Updated: February 7, 2025
Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.
To provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date cost figures, we gather information from a variety of pricing databases, licensed contractors, and industry experts.
The national average cost range to install a new walk-in shower is $8,000, and prices typically fall somewhere between $5,000 and $11,000, depending on your current shower, the materials you choose, and whether you go with a prefabricated or custom design. You could pay up to $20,000 or more for a custom 60” x 60” curbless walk-in shower with a seat, grab bars, tiled walls and floor, and a removable shower head on a sliding bar.
Quick Takeaways
The average cost to install a walk-in shower is around $8,000, but your total depends on the size and type of shower you want, as well as the materials you choose.
Going with a prefabricated shower body will save an average of around $5,000 over installing a custom walk-in shower.
Walk-in showers can provide an ROI of up to 75%, and they’re great for accessibility, especially for those with mobility issues.
Cost of a New Walk-In Shower
Price to Install a Walk-In Shower | |
National average cost | $8,000 |
Average range | $5,000–$11,000 |
Low-end cost | $3,000 |
High-end cost | $20,000 |
Prefab vs. Custom Walk-In Shower
One of the biggest cost factors you’ll need to consider is the type of shower you want: prefabricated or custom. A prefab shower is almost always going to cost less for the materials, and the installation process is much simpler, so labor costs will also be lower.
You could spend as little as $2,000 on a prefab shower, including materials and installation labor, whereas the minimum cost of a custom walk-in shower would be closer to $5,000.
Type | Walk-In Shower Installation Cost |
Prefab | $2,000 to $8,000 |
Custom | $5,000 to $20,000 |
Need some inspo? Check out our list of shower remodel ideas.
Average Price of a Walk-In Shower by Size
The size of your walk-in shower will affect both the material costs to cover the floor and walls in the shower area, as well as the labor cost to install everything, especially if you’re going with a custom tiled shower. On average, you can expect to pay around $300 per square foot for a prefab walk-in shower and closer to $600 per square foot for a custom one.
Shower Size (Inches) | Shower Installation Cost (Prefab) | Shower Installation Cost (Custom) |
36 x 36 | $2,700 | $5,400 |
36 x 42 | $3,150 | $6,300 |
36 x 48 | $3,600 | $7,200 |
36 x 60 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
48 x 48 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
48 x 60 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
60 x 60 | $7,500 | $15,000 |
60 x 72 | $9,000 | $18,000 |
Walk-In Shower Prices by Type
Walk-in showers can be configured in several ways to better fit your bathroom and needs, and the layout you choose will have an effect on your total shower cost.
When replacing an existing tub with a walk-in shower, you are most likely going to use an alcove installation, which features three walls and one side open for a curtain or glass door. This costs an average of $8,000, and it’s the most common option, as it creates a large shower and is also a common bathroom remodel for homeowners who no longer need a tub.
If you choose, you can also put your shower in the corner. Corner showers have a neo-angle pan that cuts across at 45º angles or a curved pan. If you choose a prefab unit, both are available with readymade doors and will cost an average of $4,000. They’re less expensive because they tend to be smaller than alcove showers, but that’s not always the case.
Most showers can also be curbless or barrier-free. This means the shower floor or shower pan is flush with the bathroom floor. A wheelchair user can roll straight into a larger curbless shower, while smaller units are easier for people with mobility or vision issues because there is no step or curb to enter the shower. Many barrier-free showers also include seats in the design. Opting for curbless or barrier-free doesn’t usually add much to the cost.
Below are the average costs of showers for the different types in their most common sizes.
Type of Shower | Average Installation Cost |
Corner | $4,000 |
Alcove | $8,000 |
Curbless/barrier-free | $6,000 |
Freestanding | $6,000 |
Average Cost of a Walk-In Shower by Material
Whether you’re choosing a prefab or a custom shower, you’ll have some options for the type of material you want your shower body and shower surround to be made out of.
Prefab materials are more affordable and include acrylic, fiberglass, and composite stone, also called “solid surface.” Custom showers tend to include ceramic or porcelain tile, stone tile, glass tile, or stone slabs.
Shower Surround Material | Installation Cost |
Acrylic | $2,000 to $5,000 |
Composite stone | $2,000 to $6,000 |
Fiberglass | $4,000 to $8,000 |
Ceramic tile | $6,000 to $12,000 |
Porcelain tile | $7,000 to $14,000 |
Natural stone | $6,000 to $20,000 |
Glass tile | $5,000 to $12,000 |
Solid surface | $2,000 to $8,000 |
Walk-In Shower Prices by Door Type
There are a few glass door options you’ll have to choose from for your walk-in shower as well, and they range in cost from $300 to $5,000. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly bathroom remodel, you can save money here by opting for a curtain, but a glass door or walls can elevate your walk-in shower and add more value.
Type of Door | Material Cost |
Framed | $300 to $1,200 |
Bypass | $400 to $2,000 |
Swing | $600 to $900 |
Half-height | $700 to $1,000 |
Hinged | $700 to $1,000 |
Bi-fold | $800 to $2,000 |
Frameless | $900 to $2,300 |
French | $1,000 to $2,400 |
Inline | $1,500 to $2,500 |
Neo-angle | $1,500 to $3,500 |
Enclosure | $1,800 to $5,000 |
Walk-In Shower Installation Cost
Labor will account for between 40% and 60% of the total cost of a walk-in shower, or around $2,000 for a prefab shower installation and an average of $4,800 for a custom shower installation.
