How Much a Shower Remodel Costs in 2026, from Prefab to Custom Walk-Ins

Shower remodel cost breakdown by shower type

When you set out to remodel your shower, you’ll also need to choose between one of the following shower types, which can greatly impact your spend:

Prefabricated shower (average cost: $700-$3,000)

A prefabricated shower is one that has been manufactured in bulk at a factory and is usually made of three materials: plastic, Gelcoat fiberglass, and acrylic. Prefab units come in standard widths and are easier to install than custom units as your contractor needs only to assemble it, rather than tile it from scratch.

Prefab units are also durable with watertight construction, and ideal for DIYers. However, prefab showers are more limited than tile when it comes to color and design, and you’ll want to make sure the unit will fit through your door before you order it.

Classic tub-shower combination ($6,500 to $16,000)

You see the tub-shower combo in a lot of family homes — it’s great for giving the kids a bath, but also works seamlessly for daily showers. The average cost to install a new tub is $5,712. If you’re retiling the surrounding shower, expect to pay an additional $280–$875 on average.

Custom walk-in shower (average cost: $6,000-$12,000)

Walk-in showers built custom for a space will be pricier than a prefab shower. You can spend more or less on this project depending on the materials you select and how much customization you want. Angi provides the following cost breakdown for different kinds of custom walk-in shower renovations:

Acrylic walk-in: $500-$2,000
Fiberglass walk-in: $400-$2,000
Tile walk-in: $2–$17 per sq. ft.
Marble walk-in: $10–$35 per sq. ft.
Walk-in with cultured granite or other natural stones: $40–$65 per sq. ft.

If you need to remove an old tub to make way for the walk-in (common for custom tub-to-shower conversions), you’ll pay between $50 and $100 for removal and $250 on average for cleanup.

Cost breakdown of materials

Here’s how much homeowners can expect to spend on individual materials for their shower remodel:

Shower doors

Unless you choose a premade kit, you’ll have to select a shower door separately. Once again, price ranges are largely based on material and custom versus premade alternatives:

• Framed doors cost around $300–$1,200 on average. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to come by, but the framing around the glass can take away the overall design of the shower.
• Sliding doors cost between $700 and $2,000, and they’re easy to find and install. However, the sliding mechanism means one part of the shower is always blocked, even with the door open. In a small shower, this might make people feel claustrophobic.
• French doors are more expensive ($900 to $1,200 on average) since they’re custom made. However, the door opens fully, making a small shower feel more expansive.
• Frameless doors are most popular right now, says Mary Stewart, a Houston, Texas area real estate agent with 46 years of experience in the business. She explains: “It used to be that you couldn’t get one for less than $2,500, since they’re often made to order. Prices have gone down a bit. Lowe’s and Home Depot sell pretty nice looking ones for about $1,000.”

Tiling

The average cost to retile a shower is $25 per square foot, and the homeowner can expect to pay $2,700 for a new tile shower. Standard shower sizes range from 32 x 32 inches to 36 x 36 inches for an accessible shower.

Consider using ceramic or porcelain tiles in the shower — both are more durable and absorb moisture well.

“We use a lot of porcelain tiles [in showers],” explains Lauren Ahrens, one half of the Austin Flipsters. The pair counts over 285,000 subscribers on YouTube. “Porcelain looks like marble but much more affordable and easier to maintain.”

Fixtures

To ensure the longevity of your shower remodel, replace your shower pan. The shower pan lives on the entire floor of the shower under the tiling. Its sloped surface ensures proper drainage and the PVC liner below the cement keeps moisture from seeping any deeper. Ready-made pans cost between $150 to $600, and a custom pan built on-site for a uniquely built shower will cost at least $900.

Showerhead

Showering can feel like a spa retreat, thanks to showerheads with rainfall features. Make your shower remodel feel extra luxe with a dual shower system ($905), or a more budget-friendly wall mount rainfall shower head for $100.

“Now they have these new showerheads that come from the ceiling,” explains Stewart. She’s seeing more buyers react positively to this modern shower trend. American Standard’s $294 ceiling mount rainfall showerhead is a bestseller at Home Depot.

You might be taking on your remodel purely for personal quality of life, but don’t “over improve for the market,” suggests Ahrens. “We always recommend checking out other updated properties on the market to get an idea of what your house would sell for if updated.”

