Walk-in showers have become popular for good reason. They fit into just about any bathroom, they can increase your home’s value, and they contribute to an open look and feel. But just how much do they cost? In this guide, we will break down a typical walk-in shower cost based on the size you choose, where it will go, and more.
What to Know About a Walk-in Shower
A walk-in shower is exactly what it sounds like: a shower that you can simply walk into. This style is the exact opposite of a step-in shower, which refers to any shower where there is a large threshold you need to step over to get into, like designs that include a shower over a bathtub. You can read more about them in our guide to walk-in showers.
How Much Does a Walk-in Shower Cost?
The national average walk-in shower installation cost is $7,500. However, the typical range of walk-in shower prices is about $3,170 to $11,495. That’s a wide range, so let’s look at what will determine your own project cost.
Walk in Shower Installation
Average Installation Cost $3,170 - $11,475
Cost Breakdown
- Materials 91.5%
- Labor 8.5%
How Do These Costs Break Down?
Materials, as you can see above, make up most of the cost of a walk-in shower. The thick glass needed along with any floor or wall treatments will comprise a significant portion of your project cost. The size of your shower, whether it is brand new or a remodel, and labor rates in your area will also play an important role in your final walk-in shower price.
A smaller shower with an acrylic base and a glass half-wall will put you on the low end of the cost spectrum while a larger shower with a custom tile base and a full glass wall and glass door will put you on the higher end.
Keep in mind that if you need bathroom demolition done, such as removing an old tub or shower, your costs will go up.
You can use our Shower Remodel Cost Calculator to get an estimate for your new walk-in shower based on your specific remodeling plans.
Remodeling vs New Walk-in Shower Installation: Cost Difference
- If you have a walk-in shower already and are not changing where it is located in your bathroom, then your project costs will largely be predictable. You can calculate shower tile square footage for the walls and floors and price out shower door types (if you want a door, of course).
- On the other hand, installing a new walk-in shower will likely involve demolition of your existing shower or tub, may require changes to your plumbing, and will mean installing new shower glass in addition to the above.
Materials and Considerations
Regardless of whether you are remodeling or installing new, you should consider the following elements in your budget.
- Walk-in shower base. This will be the floor of your shower. If you are on a budget, choose a pre-fabricated walk-in shower pan to keep costs low. Custom walk-in showers usually have a tile floor.
- Floor and wall tile. In addition to the difference in costs between various tiles, there are a variety of tile patterns and sizes that are considered easier or harder to install. The more difficult the installation, the more it will cost.
- Shower screen. A shower screen is the fixed glass panel that helps to contain water. You can choose a half-glass shower wall, a full glass shower panel, or to have a completely open shower.
Walk-in Shower Dimensions
In addition to impacting cost, your walk-in shower size will also determine how much tile you need, if you have room for a shower bench, and more.
Standard Walk-In Shower Size
- 36 inches by 48 inches.
Another common size is 36 inches square, which is more compact but still offers enough space for a comfortable shower experience. Either standard size has an average cost of about $7,000, right in line with the national average.
Small Walk-In Shower
- 32 inches square (32 inches by 32 inches) to 34 inches by 36 inches.
These sizes are often used in smaller bathrooms or as secondary showers in larger bathrooms. If you choose a pre-fab model, you can pay as little as 1k to about 3k. For a custom small walk-in shower, costs start at $3,000 and go up to as much as $5,000.
Large Walk-In Shower
- 48 inches by 60 inches or larger.
Some custom walk-in showers can be even larger, taking up a significant portion of the bathroom. Sizes like 60 inches by 60 inches or larger are not uncommon in spacious bathrooms. For these bigger showers, prices start at $9,000 and can exceed $12,000.
You can read more about standard shower sizes in our guide.
Walk-in Shower Types
The type of shower you choose as well as its location will impact your price, too.
Pre-fab or Custom?
- A pre-fabricated walk-in shower will be significantly less expensive than a custom shower. Prices start at just $1,000.
- A custom shower will be more expensive, though also more tailored to your style and needs. Prices start at about $3,000.
Shower Location
Where your shower is going will help determine how much glass you need. Glass is the majority of the materials cost for most walk-in shower projects, so this is a good area to reduce price where possible.
- A corner walk-in shower tends to be smaller, bringing the price down. It also usually requires only a minimal amount of glass to block splashes and leaks.
- A niche shower goes into an existing space/cut-out in the bathroom. Prices here be quite low depending on how closed off you want it. A mostly or completely open shower will be cheapest, while a closed off niche and/or a door will make it much pricier.
- A standalone walk-in shower will almost certainly require at least one glass wall to protect the rest of your bathroom from water. How much glass you want and how closed off you want the shower to be will help determine your project price.
Walk-in Shower Material Costs
If you go prefab, fiberglass walk-in showers are an especially popular choice among homeowners, and their cost is significantly less. They start at around $900 and top-of-the-line kits reach about $2,500.
If you’re going custom, you can get a stone walk-in shower, tile the floors and walls, and decide from many door and doorless entry options. The floor and wall materials you choose will make up a big portion of your project costs.
Natural stone, marble, and other high-end materials are at the top of the price range, glass tile falls in the middle, and porcelain and ceramic tile tends to be cheapest. However, even cheaper tiles can eat up a large part of your budget, so measure how much shower tile you need carefully to determine how much you can spend per square foot.
Walk-in Shower Doors: Are They Expensive?
Short answer? Yes, walk-in shower doors tend to be an expensive project addition.
If you are looking for areas to cut costs, foregoing a door will make a difference to your bottom line. If you are less concerned about budget, then you can choose from some of these popular options:
- Sliding.
- Pivot or hinge.
- Frameless, semi-frameless, or framed.
You can explore our shower doors guide to see all the options available to you.
Next Steps for Getting a Walk-in Shower
Now that you know what goes into a walk-in shower budget, you might be ready for quotes. We recommend getting quotes from three to four contractors to find the best price for your shower project. You can start by browsing our contractor directory to find bathroom remodel pros in your area.
Not sure a walk-in shower is in your budget? Check out our shower remodel guide to narrow in on your other options. There are seven types of showers, so you have plenty of options to find something that you love that fits in your price range.
If you’d like to streamline the process of finding pros or deciding on shower types or getting quotes, we can help. Modernize can match you with up to four pre-vetted contractors we love who could be a great fit for your project. Click below to get started by answering a few questions.
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