How Much Does Shower Installation Cost? (2025)

Many pieces go into a shower installation, so it’s important to break down each part to get a good idea of what you might spend. Below are some of the most common cost factors you’ll encounter with a shower installation project.

By Shower Type

Your shower type plays an important role in the cost of your shower installation, with prices ranging from $250 to $9,500. A simple walk-in shower costs the least, while high-end steam shower and tub combos cost the most. See how each type of shower differs in cost below, with material costs for the shower encasement and base.

By Size

The average shower size is 60-by-30 inches or 12.5 square feet. Since the average new shower installation costs $6,600 with installation and materials, this puts the average price at around $525 per square foot.

Shower Head and Faucet

Purchasing a showerhead and faucet set will cost you anywhere from $50 to $1,000 depending on the material and style, with most faucets falling around the $200 mark. High-end, full-body shower faucet systems cost the most, while simple high-pressure systems cost the least.

By Shower Material Type

Expect to pay anywhere between $150 and $2,900 for a standard prefabricated alcove shower wall depending on the material. The most common material types for showers include acrylic, fiberglass and polystyrene. Which one you choose could mean the difference between thousands of dollars. Composite or fiberglass shower installation costs the most, polystyrene costs the least and acrylic falls somewhere in between.

With this in mind, below is a breakdown of prefab shower kits by material type.

Tile Installation

Installing tile on your shower walls is an optional decorative decision that will cost you an additional $300 to $6,000. Different tiles range from $1 to $45 per square foot, so the square footage of your shower and the type of tile material largely affect the cost of bathroom tiles. Natural stone tiles cost the most, while ceramic and vinyl tiles cost the least.

Labor

After you’ve budgeted for material costs, you may be surprised by how labor costs take up a huge chunk of your shower installation. Plumbers charge between $50 and $120 per hour on average. Most shower installations take between two and five days, meaning you should plan on spending between $800 and $4,800 in labor costs alone.

By Shower Components

Beyond the prefab or custom shower wall panels, you also have several parts of a shower you’ll need, ranging from $2 to $1,300, to add up to the cost of a shower installation. Among each material type, you’ll find many price disparities, making it important for you to look up each material and compare costs as you budget. For example, if you shop for a shower pan, you’ll find that ABS plastic shower pans tend to cost the least, while natural stone shower pans cost the most.

Be sure to look at the following shower components and the materials they’re made from to lock in on economical prices.

By Location

Where you’re installing your shower impacts the total cost, too. If you’re converting a bathtub into a shower, you may already have many of the plumbing and fixtures installed. If, however, you’re converting a half bathroom into a full bathroom that needs new plumbing, you’ll need to factor in the cost of hiring a plumber in addition to the cost of installing the new shower.

Permits

Permits for installing a shower cost between $50 and $1,000 depending on the amount of work needed and your state and local requirements.

Prep and Post-Project Cleanup

If you need to first remove your existing shower or bathtub, this could cost around $50 to $100 on average. Clean-up and junk removal cost an extra $225 if you hire a professional haul-away service.

The above cost factors aren’t the only things to keep in mind when you are installing a shower. You may need to install additional features, or you may end up wanting to customize your shower. Here’s how these extras might increase the cost to replace a shower cost.

Bathroom Fan Installation

The average bathroom fan costs around $250, but prices can go as low as $20 and as high as $625 depending on the bathroom fan size and if you install it yourself or hire a pro. Bathroom fans keep humidity from your newly installed shower from causing mold issues in the house and may be necessary if you don’t already have a fan installed in your bathroom.

Plumbing Installation

If you’re installing a shower in a location that doesn’t have existing plumbing, or you’re doing a tub-to-shower conversion and need new plumbing, then you’ll need to factor in plumbing costs. Since plumbers charge between $50 and $150 per hour on average, anticipate increased costs dependent on the complexity of the plumbing work.

For instance, a tub-to-shower conversion costs between $3,600 and $9,000 in total with added plumbing expenses.

Prefabricated Shower Kit vs. Custom Build

Purchasing individual parts for your shower can add up to far more than purchasing a prefab shower kit, which comes with everything you need to set up your shower. Shower kits cost anywhere from $250 to $2,900 for the materials, not including the installation.

Custom builds can still fall somewhere within the price range of a prefab shower kit, but if you need custom sizes, you’re much more likely to spend more on materials when you buy each piece individually or have it altered.

Starting prices for a custom build vary by supplier, with the cost to replace a shower enclosure and door increasing depending on the size and uniqueness.

Accessories

Premium, high-end accessories can significantly increase the cost of your shower installation. Remember, there is a wide selection of options when installing a shower, from simple shower curtains that cost just $10 to shower doors that can cost up to $1,400.

There are also plenty of available options for customizing a shower installation, from shower benches to door handles to towel racks to more

Installing a shower is a beneficial home improvement decision for many reasons, including the following:

• It can increase your home’s value. According to research by Opendoor, installing a full bathroom can increase your home’s value by around 5.7%.
• It’s easier to clean than a bathtub.
• You use less water by taking a shower.
• It’s safer than stepping into a bathtub.
• A new shower installation can add style to your bathroom.
• Shower faucet systems can transform your shower into a spa-like destination.

You could save anywhere between $800 and $4,800 by DIYing your shower installation and an additional $300 to $6,000 on the cost of hiring a tile contractor.

However, if you need new plumbing or don’t have experience installing showers, then you should consider hiring a local plumber. In some states, you may even need a license before installing new pipes or working with hot water. Check your local municipality’s permit guidelines to see if installing a shower yourself is an option.

How to Find a Plumber

Finding a plumber is a simple process that starts with asking friends and family for recommendations or going online and searching for plumbers near you. Always check online reviews for any plumbing company you have in mind to ensure the company is reputable.

Questions to Ask a Professional About Shower Installation

Once you’ve found at least three local plumbing companies, you’ll want to ask each one questions about their experience and the installation process to ensure they’re the right fit for the job. Here are a few questions to get you started:

• Where did you receive your training?
• Are you licensed with insurance and bonding?
• Do you have any references?
• Can I see proof of your general liability insurance?
• How long do you think this project will take?
• How much does a shower installation cost?
• Can I receive my estimate in writing?
• What is the payment plan?
• What other services do you offer?

A shower installation is one of those projects that can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are ways you can save on your shower installation that can help you avoid breaking the bank.

1. Choose a prefab shower.
2. Avoid unnecessary accessories.
3. Pick an economical material, like acrylic.
4. If you have the skills, install your shower yourself.
5. Skip the tile installation to cut costs.
6. Go for a shower curtain instead of a glass door.
7. Choose a walk-in shower or shower and bath combo.
8. Opt for a smaller shower size.
9. Keep an eye out for deals on materials.

To arrive at the average costs in this article, we surveyed 31 local and national cost databases. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.