Whether you’re in need of a new shower or looking to repair your current setup, it is important to understand the costs involved with any of the above home upgrades. Statistics indicate that homeowners generally spend between $2,500 and $4,500 on shower installation. Good news is that shower installation and repair is probably one of the biggest upgrades to a home, and yields a better return on investment than other home improvement projects. But remember that this can be a challenging project that is best left to the professionals.
The daunting task however is not locating a professional for shower installation and repair, it is figuring out the price beyond labor costs. There are a plethora of different shower models to choose from such as a standard bare bones shower enclosure, shower and tub combinations to showers with all the bells and whistles. One of the complicated aspects is determining whether you’d like a standalone shower or a shower and tub combination. The combination types are more complicated to work with hence will require more time for installation and consecutively increase costs.
The material your shower is made of plays a crucial role towards the price of installation and from fiberglass to tile, there’s a wide range of materials to choose from. Tile showers are the most expensive installations, and are most preferred as they provide a ton of customization options and attractive looks. If you’re budget conscious, then ceramic showers are more affordable than their stone counterparts. The kicker however is that the cost of installing tile showers depends on the amount of work involved compared to fitting a one piece shower enclosure. Other aspects that will add to the cost of shower installation and repair are fixtures, shower doors, shower pan and bath fan(s).
The cost of fixing a faulty shower and improving its functionality to prevent water damage will depend on several factors including the nature and extent of damage. Your issues most likely will require professional services of a tiling contractor, plumber or any other repair technician. So consider the extent of your problems and the features of your shower when selecting a contractor. The type and size of your shower will be the biggest determinants in the costs of shower installation and repair considering that overall size, finishing materials, complexity of controls and even accessibility of plumbing will influence the tools, time and skills required for the job.
Regardless of the type of shower you have, the specific shower problems will determine the work involved and help you select the best contractor. For example, faucet issues can be taken care of a licensed plumber, whereas grout and tile repairs will need to be looked at by a tile contractor. A clogged or rusted drain can hinder the functionality of your shower and result in leaks, flooding and costly water damage. Repairing a rusted drain could mean replacing the drain mechanism and refinishing the surface around it. Fixing a clogged drain in most cases is relatively easy and requires the use of a snake tool to clear the lines to remove the obstruction(s).
Other shower installation and repair costs include resurfacing a shower, cracked shower, leaking shower or simply ones that don’t close properly. There are a ton of issues that may hinder the appearance, operation and stability of your shower. Regardless of whether these problems are cosmetic, structural or plumbing related, understanding the functionality of your shower, features and the extent of repairs will help you get the appropriate help at the best price.