Know what your shower remodel should cost
A 15 sq ft shower remodel costs $5,150 to $8,350 in 2026, about $450 per sq ft installed. Across every option it runs from $3,200 (prefab insert) to $21,000 (curbless or wet room).
Four questions gets you an itemised range, adjusted for construction wages where you live. The whole number, up front, before we ask for anything.
What shower remodel work costs in 2026
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Prefab insert One-piece or three-piece acrylic unit in the existing opening | $2,800 – $4,600 |
| Like-for-like replacement New pan, surround and valve in the same footprint | $4,100 – $6,700 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion Remove the tub, build a tiled shower in its place | $5,150 – $8,350 |
| Custom tiled walk-in Full tile, glass panel, new drain position | $6,900 – $11,300 |
| Curbless or wet room Recessed pan and waterproofing across the whole floor | $8,950 – $14,600 |
Where the money goes
Labour
$2,280 · 34% of the job
Tile and waterproofing
$1,490 · 22% of the job
Valve and plumbing
$1,010 · 15% of the job
Glass or door
$950 · 14% of the job
Pan or base
$610 · 9% of the job
Demolition and disposal
$410 · 6% of the job
Shower Remodel cost by state
Labour is the part of this job that moves with geography. These are the same 15 sq ft project, priced against construction wages in each state.
- California $5,350 – $8,750 +4.6% vs national
- Texas $5,200 – $8,500 +1.3% vs national
- Florida $4,850 – $7,850 -6.0% vs national
- New York $5,350 – $8,750 +4.4% vs national
- Connecticut $5,300 – $8,700 +3.6% vs national
- District of Columbia $5,500 – $9,000 +7.1% vs national
- Delaware $5,000 – $8,200 -1.9% vs national
- Georgia $5,100 – $8,300 -0.4% vs national
- Hawaii $5,450 – $8,950 +6.4% vs national
- Iowa $4,900 – $8,000 -4.2% vs national
- Idaho $4,650 – $7,650 -8.9% vs national
- Illinois $5,400 – $8,800 +5.4% vs national
Questions homeowners ask
What is the average price to redo a shower?
A standard 3x5 tub-to-shower conversion at mid-range finishes runs about $5,150 to $8,350. A like-for-like replacement in the same footprint is less; a custom tiled walk-in is more.
What is the least expensive way to redo a shower?
A prefab acrylic insert in the existing opening, around $3,200 at budget level, which is close to the minimum most contractors will take on. It avoids tiling, waterproofing and any change to the drain, which are the three things that drive shower cost.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?
About $6,750 for a typical 3x5 footprint at mid-range finishes. The cost sits in the tiling and waterproofing rather than the fixtures. Moving the drain adds roughly $1,800 more.
Is a curbless shower much more expensive?
Yes, roughly 75% more than a standard conversion, about $11,800 for a 3x5 at mid-range. The floor has to be recessed and the waterproofing extended across the room, which is structural work rather than a finish upgrade.
Reviewed and maintained by Anchorcost. Last checked September 3, 2026. Figures are verified against this page's own calculator on every build. How these figures are worked out.