The money you spend to add a new shower to your home is the cost of installing a shower. This includes materials, labor, and any extra features. The price can change based on your choices and location.
Want to upgrade your bathroom? Knowing the cost can help you make smart decisions. Let’s look at what you need to know about shower installation prices.
The cost usually runs from $1,000 to $6,000. High-end showers with very elaborate designs run more than $10,000. Materials, size of the shower, and labor costs add to the overall cost.
Shower installation cost
The installation expense for a particular shower can fluctuate due to a variety of reasons, such as the kind of shower to be placed, the place of installation, and the complexity of the installation involved. As a general guideline, the fee for installing a brand-new shower typically lies between $500 and $3,500.
Shower Type |
Average Cost |
| Walk-in shower | $3,500 – $15,000 |
| Prefab shower stall | $1,000 – $8,000 |
| Tub-shower combo | $1,400 – $4,000 |
| Add shower to a half-bath | $1,100 – $11,500 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| Shower liner | $1,000 – $2,600 |
Factors in Calculating Shower Installation Cost
However, the above-mentioned factors are responsible for the very costs which range from $3,733 to $11,173 depending upon the size of the shower. The national average, so far, comes to nearly $7,350. Here is what varies the costs of the shower installation:
1. Shower Size
The size of the shower is very important in the overall expense. Bigger showers need more materials and labor, thus increasing the cost. Standard little showers are about 32″ x 32″, 34″ x 34″, or 36″ x 36″. If we are referring to medium-sized showers, they would probably measure 48″ x 36″ or 48″ x 48″, whereas large showers can be as big as 60″ x 36″ or more. The ADA requires a minimum size of 36″ x 36″. Custom-built showers will, however, be an extra cost item owing to the increased space and additional materials involved.
2. Shower Type
Moreover, there is a cost difference in the type of shower installed. Prefabricated units are usually cheaper, whereas custom showers are costlier. The most economical way to install an easy shower would be to install a shower liner over an existing bathtub. Types of showers include accessibility showers, bathtub-to-shower conversions, steam showers, tub-shower combos, and walk-in showers.
3. Shower Location
This varies with location and the space chosen for a shower. If there is no shower in the home, half bath installation costs $600-$12,500 with possible new plumbing, fixtures, and walls. Creating a new bathroom is around $15,000 for an added space due to complexity in plumbing and structural work.
4. Shower Head and Faucet
It’s usually priced around anything between $50 to $1,000 for the installation of a new showerhead and faucet because the materials would take about $20-$900 resources. An additional full-body shower system with sprayers would have increased the price even more from anywhere between $600-$1,200 depending on the size of the shower.
Additional jets require new plumbing, which drives up the cost. Cost is also determined by the finishing, such as polished chrome or brushed nickel. Soft nickel finishes are pricier as a consequence of low maintenance and hiding the smudges.
Type Of Showerhead |
Average Price |
| Adjustable-pressure | $200 |
| Full-body | $600 |
| Handheld | $100 |
| High-pressure | $75 |
| Rainfall | $90 |
5. Shower Material
The type of materials used in the shower installation is acrylic, fiberglass, or tile, with tile being the most expensive, and custom-built shower bases along with high-end materials like natural stone contribute to higher installation costs.
Custom Shower Material |
Average Price Range Per Square Foot |
| Ceramic tile | $1.25 to $100 |
| Glass tile | $20 to $50 |
| Porcelain tile | $3 to $30 |
| Porcelain slab | $8 to $30 |
| Solid surface | $100 to $200 |
| Stone slab | $40 to $400 |
| Stone tile | $5 to $100 |
6. Labor
Most professional installation shower labor would be around $400 to $2,000 depending on the complexity of a project. Installation in some areas, the nature of activity ,and the number of customizations have an influence on the final cost. Labor costs tend to be higher as well in populous urban area settings that boast higher living costs compared to rural locations.
7. Demolition and Removal Costs
The contractors would remove the old shower and clean up debris. Removal cost varies from $50 to $100, and cleanup is usually about $250. In case demolition of walls or replacement of pipes is required, it would increase the cost.
8. Permit Costs
Most of the time, you would need a permit to put in a new shower, but it depends on how extensive the work is. Generally, permits cost around $250, though this will vary with your state and city.