Related labor costs

According to HomeAdvisor, labor accounts for between 40% to 65% of a home remodel project. In the case of shower remodels, labor costs can skew higher: You’ll not only need to call in a plumber but also an electrician and tiling specialist to ensure you’re getting work that’s beautiful — and up to code.

Plumbing work

HomeAdvisor estimates the cost of hiring a plumber for a shower remodel costs anywhere between $45 to $200 per hour. This includes replacing fixtures.

Professional tiling

On average, bathroom tile costs $25 per square foot to install when using a professional. Tiling a standalone ceramic shower will cost between $10 and $25 per square foot, but retiling will factor in the cost of old tile removal at $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.

Hauling of current fixtures

Demolishing a bathroom costs $1,000 to $2,300, so hauling away the current shower fixture will trend on the lower end. You can hire a contractor to do this on their own, or save a few bucks in hourly pay by assisting. If you’re an experienced DIY-er, you might even feel comfortable doing this on your own.

Water damage

To avoid future mold and moisture issues, it’s best to call in a professional for waterproofing. Remediating mold in the bathroom averages $500 to $1,000, but significant water damage could lead to restoration costs closer to $8,000.

Permits

In most areas, something as simple as changing out a toilet will require a permit. A permit will run anywhere between $100 to $1,000, depending on locality.

Does a shower remodel increase home value?

A shower remodel is an important part of any significant bathroom renovation. However, if you are upgrading the shower without refreshing any of the other bathroom features, make sure you won’t be creating a mismatched look.

“I’ve never, in all my years said, ‘Oh, y’all need to remodel the shower,’” says Stewart. In her experience, homebuyers tend to ask why the remodeler stopped at the shower, if the rest of the bathroom appears old-fashioned.

“Once your shower is updated it may make the rest of your space look even more dated than it did before,” Ahrens echoes.

There’s also a catch when it comes to budget. Skimping on materials or labor could lead to more costs in the long run. Swapping out a dated prefab for a new one won’t necessarily add value. “They can be really tacky looking and cheap,” Stewart explains; buyers don’t always like them.

Looking to cut costs with DIY projects? If plumbing isn’t properly installed, or if the enclosure isn’t waterproofed, you run the risk of serious water damage.

Return on investment (ROI) for shower remodels

Investing in a shower remodel can significantly enhance your home’s appeal and market value. On average, a bath remodel, including a shower upgrade, offers an ROI of approximately 42%-80%, depending on your location and the quality of materials used. Beyond monetary value, a remodeled shower can improve functionality and aesthetics, making your home more attractive to potential buyers. 

If you’re thinking of a slightly higher ROI, consider a midrange bath remodel. This has the highest ROI among bath-related remodels, according to JLC’s Cost vs. Value report for 2025. A midrange bath remodel typically costs $26,138, with an 80% ROI.

How to maximize the value of your shower remodel

Motivation to remodel the shower might be purely personal, but certain design choices or projects can maximize the value of this project when it comes time for resale:

• Don’t ditch every tub.
  If you’re considering swapping out your home’s single bathtub for a spa shower, think twice. “You always should leave a bathtub somewhere in the house because sometimes there’s going to be people, like me, who only take a bath,” advises Stewart. Similarly, shower-only homes can be a turn off for families with children or pets who regularly use the tub.
• Go big.
  Make the shower as large as space allows. “The bigger the better when it comes to showers especially in the master bathroom,” says Ahrens. “We do a lot of glass enclosures — it makes the shower feel even bigger and gives it that modern look many buyers are after.”
• Add built-in niches.
  In her flips, Ahrens notices buyers appreciating the little touches in the shower. “We love to add custom niches to our showers — a great spot to store shampoo and other essentials. If you’re retiling your shower anyway, consider adding built-in niches to avoid the dreaded shower caddy or bath rack.”
• Select on-trend fixtures.
  Rich jewel tones add a bold touch to an open, minimalist shower stall. If you’re looking for a vintage touch, brass fittings and clawfoot baths are making a comeback.

Renovating your shower: Worth it for you!

According to one Houzz study of over 1,737 respondents, homeowners are transforming their bathrooms into spaces for self-care and rejuvenation, and 65% of renovators highlight the need for spacious showers. HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights for Q3 2025 also reveal that an updated kitchen and bathroom is among the top features buyers want most in a home today.

If you’ve got the time and budget for a shower remodel, you’ll likely enjoy the upgrade for years to come — and possibly recoup your renovation investment when it’s time to sell!

Header Image Source: (Castorly Stock / Pexels)