Prefab, tile or custom: the choice that sets the price
| Shower type | Installed price |
|---|---|
| Prefab stall (acrylic or fiberglass) | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Tub–shower combination unit | $2,000–$7,000 |
| Replace the shower pan only | $900–$2,500 |
| Tiled walk-in shower | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Custom or curbless shower | $8,000–$25,000 |
- Prefab stalls are acrylic or fiberglass kits sized to the opening. They install in one to two days and need no tile work, which keeps labor low.
- Tiled walk-in showers take about five to ten days, and the waterproofing under the tile decides how long it lasts.
- Custom and curbless showers cost the most and vary the most: the range is wide on purpose, because "custom" covers very different scopes.
Converting a tub to a shower
Replacing a tub with a shower adds the cost of removing the tub, about $200–$500, and preparing the opening. Angi puts tub-to-shower conversions anywhere from about $800 to $15,000, so get the shower type pinned down before comparing quotes.
Only the pan failed?
If the walls are sound and only the base has leaked or cracked, replacing just the shower pan is far cheaper than a full tear-out: about $900–$2,500 for a drop-in acrylic or fiberglass pan. A hand-built tiled pan with a proper mortar bed and liner costs more. This estimate rests on a single source, so confirm it with a local quote.
Extra costs to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Glass door or enclosure | $500–$3,500 | Frameless glass is at the top of the range |
| Remove an existing tub | $200–$500 | Tub-to-shower conversions |
| Demolish and haul away the old shower | $400–$1,200 | Some quotes already include it |
| Framing, backer board and waterproofing | $800–$2,200 | Tiled showers |
Moving plumbing is a major price driver. Cost guides name moving plumbing among the biggest price movers, but none of those we reviewed gives a price for it, so ask for it as its own line item.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is this a prefab kit or a tiled build, and what waterproofing system is used?
- Is the glass door, fixture package and old-shower demolition included?
- Will the drain or supply lines need to move?
- How long will the bathroom be out of use?
- What does the warranty cover on the pan, walls and waterproofing?
Methodology and sources
We price each shower type as an installed total in the existing footprint, adjust the labor share for your state's plumber wages (plumbers are the lead trade we use, though shower projects also involve tile setters and carpenters), and price extras separately. Read how we estimate costs.
- This Old House: shower remodel cost and tub-to-shower conversion
- Angi: walk-in shower cost and tub-to-shower conversion
- EstimationPro: shower remodel calculator — glass doors, tub removal, timelines
- Oakwood Remodel: replacing a fiberglass shower — pans, demolition, waterproofing
- The Renology: tub-to-shower conversion cost — curbless showers
- Coulston Construction: walk-in shower cost — contractor pricing
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2152, Plumbers) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| This Old House |
|
| This Old House (via The Renology) |
|
| EstimationPro |
|
| Oakwood Remodel |
|
| This Old House | tiled walk-in conversions $6,000-$12,000 |
| Angi |
|
| Coulston Construction | semi-custom tile $8,000-$15,000; full custom with frameless glass $15,000-$25,000 or more |
| Angi | prefab shower inserts cost $400-$2,000 as a unit against installed prices of $2,000-$6,000, so labor and installation make up most of the total |
Common questions about shower installation costs
How much does shower installation cost?
A typical job (prefab stall) comes to about $3,500 nationally, within a range of $2,000 to $6,000. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
How much does a walk-in shower installation cost?
A tiled walk-in shower comes to about $6,000–$12,000 installed. A custom curbless shower runs about $8,000–$25,000 for the shower itself, and a prefab stall about $2,000–$6,000.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 8 published cost pages from 6 publishers, last checked Sep 30, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 8 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.
- This Old House: prefabricated shower stall with installation $3,000-$6,000
- This Old House (via The Renology): prefab stall conversion $2,000-$6,000
- EstimationPro: prefab acrylic or fiberglass insert $1,200-$4,500 installed
- Oakwood Remodel: drop-in acrylic or fiberglass pan about $900-$2,500 installed, far cheaper than a full tear-out when the walls are sound
- This Old House: tiled walk-in conversions $6,000-$12,000
- Angi: walk-in shower installation $6,000-$12,000
- Coulston Construction: semi-custom tile $8,000-$15,000; full custom with frameless glass $15,000-$25,000 or more
- Angi: prefab shower inserts cost $400-$2,000 as a unit against installed prices of $2,000-$6,000, so labor and installation make up most of the total