Shower Replacement Cost
Bathroom remodels are one of the best projects to ensure a good return on you investment. However, bathroom remodels are rarely as simple as they appear on the surface. Ripping out an old tub or shower often involves new tiling and new fixtures. It can also involve reworking the existing plumbing if your new shower design is a different size or shape than your previous one.
A professional shower replacement costs between $1100 and $5100, with the average being around $3100. Below is a breakdown of cost depending on how extensive your remodel is.
Types of Shower Replacements
Simple and Inexpensive Shower Remodel Ideas
Some bathrooms do not need a massive overhaul to bring them up to date. New fixtures and replacing a worn out shower pan are inexpensive ways to improve the look and feel of your bathroom. Shower pans cost around $100 on average, with fancier stone-imitation pans costing around $500. Shower heads range from $20 to $300 depending on how many settings it comes with.
Another simple way to improve your shower experience is to add customizable shelving. This gives you much needed storage for soap, shampoo, razors, and so on. An easy solution is to install a shower caddy. Shower caddies are designed to fit in the corner of your shower and use tension poles to stay upright. These are economical and cost about $12 to $20. If you want a more elegant storage solution, recessed shelving costs around $100. These types of shelves create a niche in the wall so you can store your shower items without losing space within the shower itself.
Upgrading or adding a shower fan is another quick fix for your shower. In general, codes require showers to have exhaust fans. However, if your shower has a window sometimes a fan is not required. That being said, having a fan does wonders for keeping your bathroom mold-free. Upgrading an old, worn out fan costs around $30 to $60. A new fan costs around $200, but you should let a professional install it to ensure is it done right.
Extensive Shower Remodel Ideas
There are two types of shower remodels: replacing an existing shower or converting a tub/shower combination into a walk-in shower. The latter is only suggested if you have at least one other full bathtub in your home. Not having at least one bathtub will hurt your home’s resale value.
If you are only replacing your existing shower stall, this will run you around $400. The installation will cost roughly the same. However, if you are converting a tub/shower combination into a walk in shower or if you are completely gutting your existing shower your costs will be much more. For example, shower replacement for an existing stall does not involve moving the plumbing as it would for converting a tub/shower combination into a walk-in shower.
Whichever type of shower replacement you are undertaking, there are a few design elements you will need to consider. Standalone showers require more tiles than tub/shower combinations as the tiles can be taken from the floor all the way to the ceiling. Ceramic tiles come in a variety of colors and designs. Standard tiles cost around $1.30 per square foot. However, the more intricate and customized the tiles, the more they will cost.
You will also need to determine what style glass you want for your shower door. There are a variety of options that for the most part serve aesthetic purposes. Clear glass will allow in the most light, but frosted and rain glass are much better at concealing water stains and fingerprints. Standard sliding shower doors cost anywhere from $100 to $300 and another $200 to $300 for installation. Upgraded shower doors such as frameless corner shower doors will cost quite a bit more—up to $5000.
Final Shower Replacement Cost
Your final costs will be determined by your budget as well as how extensive your renovation plans are. A simple bathroom refresh can be done on a small budget for around $1100 while complete remodels will cost quite a bit more at $5100 and up. No matter how modest or grand your renovation plans, updating your shower almost always adds value to your home.