Shower Installation Costs by Part
Here’s a breakdown of various parts and their typical costs for shower installation:
Shower Tiles: The price for Shower Tiles ranges between $1800 and $6900, depending on the material. Ceramic tiles are usually under 1 dollar per square foot, whereas high-end natural stone tiles are around 15 dollars per square foot.
Shower Pan: For a Shower Pan, which is a waterproof barrier below the tiled floor, the price is usually around $900-$2000. You might consider utilizing an existing pan so you will not incur any more costs to replace it.
Bathtub and Shower Liner: Installing a liner for a shower or bathtub usually costs about $6,400. Liners are cheap ways of refreshing the look of an old fixture and reducing man-hours
Custom Jets: Adding custom jets for that spa-like experience can run you anywhere from $900 to over $1,000 depending on whether it’s a prefabricated or custom-built system.
Custom Drainage: Adding a custom drainage system will generally average between $750 and $1300. More plumbing work adds to labor costs, making this option a pricier one.
Shower Head: The standard price of shower heads lies between $75 and $600. High-pressure heads are quite affordable. On the other hand, full-body shower heads are relatively more expensive.
Shower Replacement vs. Repair
Homeowners can either install a replacement or repair the shower based on the condition and what it needs. Here’s the division:
This involves tearing out the shower, removing the old parts, and installing new parts, like new tile work, and repiping new fixtures to go with new tile, making it extremely expensive anywhere from early estimates of $3,700 to about $11,000 or even more, depending on materials and requirements. Replacement makes sense in cases where age, destruction, or change of size is desired for a given shower.
More cost-efficient, it can be repaired from $150-$500 depending on the type of damage, which includes fixing a leak, broken tiles, or a bad shower head. If the general condition of the shower is alright but there are minor problems that can make the shower not function well, this would be perfect.
How to Save Money on Shower Installation Costs
A new shower installation can spruce up your bathroom, but the costs tend to get high. Well, here are a few cost-saving techniques for installing showers that should help any homeowner:
- Get Multiple Estimates: Get three or more bids from different reputable contractors and check for a comparison of pricing, then decide on your best cost
- Go Prefabricated: Prefab shower units are much cheaper than custom ones. They look nifty and can be varied in dimensions and styles to fit your budget
- Keep the Same Layout: Changing a floor plan can skyrocket your expenses due to redoing plumbing and structural work. Staying with your original layout will save you from such costs
- Do Some Demolition Yourself: You are going to save on labor costs by doing the demolition work of getting the old shower or tub removed yourself if you’re comfortable with doing it. Just make sure not to damage any plumbing or wall fixtures
- OPT for Less Expensive Materials: Choose ceramic tiles rather than stone slabs. Ceramic tiles are cheap, yet they are still attractive
- Schedule During the Offseason: The slowest months, winter and summer, usually mean lower rates from contractors because the demand is lower. Your installation can save you a bundle by scheduling on either of those times
These tips are guaranteed to save homeowners money on shower installation while keeping it all orderly and stylish.
Final Words
Different cost components of shower installations will determine whether the installation will be on a lower or higher price spectrum. The main determinant of the final cost of shower installation will consist of shower sizes, types, and materials used. Shop around for quotes before settling.
Always think about upfront costs when planning a shower installation and the costs they incur to make room for plumbing or other changes. This will make the whole process cheaper and more efficient.
FAQS
Q1. How much does it cost to install a shower?
A new shower would typically cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,733 and $11,173 in total. shower size, type of shower installed, place of installation, and materials used all add up to different factors in the installation price.
Q2. How long does a plumber take to install a shower?
A professional plumber will complete the installation within 1-3 days for a new shower. The actual time may take longer depending upon the complexity involved and whether some plumbing or even structural work may be required.
Q3. How much does it cost to waterproof a shower?
Waterproofing of a shower would cost approximately between $500 and $2,000. The price depends on the materials used and the area size of the shower.
Q4. Why is it so expensive to replace a shower?
Replacing a shower is expensive because labor is costly, as well as the materials and changing plumbing. Custom work, expensive materials, and the necessity for demolition or additional plumbing will increase the cost.
