiting the shower.
Adding seating inside a shower.
Moving controls like knobs, shower heads, and faucets to be closer to the door or where individuals can easily reach.
Most of the time, you probably won’t want to install a walk-in shower on your own. The only person who should alter plumbing is a licensed plumber—lest you make an error that results in some serious water damage. You may not even be able to get a permit on your own.
DIY-savvy homeowners can install prefab shower kits. A direct-to-stud shower kit costs as little as $400 from your local hardware store, but don’t attempt this DIY unless you know what you’re doing. Even then, you’ll still probably need to hire a plumber for part of the job.
Hiring a pro typically adds $400 to $2,000 to the total cost of the job, but it’s well worth it to avoid costly errors. Contact three shower installers near you to get the best price at the best quality, and make sure to double-check their references.
Installing a walk-in shower is a project that requires a serious budget. You can’t get it done for a couple of hundred bucks and an afternoon of rolling up your sleeves. Nonetheless, there are still ways you can save on the job.
Prefab kits are hands down the best way to save on the cost of installing a shower. They cost thousands less than their fully customized counterparts.
If you’re a handy homeowner, you can DIY part of your shower installation—especially if you’re installing a prefab shower kit. Have a pro install the plumbing and other tricky bits while you handle the rest.
For example, you can save $550 to $1,400 by having your contractor skip a pricey glass door installation. Instead, install a curtain rod and shower curtain yourself. If your shower needs custom tiling, maybe you’re a grout wizard. Do the shower tiling on your own once the waterproof membrane is in place.
Creating a shower pan from scratch is tricky and takes a lot of time, measuring, and know-how. Save on labor by installing a manufactured shower pan, which costs $250 to $400. Leave the high-end tile for your walls.
Save money by skipping shower add-ons and upgrades. Choose the best basic shower head rather than reaching for the least expensive luxury option. Avoid luxury materials like marble and stone; go for acrylic, fiberglass, or porcelain tile.
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The cost to replace a bathtub with a walk-in shower can range from $1,200 to $8,000. Custom showers are towards the high end, while prefab showers are on the low end.
Walk-in showers aren’t necessarily better. It depends on your circumstances. On the one hand, they’re more accessible—especially for people who use a wheelchair. They also take up less space than bathtubs and are ideal for small bathrooms. On the other hand, some families may need a bathtub to bathe young children and pets.
A walk-in shower can add value to your home—but only if it doesn’t replace your only tub. It’s all about expanding access to people of all mobility types rather than diminishing it. Most home buyers want at least one bathtub, especially buyers with small children. Some homeowners also enjoy easily walking into a shower.
On the real estate side of things, a bathroom with a walk-in shower is considered a three-quarter bath rather than a full bath. You can be sure it will at least add more value than a half-bath.
Walk-in showers do require a little extra maintenance. The glass is prone to mildew and hard water buildup, so you’ll have to clean your glass shower door more frequently. They’re also harder to use than a tub for small children, and if you choose an open shower, you’ll get less privacy with a potential draft.
