What’s the Cheapest Shower Remodel Cost Someone Can Get?

If you’ve seen low shower remodeling bids and thought, “That seems too good to be true,” it probably is. When you’re seeing a contractor quote less than $8,000, corners are being cut somewhere.

Shugarman's Bath has completed over 6,000 tub and shower remodels across San Diego and Orange County. We've torn out enough low-cost remodels that homeowners weren’t satisfied with. We’ve seen what corners were cut.

This article tells you how much a cheap shower remodel costs, where corners get cut, and what a quality remodel should cost so you can make the right call before signing anything.

Table of Contents:

• What Is the Cheapest Price for a Shower Remodel?
• What Does a Higher-Quality Shower Remodel Cost?
• Why Are Some Shower Remodel Bids So Much Lower?
• What Corners Do Cheap Shower Remodel Contractors Cut?
  
• What Does a Cheap Shower Remodel Cost You in Time?
• Look at Your Shower Remodel as an Investment
• Don't View Your Shower Remodel as an Expense

What Is the Cheapest Price for a Shower Remodel?

You can find shower remodel quotes ranging from $3,000 to $8,000. At that price point, you're typically getting labor-only pricing, unlicensed work, no warranty, or some combination of the three.

What Does a Higher-Quality Shower Remodel Cost?

A quality shower remodel costs $12,500–$22,000+ with a licensed contractor, using solid materials and proper installation. A reputable contractor should include a down-to-the-studs demolition, proper waterproofing, high-quality materials, and a worthwhile warranty.

If the full cost feels like too much, ask about financing options. You shouldn't have to wait years to get a much-needed shower remodel.

Why Are Some Shower Remodel Bids So Much Lower?

A lower bid usually means the contractor is cutting corners somewhere.

Some contractors quote low to get the sale. Once demolition begins, they find problems behind your walls and issue change orders. You'll likely spend more than a higher bid would have cost you by the time the job is complete.

Others use subcontractors or unlicensed labor to keep their costs down. These workers are likely general contractors who work on kitchens one week, roofs the next, and bathrooms the month after. They aren’t specialists in certain areas. Specialists who install tubs and showers every day make fewer mistakes than those who rotate between job types.

Some contractors don’t do a down-to-the-studs demolition. Instead, they’ll do an overlay install, placing new surfaces directly over your existing walls without tearing anything out. A contractor can complete an overlay install in a day. Any moisture damage or structural problems behind your walls will remain there.

What Corners Do Cheap Shower Remodel Contractors Cut?

Plenty of contractors will skip plumbing and drain work. There’s a chance they’ll install a new showerhead without touching existing pipes or drains. You'll likely be dealing with leaks or water damage behind the wall later.

Some contractors will use cheaper backer boards. They often use greenboard, a paper-faced backer board that is not approved for tubs and showers. Updated code requires cement-based or non-paper-faced backer boards.

You’ll notice a job is rushed when you see gaps in the wall panels, silicone in the corners that looks uneven, doors hanging crooked, or walls that flex when you press on them.

What Does a Cheap Shower Remodel Cost You in Time?

Tile work done correctly takes roughly a week. The waterproofing membrane, mortar base, and tile each require curing time between stages. A contractor promising a tile shower in 2 days is skipping those steps.

Projects that use subcontractors can drag on for 2 to 4 weeks or more because they involve coordinating with other parties.

A shower remodel done with shortcuts and low-grade materials doesn't last. Within a few years, you’re already in need of another tub or shower remodel.

Look at Your Shower Remodel as an Investment

A high-quality shower remodel pays off over time through lower maintenance costs, a safer tub and shower area, and avoiding the need to redo the same project in a few years.

For many homeowners, it's as much of an investment in safety as it is in their home. A fall in an unsafe shower can mean a hospital visit that costs far more than the remodel would have.

Don’t View Your Shower Remodel as an Expense

The price on a cheap bid looks appealing until you understand what's been left out to get there. A cheaper shower remodel now won’t save you money later. You usually end up doing the same project again every few years.

Now that you understand the cost of a cheap shower remodel, read our article on why a 1-2 day shower remodel is so expensive.

Have questions about cost or want to see what you can achieve with your specific project? Contact Shugarman's Bath today!

FAQs About Cost:

Q: How do I get my to-the-penny quote?

We offer free in-home design consultations with our expert designers. They’ll inspect your bathroom, listen to your frustrations and goals, and then take you through the step-by-step design your bath or shower space. Schedule your free consultation, and our team will contact you within 5 minutes.

Q: What is covered in your lifetime warranty?

We cover the cost of materials AND labor in our lifetime warranty. We believe that nothing beats peace of mind when it comes to a remodel, and this is how we accomplish that with our valued customers.

Q: How Much is The Average Shower Remodel with Shugarman’s Bath?

A shower or tub remodel with Shugarman’s Bath is, on average, between $12,500-$22,000.

Here's how we break down our pricing:

• Refresh ($12,500-$16,000): Clean, white, and easy to maintain. Includes custom accessories and a basic sliding door or curtain rod. 56% of our projects fall into this category.
• Elevate ($16,001-$22,000): Custom colors or patterns, shower seating, a wall niche, and 2 shower heads. 36% of our projects fall into this category.

Indulge ($22,001+): A larger shower, tub, or Cali combo built around your style with all the accessories. 8% of our projects fall into this category.