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By remodeling your shower, you update the entire bathroom and improve the resale value of your home. It turns an outdated, uncomfortable shower space into a beautiful space that you can look forward to every day. On average, a shower remodel costs $8,500.
We talked to several bathroom remodeling experts about their thoughts on shower remodeling costs, benefits, trends, and the best ways to save money on them.
Average price
Shower remodeling costs anywhere from $200 to $15,000, with an average cost of $8,500. However, depending on the type of shower and its condition, a shower remodel can cost up to $22,500.
Shower remodeling is flexible and adaptable to your budget, needs, age of the home and condition of the shower.
As part of an inexpensive bathroom remodel, you can spend as little as $200 to $500 to freshen up your shower by replacing fixtures, replacing tile grout, resealing, adding a filtered showerhead, and replacing the shower curtain.
If the shower is in poor condition or the bathroom has been completely remodeled, the shower may need a complete renovation. A walk-in shower unit can cost as little as $700 to $1,800 for the unit itself and can be installed by the homeowner.
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Benefits of a shower remodel
One of the main benefits of renovating your shower is better resale value if you ever sell your home, says Toronto general contractor Ryan Meagher.
A complete bathroom remodel that includes a shower remodel returns close to 74 percent of its resale value, according to Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value Report.
“If your shower is updated, functional and clean, it will go a long way in showing good and potentially be the difference between an offer for more or less,” says Meagher.
It’s a bonus if you update your shower based on the latest trends, but not necessary if you’re on a budget.
“In general, homebuyers want to make sure the home they’re looking to buy is well-maintained,” says Meagher. “So if your shower looks like it’s been taken care of, it will go a long way toward selling your home.”
Major cost drivers
The price of remodeling a shower depends on its size, condition, age of the bathroom and type of shower.
Size
Because there are more materials, a larger shower will cost more to replace than a smaller shower. For a prefabricated unit, costs range from about $2,200 to $3,000.
| Expenses | Shower size | Shower Type |
| $2,197 | 30 x 60 inches | Tub-shower |
| $2,200 | 42 x 60 inches | Tub-shower |
| $2,325 | 30 x 60 inches | Just a shower |
| $2,390 | 32 x 60 inches | Tub-shower |
| $2,580 | 32×60 inches | Just a shower |
| 3,000 dollars | 36 x 36 inches | Just a shower |
Condition and age
If the shower and bath are 20 to 30 years old, there is a good chance that the shower will need extensive reconstruction.
Type of shower
Building a shower enclosure with special features can increase the overall cost of a shower remodel:
- Walk-in shower: Installing a walk-in shower costs between $1,150 and $8,000, with an average price of $6,700. The shower cubicle doesn’t have a curb or a shower tray, so it’s often installed by people with mobility issues or anyone who likes its clean, modern look.
- Steam shower: Prefab steam shower units cost from $2,800 to $7,100. On average, the cost of converting to a steam shower is about $4,300.
Materials
The type of shower material is a major factor in the overall cost of the shower.
Contractor Michael Peck says the most expensive shower materials are anything with marble or granite, while the more cost-effective materials are acrylic or ceramic tiles.
Acrylic is a popular choice for bathroom renovations, says Peck, 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 possibilities.”
The cost of shower materials ranges from about $1 per square foot for ceramic or porcelain tile to $65 for a stone slab and $70 for a solid surface. High-end ceramic or porcelain tiles can cost up to $100 per square foot.
| Material | low price (square foot) | High price (square foot) |
| Ceramic or porcelain tiles | $1 | 100 dollars |
| Glass tile | $11 | $25 |
| Stone tiles | $5 | $50 |
| Porcelain plate | $10 | $30 |
| Stone slab | $40 | 65 dollars |
| Solid surface | $40 | $70 |
Types of shower renovations
Shower remodeling is a malleable concept, so it’s up to the homeowner to decide the level of complexity—anything from a shower refresh to shower replacement and relocation.
Shower Refresh
A shower refresh costs from $200 to $500.
A shower refresh consists of replacing the shower fixtures (shower faucet, tub spout, mixer valve) with more modern finishes, re-grouting the tiles, replacing the existing silicone seal, and adding a niche in the shower enclosure. You can even change the color of the grout by tinting it with grout paint.
“In some cases, all it takes to freshen up a shower is to clean the tile and grout to make it shine like it used to,” says Meager.
Moving the shower
“Relocating the shower is where the real money is spent,” says Hendrik Vandepoll, master plumber and co-owner of Service Force Plumbing.
Vandepoll estimates that a simple move with no surprises would run about $2,000 to $4,000. That’s just the cost of moving the plumbing in the shower; shower installation is a separate expense.
Converting a bathtub into a shower
Converting a tub to a shower costs an average of $3,000, although prices can range from $1,200 to $8,000.
Changing from a bathtub to a shower is often a good idea when you have more than one bathroom. But from a resale perspective, it’s best to have at least one tub in the house.
“Many families prefer a tub for toddlers,” he says. “Additionally, our population is aging, and as many plan to age, walk-in tubs are more affordable. In fact, we’re seeing increased demand for shower-to-tub conversions.”
Signs that 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 usually lies under the shower.
“If there’s any visible water damage underneath the shower system that’s causing it to not be completely watertight, it’s probably time for a complete shower renovation,” says Meagher.
Another reason is if you are planning to renovate somewhere in the house and want to connect everything stylishly. You wouldn’t want to update your entire home and still leave the shower in a style that was popular 20 or 30 years ago.
Shower remodeling tips
Hendrik Vandepoll and Roy Barnes, co-owners of Service Force Plumbing, offer expert advice on shower remodeling.
Limit changes behind the wall
“The best way to renovate a shower while keeping plumbing costs low is to change fixtures without changing any plumbing behind the wall,” says Vandepoll. “If you already have relatively modern plumbing, it’s often quite simple.
Upgrade to Code
If you have an old two or three handle system, you may not have any type of burn protection.
“This is probably a code violation that needs to be addressed,” Barnes says.
This will prevent direct replacement of the device. Instead, installing a thermostatic valve or other solution will require a licensed plumber.
Replace tubing for higher flow devices
Older buildings may also have smaller diameter pipes to supply the bathroom. If you want to upgrade to a higher-flow fixture, such as a rain shower, you may need to replace the old plumbing inside the walls.
“This is less of a problem in newer buildings, but it can still be a problem,” Vandepoll says. So you’ll want to check the maximum gallons per minute flow to the shower before you buy the equipment.”
Use high-quality fittings
Barnes advises homeowners to think twice before buying cheap, low-quality shower fixtures.
“Over the past few years, we have been called upon to repair an increasing number of off-brand devices … only to find that there are no replacement parts available,” says Barnes. “This is particularly bad news for customers who have done a complete bathroom remodel and now have to rip out part of that remodel to replace, not repair, the fixture.”
FAQ
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The cheapest way to redo your shower is to freshen it up. Refreshing the shower means replacing the shower fittings, replacing the tile grout, removing and replacing the silicone seal and possibly adding an element such as a niche in the shower.
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Depending on the degree of complexity, the reconstruction of the shower cabin can last from one day to two weeks. A simple shower refresh can take a day or two, while moving and rebuilding a shower can take two to three weeks.
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