How Much Does It Cost to Install a Shower per Square Foot?
The standard walk-in shower is approximately 32 by 32 inches. If you use a prefabricated shower without a door, expect to pay around $1,150 for installation and materials. This would bring the cost per square foot to around $210.
You also have the option of adding a shower to an existing bathtub. This requires removing the existing tub to put in an option that can support both. So if you’ve wanted to get a bigger tub, you can now have the best of both bathing worlds.
The average cost to install a tub shower is around $3,000. If the standard tub-shower combo is 30 by 60 inches, then you’re looking at paying around $240 per square foot.
Shower Installation Cost Breakdown
There are a few different factors that will affect the overall cost of your shower installation—and the cost of the actual shower is just a small piece of it. You’ll also need to account for things like demolition and permits. Here’s how the costs break down.
Type of Shower
The type of shower can dramatically impact the price of the job. A tiled walk-in shower can cost anywhere from $4,200 to $8,500. Prefabricated showers, which are typically plastic, can save you some money. The shower insert—which usually comes as a part of a kit—costs as little as $300.
Materials
High-end materials will increase the overall shower installation cost. Tile can cost anywhere from $2 to $17 per square foot, while cultured marble costs anywhere from $42 to $64 per square foot. If you opt for a fiberglass or acrylic insert, you’ll spend anywhere from $400 to $2,000.
Demolition, Prep, and Cleanup
If you’re replacing your existing shower, you’ll need to remove your old shower. Removal typically costs $50 to $100, but it could cost more if you need to demolish walls and remove and replace pipes. You’ll also have to spend around $250 for cleanup, which involves hauling away the construction debris.
Location
If you’re installing a new shower into a half-bath area, you may pay $600 to $12,500 because of the need for new plumbing, walls, and fixtures.
If you’re starting from the ground up by completely adding in a new room, adding a bathroom costs around $15,000 on average.
Permits
Most states require a permit for extensive renovations, especially if they involve plumbing work. Depending on the project, you may need building and plumbing permits. Each permit costs around $250, depending on the city and state.
Cost to Install a Shower by Type
Some people want only a shower, some want a tub-shower combo, and others might want a full-on steam shower that doubles as a home sauna. However you prefer to get clean, here’s what you can expect to pay.
Walk-in Shower
While the average walk-in shower is 32 by 32 inches, you can customize this size to your liking. You can even have a shower that’s half your bathroom! Or maybe you’re operating on a very limited amount of space and need as tiny a shower as possible while still being comfortable and functional.
You’ll also need to consider the cost of tiling a shower (if you don’t install a prefab unit) or special features, such as a rainfall showerhead. With these considerations in mind, expect a walk-in shower's final price to be around $4,200 or more.
Tub-Shower Combo
A tub-shower combo is perfect for those who want to soak after a long day of work. Like the walk-in shower, you can customize a tub-shower combo to have special features such as jets for the tub or a door rather than a curtain for privacy. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $8,500.
Steam Shower
A steam shower offers the luxe feeling of a spa without having to leave the house. These showers create warm steam to help you get your sweat on. The cost of a steam shower is typically around $4,350, and you’re likely going to be limited to a walk-in version.
Accessibility Showers
Accessibility showers offer a helping hand when it comes to entering the shower as well as having some stability while you clean off. The cost of showers with accessibility features typically runs around $600 extra compared to a regular shower. This includes the installation of a grab bar and bench.
Costs of Shower Materials
While there are plenty of prefabricated showers out there, you can customize a shower to your liking. You can opt to put your own ceramic tiles in that fit your aesthetic or maybe you simply want a bathtub and shower liner that goes over the existing one.
Shower Tiles
Shower tiles can range anywhere from $1,800 to $6,850. This comes down to the type of material you want to use. Ceramic tiles start at $0.50 per square foot, while natural stone tiles can cost as much as $15 per square foot.
Shower Pan
Shower pan replacement costs $530 to $2,700. If you’re converting a tub to a shower or installing a new shower, you will need to install a shower pan. They come in various materials that will impact your final costs, with fiberglass starting at $150 and tiled shower pans costing as much as $3,500.
Bathtub and Shower Liner
A bathtub and shower liner simply goes over the existing fixture and takes less time and effort than completely gutting the area and installing something new, though your liner options are pretty limited. On average, the cost of installing a shower and tub liner is around $3,400.
Keep in mind that while this usually only replaces the tub portion of the shower, it can still make it feel as if you’re stepping into a new shower.
Custom Jets
There are plenty of prefabricated options for jetted showers, which tack on an extra $900 on average to the final price of installation. But if you want custom areas installed, you’re looking at spending upwards of $1,000 extra on top of the initial $900 in labor and materials to route the plumbing correctly.
Custom Drainage
Maybe you don’t want a simple hole for drainage and want something more elegant that speaks to your style. Like jets, replacing the shower drain requires custom plumbing which can tack on an extra $750 to $1,250 in labor and material costs.
Accessories
Items such as a door, showerhead, tub faucet, and even the bathroom fan can really be the final cherry on top of your new shower.
For showerheads, the common options on the market include:
Full body: $600
Rainfall: $90
Handheld: $100
High-pressure: $75
Adjustable-pressure: $200
Adding in a door will cost around $550 on average. If you know your bathroom fan needs an upgrade, it’ll cost you an extra $400 as well.
Replacement and Disposal
If this new shower is replacing an old one or going in where a tub used to, that old material needs to go somewhere else. To remove the old unit, clear debris, and prepare the surface for the new tub, expect to pay around $750 extra.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Shower Yourself?
The only time you should really install a shower yourself is if you’re installing a shower or tub liner or a prefab shower kit. Installing a liner yourself is typically only around $500 for the liner, caulking, adhesive, and sealer.
A shower installer and plumber should handle any other project. Not all shower installers are licensed plumbers, so you should contact a plumber in your area to prep them for your upcoming project.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
While you might feel compelled to save a few hundred bucks with a DIY job, it’s never a good idea to mess with your home’s plumbing unless you really know what you’re doing. In fact, you may not even be granted a permit. All in all, repairing damage from an improper installation can cost more than just hiring a pro—especially if there’s significant water damage.
Labor
Professional labor typically adds $400 to $2,000 to the shower installation cost. To ensure you’re getting the best quotes, contact at least three different shower installers near you. The final cost of labor will depend on the scope of the project, as more customizations and limited space will make the job more time-consuming.
How Much Does Shower Installation Cost Near You?
While the cost of living will play a major factor in the labor costs, the final cost of installation will come down to the size and design of the shower. That’s why someone in a New York apartment may pay less than someone in a house in Minnesota—If you’re working on a tight space budget, then you can only go for what’s available.
Common shower installation prices throughout the U.S. include:
California: $3,650
Texas: $4,250
Florida: $2,900
Colorado: $4,400
Michigan: $4,600
New York: $3,600
Minnesota: $5,000
Massachusetts: $4,450
