How Much Does a Walk-in Shower Cost?

A walk-in shower is an excellent option for smaller homes that need to conserve as much space as possible. These additions to the bathroom can also be a good choice for a second bathroom or a guest bathroom, giving residents and guests an extra place to wash up.

While standard tub and shower combos are ideal for bathing young children, a walk-in shower may be more appealing for individuals with mobility issues, because they do not need to step over the side of a tub to enter the shower space.

Homeowners will pay about $700 to $14,000 for the installation of a new walk-in shower. This works out to about $6,700,on average. Find out more about how much a walk-in shower costs.

Walk-in Shower Cost Factors

Installing a walk-in shower can be relatively simple with a prefabricated shower kit and a rough-in bathroom with the necessary plumbing connections. However, not every home has the same setup.

Size

One of the most straightforward cost factors is the size of the shower. The larger the shower, the more material and time it will take to complete, increasing the overall cost of the project. The average walk-in shower size measures about 60 inches by 30 inches, though the size of a shower can vary.

Users that want a larger shower may opt for a 60-inch by 42-inch model, while those that want a square-shaped shower may choose a 42-inch by 42-inch design. Smaller walk-in shower models are also available at 36-inches by 36-inches in size for about $800 to $1,200. These small models are good for narrow bathrooms, though they can feel a bit cramped. Oversize walk-in showers measuring 60 inches by 72 inches will cost more at about $1,800 to $7,000.

Type

There are two main types of walk-in shower, including prefabricated showers and custom showers. As indicated by the name, prefabricated showers are essentially a shower kit that includes a shell or shower stall structure. These walk-in showers are inexpensive, relatively easy to install, and typically come in standard shower sizes, so you can choose the right prefab kit for the bathroom.

Custom walk-in showers cost about $1,800 to $6,800, depending on the size, shape, and style of shower. The cost of a custom shower increases based on the design, so if you want to keep the cost low, select more affordable materials.

Materials

The materials that are used to construct the shower will influence the overall cost of the project due to the individual costs associated with the various material options, including tile, marble, cultured granite, Corian, acrylic, and fiberglass.

High-end materials, like marble or culture granite, will rapidly increase the cost of the shower installation, though these materials have a significant advantage in durability and aesthetic appearance. Consider which material is best for the bathroom and for the budget before starting this project.

Labor

Some avid DIYers may have the skills, knowledge, and experience to install a prefabricated walk-in shower, or even design and construct a custom walk-in shower for the home. However, in most cases, the homeowner will need to hire a contractor to complete the walk-in shower installation.

Contractors will typically charge an hourly labor rate for the work, though some may offer a flat fee for the walk-in shower installation. On average, the labor for a walk-in shower project will cost about $400 to $2,000. Labor costs may increase depending on the complexity of the job.

Permits

Minor home renovations may not require a permit, but in most locations the contractor will need to secure a building permit for a new walk-in shower. The cost of a building permit varies depending on the scope of the project and the geographic location, though it will typically cost about $250 to $500. Speak to the contractor ahead of time to determine if they will be responsible for getting the permit or if you will need to apply for the permit before the project can start.

Prefab vs. Custom Walk-in Showers

There are two main types of walk-in showers: prefabricated shower kits, which come ready to install, as well as custom walk-in showers, which are constructed piece by piece according to the homeowner or contractor's design.

Prefabricated Walk-in Showers

Prefabricated shower kits are the best option for homeowners that want to keep the cost of this project low. On average, a prefabricated walk-in shower will cost about $700 to $3,000, though you can also find small, lightweight prefabricated shower models for as little as $300. These shower kits are generally made from fiberglass or acrylic, and are relatively easy to install with the appropriate rough-in plumbing.

Custom Walk-in Showers

A custom shower will cost more due to the increased cost of materials, as well as the additional time it will take to complete this project, which will drive up the cost of labor. On average, homeowners can expect to pay about $1,800 to $6,800 for the materials, though the total cost of this project will typically fall between $4,200 to $8,500 when labor is included.

Additional Walk-in Shower Costs

After taking into consideration the main cost factors, there are a few additional costs to consider when making the budget for this project, including conversion, demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, and accessibility features.

Conversion and Demolition Costs

If you are converting an existing bathtub into a walk-in shower, then the contractor will need to remove the tub, prepare the area, and custom design the tile and flooring for the space. The cost to convert a tub to a prefab walk-in shower typically ranges from about $1,000 to $8,000, while converting a cub to a custom walk-in shower costs about $3,500 to $15,000.

If the bathroom has an existing shower or the space is currently finished, the contractor will need to demolish the old shower, tile, and potentially the bathroom wall to make space for the new walk-in shower. This will cost about $50 to $100 to remove the old shower, $250 to get rid of construction debris, and about $300 to $1,000 if the contractor needs to remove a non-load-bearing wall.

Plumbing and Waterproofing

As long as the existing bathroom has the necessary plumbing connections for a new walk-in shower, plumbing costs are relatively inexpensive at about $600 to $1,600. However, if you are putting a new walk-in shower into a bathroom that previously had a bathtub or did not have a bath or shower, then the cost of rough-in plumbing can increase to as much as $7,000 on average.

Similarly, prefabricated showers don't need a lot of additional waterproofing before they are ready to use, but if you are installing a custom walk-in shower, then waterproofing will cost about $500 to $1,000 for a sheet membrane or about $50 to $800 for a liquid membrane. Adding a glass door to the shower can improve the aesthetic design, but it will also increase the cost by about $550 to $1,400, so weigh the benefits and costs carefully before selecting this luxury upgrade for the project.

Curbless Entrance and Other Accessibility Features

One of the main benefits of a walk-in shower is that individuals with mobility issues are able to enter the shower with limited effort. However, most prefabricated showers will still come with a seven-inch shower curb, which can pose a problem for some individuals. Investing in a curbless walk-in shower can be an effective way to avoid this issue, though a custom shower pan will typically cost about $900 to $4,000.

Similarly, if you need to create a wider shower door entryway, install grab bars for assistance, or add seating inside the shower, the overall cost of the walk-in shower installation will increase. Even moving the knobs, shower head, and faucet closer to the door for better access can drive up the cost of this project, though it may be worth the expensive to make showering easier and more welcoming to those with accessibility issues.

DIY vs. Professional Walk-in Shower Installation

Installing a walk-in shower is a time consuming project that isn't easy for new or inexperienced DIYers. However, with plumbing, tiling, and waterproofing experience and skill, an avid DIYer could tackle this installation project. This is especially true if the homeowner decides to invest in a prefabricated walk-in shower, which comes ready to be installed.

Custom walk-in showers are more difficult to install, and may require the help of a professional contractor. Hiring a contractor to complete this job will add about $400 to $2,000 in labor costs to the total project budget, but it's typically worth the investment to get a clean, finished product installed by a knowledgeable, experienced professional.

Ways to Save on Walk-in Shower Cost

One method of saving money on your walk-in shower is to use an inexpensive prefabricated shower kit instead of installing a custom walk-in shower.

DIYers with some experience may be able to reduce the labor cost by DIYing simple parts of the project, like shower demolition. Opting for low-cost materials like acrylic, fiberglass, or porcelain tiles can also keep the cost of the project low. Similarly, if you are set on a custom shower, consider purchasing a manufactured shower pan to cut down on the amount of material and time it will take to complete the job.