Why Cheap Shower Remodels Often Cost You More Later

When one shower remodel quote comes in thousands of dollars lower than the others, it’s easy to assume you’ve found a great deal. Why spend more for the same result? It’s tempting to choose that lower-priced tub or shower remodel.

The problem is that cheap tub or shower remodels mean corners are being cut where you can’t see them. We’re talking bad waterproofing, lackluster structural backing, or missed installation steps that keep moisture from damaging your walls. Months or years later, those shortcuts can lead to a full shower replacement.

At Shugarman’s Bath, we work exclusively in tub and shower remodeling, completing over 100 installations per month. We meet homeowners who deal with the aftermath of low-cost remodels, seeing firsthand how shortcuts during the original installation often lead to expensive repairs for them later.

This article will break down why cheap shower remodels often fail, where those failures typically occur, and what to compare in remodel quotes to avoid paying for the same shower twice.

Table of Contents:

• Why Do Low Price Quotes Often Lead to Hidden Problems?
• Where Do Cheap Shower Remodels Often Fail?
• Why Is It So Expensive to Fix a Shower After It’s Been Remodeled?
• Why Would Some Contractors Cut Corners On a Shower Remodel?
• What Should I Look For When Comparing Bath Remodel Quotes?
• What Does This Mean For Your Tub or Shower Remodel?

Why Do Low-Price Shower Remodel Quotes Often Lead to Hidden Problems?

A high-quality tub or shower remodel is often perceived as expensive. Most homeowners want to avoid more costs if they can. A lower-priced quote usually feels like a relief. However, home improvement projects are one of the few industries where you truly get the quality you pay for.

Low prices usually come from somewhere, whether through fewer steps in the installation process, less time spent on waterproofing, or lower costs for shower wall materials. Sometimes, it’s all three. This, or there may be an influx of change orders coming your way before or during installation.

If you’re seeing problems appear years later, warranties or workmanship may have expired by the time you notice. And when that happens, you’re responsible for the full cost.

Where Do Cheap Shower Remodels Often Fail?

Most shower failures occur in the structural parts of the shower system. Sure, the surface might look perfect (at least for a short while). However, it’s the system behind the walls that determines whether the remodel lasts a long time or fails sooner than expected..

A properly built shower will include layers designed to keep moisture contained in the area. Improperly installed or skipped layers can allow water to penetrate the wall structure, leading to long-term damage. We’re talking wood rot, mold, mildew, damaged drywall and backer boards, subfloor damage, and water spreading into other parts of the home.

The backing of materials behind the wall is another failure point. Backer boards must be designed to withstand constant moisture exposure. Some contractors will use materials like greenboard because they are cheaper. However, those materials aren’t built to withstand constant water exposure. They’re prone to weaken, deteriorate, or allow movement behind the wall surface.

Seams, joints, and corners must be sealed precisely so moisture can’t enter small gaps within the system. These connection points are where individual wall components meet, and they rely on proper sealing to remain stable. If seams or joints are installed incorrectly, panels or tiles may begin to separate, shift, or loosen as the system ages.

When failures occur in any of these areas, the finished wall surface usually has to be removed so the system behind it can be rebuilt. You’re basically paying for another remodel.

Why Is It So Expensive to Fix a Shower After It’s Been Remodeled?

Failure will involve the waterproofing system and/or the structure behind the walls. Repairs often require tearing out finished walls, removing fixtures, and rebuilding parts of the shower from scratch. Contractors may need to inspect the framing, subfloor, and backing materials before properly rebuilding the system.

You’re essentially paying for another remodel. Most surface materials can’t be reused once they’re removed, meaning you end up paying again for labor, materials, and installation. On top of that, you’re also paying with your time. Time isn’t something you get back.

Situations like this occur more often than many homeowners expect. In fact, we have seen cases where a homeowner selected the lowest remodel quote only to replace the entire shower shortly afterward.

A tub and shower remodel should be done properly the first time, so you don’t need to worry about it again as long as you own your home. This is why you want a remodeler who’s qualified to install it.

Why Would Some Contractors Cut Corners On a Shower Remodel?

One factor is competition. When a contractor offers a low quote, it gets your attention. They know price is an important factor, especially in a competitive market. Some contractors lower their prices to win the project, even if it means sacrificing time or resources for the job (unless they plan to send change orders after demoing your tub and shower area).

To offer a low quote, some contractors may reduce the amount of time spent on preparation, use lower-cost materials, or simplify parts of the installation process.

Profit margins can also be a contributing factor. If a contractor bids too low, they might feel pressure to get the job done quickly to remain profitable. This can lead to paying less attention to detail during installation.

Some contractors are just plain bad at workflow management. They’ll sometimes take on more projects than they can handle to keep crews busy or maintain steady revenue. Schedules become crowded, and projects may be completed faster than they should be. That, or a project scheduled to take weeks turns into months.

Finally, some contractors may not specialize in shower remodeling. The tub and shower area is a portion of your home that cannot fail, especially when it can affect your well-being and damage other parts of the home. Without a consistent installation process for these types of projects, important steps can be overlooked simply because the contractor is less familiar with the complexities of shower systems.

What Should I Look For When Comparing Shower Remodel Quotes?

Price should not be the only factor you consider. Two quotes can look similar on paper while representing very different installation processes. You need to consider the preparation involved, how the area will be waterproofed, the materials to be used, and your contractor's experience.

Proper preparation and installation for a successful shower remodel should begin with thorough demolition and inspection of the wall framing to ensure the structure behind the shower is sound. From there, the contractor should install the appropriate backer boards and structural materials that keep the wall system protected.

The contractor’s installation process matters. A contractor who specializes in tub and shower remodeling often follows tried-and-true methods to prevent common issues.

Much of this information can be found out by asking the right questions during a design consultation. Download our buyer’s guide for 16 questions you need to ask during a design consultation and why.