article

Replacing Your Bathroom Shower or Shower/Tub

By Bluehammer Admin

Aside from being a great place to sing, showers are an important place to make sure we stay clean. The following are some helpful tips when it comes time to replace your bathroom shower.

Shower Only or Shower and Tub?

First you need to decide on the type of shower you are looking to install. Showers-only are a space-saving contemporary option that work for those with space issues or do not have a need for a tub. Shower/Tub combos are good for families with children where having a tub helps with the nightly bath. Also consider shower/tub combos are better for re-sale if you go to sell your property as having at least one tub appeals to more potential buyers.

To Replace or Upgrade?

You've decided that your stained, slowly leaking shower is need of an overhaul. Now you need to decide whether you are simply going to replace your current shower with the same material or to upgrade your shower to a better material (think fiberglass to tile). No doubt a big factor in this is going to be cost. Also for those that have only 1 bathroom, time will play a huge factor as going without a shower for a period of time can be a real pain.

Shower Wall Material Options

Material not only affects the cost of replacing your shower but also the time it takes to complete the project.

  • FiberglassPremade fiberglass showers are easier to install and come either in one unit or in panels that are assembled. These are the most cost effective option and take the least amount of time to install.
  • Ceramic TilesCeramic tile shower walls give you options for both colors and patterns and are growing in popularity. They take longer to install but the overall aesthetic is higher.
  • Natural Stone TileNatural stone is the most elegant material solution. The tiles not only look great, but add the most to the resale value of your home. Natural stone tiles are also the most susceptible to staining as they are made of tiny fissures and natural imperfections. Making sure you have your tiles sealed (and re-sealed) helps combat stains. Natural stone tiles take the longest to install and seal adding to the reasons why they are the most expensive material option.

Shower Accessories

Deciding which accessories for your new shower will have an effect on the total cost and time it takes to complete the project.

  • Shower DoorsShower doors vs Curtains is not only a personal preference but a cost one as well. Depending on the type of shower door, they can considerably add to the cost of your shower replacement project. Shower doors come in frame and frameless options. You also can choose from a variety of glass options such as frosted or tinted. Shower doors can be easier to clean then curtains (mold) but also can reduce entry space when entering you exiting your shower.
  • Faucets and Shower HeadsShower heads come in all sorts of varieties and can really personalize your shower. Options include everything from rain shower heads that rain down water on you to eco-friendly low flow shower heads. The cost this adds to your product depends on the type and quality of the shower head.
  • Shelving and SeatingAdding shelving to your shower helps with organization. In shower-only cases, it is not uncommon to add seating in larger showers. This adds to the overall cost of the project.

Cost Factors in Replacing Shower / Tub

Below are some the main cost factors in the project of replacing your shower.

  • Removal of the old shower/tub
  • Shower/tub material costs
  • Drywall work (if applicable)
  • Re-routing of plumbing (if applicable) and the accompanying material costs
  • Installation labor and accessories(fixtures) costs
  • Hauling away and disposing of the old shower material

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Replacing Your Kitchen Dishwasher

Mix water, moving parts and wear and tear and you get a dishwasher replacement project

7 Tricks Hotels Use That Can Make Your Home Look and Work Better

Looking to breathe some life into your house? Maybe all you need is a vacation. A hotel stay is great for a lot of reasons - as a romantic getaway, an opportunity to see the world or explore new places, a break from work or kids - but taking a good look at your surroundings can also give you great ideas for refreshing your space when you get back home.

Getting the Best Estimated Home Improvement Costs Using Bluehammer's Home Improvement Calculator

The following are tips and tricks to help you better estimate the cost of your home improvement project.

The First-Time Homebuyer's Guide To Grown-Up Furniture

You just bought your first home. Congratulations: You're an adult! Now it's time to fill it up. But if you were planning to pack up those ratty old beanbag chairs and the bed that awakens you with a morning backache and move them to your new place, we have a few suggestions. It's time for a grown-up upgrade. Here's where to start.

Replacing Your Washing Machine

With moving parts, water and dirt, washing machines perform some tough work.

Simple DIY Projects That Will Increase the Value of Your Home

Looking to boost the value of your home without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars? You can! Making changes in certain rooms, like the kitchen and bathroom, is more beneficial than in others. These simple DIY projects will help increase your home's value the most.

10 Key Problems to Look Out For and Fix in Your Home

Ignore some of these signs and you may end up with major issues. We tell you which are normal and which are cause for concern

The Best Paint Colors For An Enduring Look In Your Home

Trends come and go. If you paint your walls the "provocative and thoughtful purple shade" of Ultra Violet, as Pantone, itself, calls it, you're probably gearing up to repaint them in whatever the color authority deems the "it" shade next year. If you'd rather pick a paint chip or two and keep your space the same for the long haul, you'll love these colors that endure.

8 Ways to Love Your Small Space More

When we run stories on living in homes with petite proportions, you often tell us, "Small? You should see my house!" Because we aim to please, we've rounded up some of the tiniest rooms on Houzz, picking those that pack plenty of ideas and function into a small space. We think that these are indisputably compact. But, more important, do you?

Is School Improvement Part of Your Ownership Strategy?

Neighborhoods with good schools often carry higher value for home buyers with children, so if you want to raise values in your neighborhood, supporting school improvement may be a valuable undertaking.

See More Articles