Custom shower installation costs will almost always be higher because the labor to install individual tiles or stone slabs is significantly more involved than setting a prefabricated shower body in place.
Labor costs can also increase by $200 to $500 if you need to hire a plumber to move drain lines and water supply lines to fit your new shower.
You can also keep labor costs down by choosing a major retailer that outsources installation to third parties who compete for your business. For example, Home Depot walk-in shower installation costs will typically be 5% to 15% lower than if you hired a custom shower designer and installer near you.
Shower Type | Labor Cost | Total Cost |
Prefab | $2,000 | $5,000 |
Custom | $4,800 | $8,000 |
Cost of a Wet Room vs. Walk-In Shower
Walk-in showers are beneficial because they are attractive and easy to use. Another alternative to a walk-in shower that is easy to use and has no barrier to entry is a wet room. Walk-in showers range from $5,000 to $11,000 in most cases, whereas installing a wet room costs around $17,000. Installing a wet room involves waterproofing the entire room and then installing a barrier-free shower, which is why the cost is significantly higher.
A wet room is a bathroom that is completely waterproofed. This means there is no need for a shower door, glass enclosure, or shower curtain because the water can freely leave the shower area without damaging the bathroom. This makes a wet room a good choice for small spaces where a separate shower may take up too much room.
Project | Cost |
Walk-in shower | $5,000 to $11,000 |
Wet room | $11,000 to $22,000 |
Cost of Add-Ons
Upgrading to a walk-in shower is a big undertaking but will have a major impact on home value and the visual appeal of your bathroom. While you’re budgeting for the main work, you may want to think about the following add-ons to get the most value out of your new shower.
Walk-In Shower Add-On | Cost |
Built-in shelves | $75 to $300 each |
Niches | $100 to $400 each |
Grab bars | $85 to $300 each |
Bench | $100 to $500 |
Slip-resistant floor | $200 to $1,000 |
Shower screen | $400 to $700 |
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
In addition to the more common add-ons above, there are some other upgrades you can make to your walk-in shower that will add more to your home value and to your enjoyment of the space.
New water heater: Upgrading your water heater can help you enjoy longer, hotter showers without the risk of running out of hot water. Expect to pay between $900 and $2,000 for this upgrade.
Bathroom remodel: Looking to couple your walk-in shower remodel with a total overhaul of your bathroom? Expect to spend a total of between $6,000 and $17,000 for a full bathroom remodel.
Steam shower: Installing a steam shower can make your bathing experience all the more luxurious. You’ll spend between $1,000 and $6,000 for this upgrade.
Additional Costs and Considerations
There are a few other considerations you should make and costs to consider before you start your project.
DIY: While custom showers are not recommended for DIY installation, some prefab units can be installed DIY. A DIY walk-in shower cost can be considerably lower than a professional installation, even if you still hire a plumber for the valve installation.
Financial assistance: When converting a tub or shower into an accessible walk-in shower, some programs may offer financial assistance if the user is elderly or has mobility issues. Speak to your local municipality to find out which options may be available.
Building permits: Permits are required in most areas to install or replace a walk-in shower. Speak to your installer or local municipality for more information, and expect to pay between $100 and $500 for the necessary permits.
Walk-in tub and shower: If desired, you can have a walk-in bathtub that includes a shower. This is not considered a walk-in shower, but it can be an alternative for anyone who wants to keep a bathtub in the room while making the area more accessible.
FAQ: Walk-In Shower Cost
For many people, walk-in showers are worth it. They are easy to use, more accessible for the elderly and those with mobility issues, and they are very attractive and can make a bathroom look more luxurious, especially if you go with a custom walk-in shower. In many cases, they’ll also add more to your home value than a standard shower.
The biggest downside to a walk-in shower is the installation cost, especially if you’re converting from a tub/shower combo to a walk-in shower. You’ll pay an average of $8,000 for the conversion. You should also consider that you’ll no longer have a tub, which can be a dealbreaker for some homeowners and even some buyers when you go to sell your home.
If you have another bathroom with a tub, a walk-in shower will almost always raise your home value. However, if you’re installing a walk-in shower in your only bathroom, removing a tub can bring down your home value, as some buyers will specifically look for a tub in the primary bathroom.
The standard sizes for a walk-in shower are 48 inches by 48 inches for a square shower or 60 inches by 36 inches for an alcove walk-in shower. The smallest recommended size is 36 inches by 36 inches. Larger showers offer opportunities to install benches, steam, or more plumbing like body sprayers if you have the space.
In most cases, a walk-in shower is more expensive to install than an alcove tub, but only if you’re going with a custom walk-in shower. A prefab tub will usually cost around $5,700, while a custom walk-in shower averages around $8,000. The size, materials, and current bathroom layout can affect your costs and make a tub installation more expensive, though.
Dan was a property manager from 2015 to 2020, during which time he managed and oversaw the upkeep and repairs of over 2,000 residential properties. He uses that experience, as well as his extensive DIY knowledge, to bring reliable information to homeowners about renovations and home-related projects. Since 2020, he has been using his experience to write about home improvement, and his work has appeared on sites like USA Today, CNN, Angi, and Today’s Homeowner.