The best way to ensure that your shower replacement project is completed correctly is to hire a licensed and insured contractor. Your bathroom remodeling contractor should be well versed with local building and permit requirements and should be able to handle the entire permitting process for you.
We will always recommend that a professional plumber replace and install all showers in your home.
Bathtub or Shower: Every 10-15 Years
If your bathtub or shower has been reglazed or refinished, it's recommended that you replace it 10-15 years after having this done. Of course, if you're planning a bathroom renovation, updating your shower or tub is a must!
Normal range: $3,742 - $11,234. The average cost to install a shower is $7,451 , but it varies depending on any changes to your existing bathroom layout. A new shower can transform your space. On average, shower installation costs $7,451 , though most homeowners end up spending somewhere between $3,742 and $11,234 .
After all, your bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in the house, and having to brush your teeth and shower in a cramped guest bathroom while the new shower is installed can get old fast. The good news is the project timeline for a complete shower replacement is generally short—anywhere from two to five days.
If it is a straight swap where no alterations are needed to the existing electrics then a plumber can do the work. By 'no alterations' we mean that the electrics feeding the shower don't need extending, upgrading or changing. If they do then you need to get a qualified electrician in.
When installing a new electric shower, plumbing and electrical experience is required, considering the new shower system may have a higher wattage than the one you are replacing.
Opt for a standard size prefabricated shower rather than a custom one. Acrylic and cultured marble are usually the most cost-effective prefab materials. If you're set on a custom shower, keep it simple. White porcelain subway tile will be less expensive than natural stone (but nearly as durable).
A small walk-in prefabricated shower will be far less expensive to replace than a large walk-in or bathtub/shower combo that includes tile and trendy black shower doors. A simple replacement will require less demolition, little movement of essential plumbing and no tile work.
The typical range for shower remodel costs is $200 to $15,000, with a national average of $8,000. The main cost factors for shower remodeling are the shower size and type, project scope, bathroom age, material quality, labor, and geographic location.
One of the key signs it's time to replace your shower is leaks. Shower leaks can have various causes, ranging from a clogged or broken showerhead to a faulty mixer tap or worn shower valve. Leaks not only waste significant amounts of water, but they can also lead to problems like mould and pests.
The truth is that installing a shower isn't that complicated, and you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself. You shouldn't need to make any alterations to your plumbing to complete the job, and most of the tools you need will be provided in your new shower kit.
Old shower heads commonly leak due to tiny cracks, old Teflon tape or grime and rust creating gaps. Even if the leak is slow, you could be wasting hundreds of gallons of water every year because of your outdated shower head leaking.
As such, most people kept to the rule of 10-year bathroom renovation, carefully protecting their age-old idea of a new shower, new ceramic tile and new shower tray every 10 years.
If you're having a new electric shower installed, you will need to hire a Part P certified plumber who can safely complete the shower installation ensuring all wiring is in the correct places. Replacing an electric shower still requires plumbing and electrical experience, as your new shower may have higher wattage.
Tile showers will usually need to be replaced every 40 to 50 years, and they will also typically need to be re-grouted and resealed every few years. They could theoretically last for far longer than this, but the issue is that the shower pan liner will typically have an average life span of around 45 years.
These showers are less expensive because they're standardized, and they're cheaper to install because some of the work is already done. A prefab unit with installation costs $3,000–$9,000, according to Angi. Custom walk-in showers are built from the ground up, requiring more labor.
The electric shower is generally more efficient and cheaper to run with less water being wasted; however, you risk spending extra on your electricity bills if you're on a high tariff.
For instance, if you have an older home with smaller bathrooms, it may cost less to buy a small prefab walk-in shower for around $400 to $700. If you have newer construction with larger bathrooms and more space, it may be more cost-effective to install a larger walk-in shower that costs between $4000 to $7000.
Acrylic. Along with being beautiful and fully customizable, acrylic shower systems are the easiest to clean. This innovative material is naturally resistant to fading, scratching, and staining, and acrylic showers are installed in one solid piece so no stubborn grout lines are present.
Shower and tub
The focal point of any bathroom is the shower and/or tub, so it should come as no surprise that remodeling them offers the highest ROI. If you're upgrading your master bathroom, replacing your tub with a large walk-in shower can raise your home's value.
Whether the shower head is leaking or the drain is blocked, rely on the skills of the local plumbers, who will use their expertise to identify the root cause and effectively repair your shower. Blocked shower drains are usually the result of hair and soap buildup.
Most plumbers can install a showerhead for about $75 to $150 (CAD 100 to CAD 200), according to The Home Depot.
If your plumber is Part P certified, he or she will be able to fit an electric shower, otherwise, he or she should not fit it and you would have to find an electrician.”