Short answer
A walk-in shower costs about $4,500 to $15,000 installed, with a national average near $9,500, per Modernize (2026). A prefab kit runs about $2,000 to $5,000 installed, while custom tile runs $7,000 to $15,000 or more. Other 2026 guides put the typical project at $6,000 to $12,000 (Angi) or $4,000 to $20,000 (This Old House).
Key facts
- Modernize (Aug 2026): walk-in shower national average about $9,500; most homeowners pay $4,500 to $15,000. Prefab kit $2,000 to $5,000; custom tile $7,000 to $15,000 or more.[1]
- Angi (Jul 2026): average walk-in shower $9,000, with most between $6,000 and $12,000. Custom walk-in showers cost $4,200 to $8,500.[2]
- Fixr (Mar 2025): labor is 40% to 60% of a walk-in shower's total cost, about $2,000 for a prefab install and $4,800 on average for a custom install.[3]
- This Old House (Oct 2026): basic prefab $4,000 to $7,000, midrange tiled $8,000 to $13,000, high-end custom $14,000 to $20,000 or more.[4]
Estimate your shower or bath project
Pick the job and anything it also needs. You get a national range from published cost guides, not a quote.
Quick price table
National ranges from named cost guides, not quotes. Your price depends on your city, the size of the shower and what is behind the walls.
| Walk-in shower type | Typical installed range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab kit (acrylic or fiberglass) | $2,000 to $5,000 | Modernize 2026[1] |
| Prefab, per This Old House | $4,000 to $7,000 | This Old House 2026[4] |
| Custom tile | $7,000 to $15,000+ | Modernize 2026[1] |
| Midrange tiled | $8,000 to $13,000 | This Old House 2026[4] |
| High-end custom | $14,000 to $20,000+ | This Old House 2026[4] |
| Typical project, all types | $6,000 to $12,000 (average $9,000) | Angi 2026[2] |
The guides disagree on the low end. Modernize's prefab range starts at $2,000[1], while This Old House starts its prefab tier at $4,000[4]. Get written quotes before you set a budget. The walk-in shower cost estimator adds up these ranges for your choices.
Prefab kit vs custom tile
A prefab shower uses a factory-made base and wall panels. A custom shower is built on site with backer board, a waterproof membrane and tile[4].
- Prefab: fewer steps, less labor and less waterproofing work[4]. Angi says most manufactured stalls cost $700 to $3,000 for the unit[2]. Fiberglass kits start around $900 and top-of-the-line kits reach about $2,500[1].
- Custom tile: more design choice, more labor. Fixr says choosing prefab saves about $5,000 on average compared with custom[3].
Cost by shower size
Fixr prices common sizes for both types[3]:
| Size (inches) | Prefab installed | Custom installed |
|---|---|---|
| 36 x 36 | $2,700 | $5,400 |
| 36 x 48 | $3,600 | $7,200 |
| 36 x 60 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| 48 x 60 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| 60 x 60 | $7,500 | $15,000 |
Modernize lists 36 x 48 inches as a standard walk-in size, with an average cost of about $7,000[1]. Large showers of 48 x 60 inches or more start at about $9,000[1].
Curbless and zero-entry showers
A curbless shower sits level with the bathroom floor. That needs the subfloor lowered or reworked so water drains to the right spot[4]. Angi says most prefab bases come with a 7-inch curb, and going curbless usually means going custom; a custom shower pan costs about $2,500[2]. Fixr lists a curbless shower at an average of $6,000 and says curbless does not usually add much[3]. This Old House disagrees: it says curbless designs that need extra waterproofing raise labor costs[4]. Ask each contractor to price the curbless version and the low-curb version side by side.
Glass doors and panels
| Item | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Glass shower door, installed | $550 to $1,400 | Angi 2026[2] |
| Glass enclosure and door | $1,200 to $3,000 | Modernize 2026[1] |
| Framed glass door | $500 to $1,200 | This Old House 2026[4] |
| Frameless glass enclosure | $1,000 to $3,000+ | This Old House 2026[4] |
Labor vs materials
Fixr says labor is 40% to 60% of the total: about $2,000 for a prefab install and an average of $4,800 for a custom install[3]. Modernize's sample budget breaks a project down like this[1]:
| Line item | Range |
|---|---|
| Shower base | $800 to $1,800 |
| Wall materials | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Glass enclosure and door | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Plumbing and valve | $600 to $1,500 |
| Labor | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Demolition and removal | $500 to $1,500 |
| Total | $7,500 to $13,500 |
Angi lists permits at $250 to $500[2].
Walk-in shower vs a tub-shower combo
Fixr says a prefab tub usually costs around $5,700, while a custom walk-in shower averages around $8,000[3]. If you are replacing a tub, see the tub to shower conversion cost page. For a whole-room project, Angi's full remodel range is $25,000 to $80,000[5], and This Old House's average bathroom remodel is $15,586[6]. Details are on the bathroom remodel cost page.
When to call a pro
- Any move of the drain, valve or supply lines: a licensed plumber should do it, and it usually needs a permit.
- Curbless entry: the floor work affects drainage and waterproofing.
- Signs of soft floors, mold or leaks around the old shower.
- To get a firm price: national ranges cannot price your bathroom.
More questions
Is a curbless shower much more expensive?
It depends on the guide. Fixr (2025) says going curbless usually does not add much, with an average of $6,000 for a curbless shower. This Old House (2026) says curbless designs need subfloor work and extra waterproofing, which raise labor costs.
What is the cheapest way to get a walk-in shower?
A prefab kit set into an existing space with the plumbing left where it is. Modernize (2026) puts prefab kits at about $2,000 to $5,000 installed, and Angi (2026) says skipping a glass door saves $550 to $1,400.
How much does it cost to redo a shower?
Angi (2026) says remodeling a shower ranges from $300 to $15,000 depending on how much changes. This Old House (2026) puts a complete shower remodel at about $8,044 on average, including materials and labor.
Sources
- Walk-in shower cost (updated Aug 21, 2026), Modernize. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does a walk-in shower cost? (2026 data, updated Jul 15, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Walk-in shower installation cost (updated Mar 4, 2025), Fixr. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does a walk-in shower cost? (updated Oct 7, 2026), This Old House. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does a bathroom remodel cost? (2026 data, updated Jul 9, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Bathroom remodel cost (updated Jul 2, 2026), This Old House. Accessed 2026-10-15.
Walk-In Shower Quotes is an information and referral service run by Strive LeadGen LLC. We may be paid by contractors when we connect a homeowner with one; that never changes what we publish. Found an error? Tell us. We review safety and legal reports within 2 business days and all others within 7 days.