How Much Does A Walk-In Shower Cost?
How Much Does A Walk-In Shower Cost?
Walk-in showers are becoming increasingly popular for their sleek design, ease of accessibility and simple maintenance. As you shop for the right walk-in shower for your home, it’s important to understand the costs involved to help you budget effectively and avoid surprises.
Overview of Walk-In Shower Costs
According to Homes & Gardens, a walk-in shower is the #1 bathroom trend in 2024. Seeing that the shower is the centerpiece of the bathroom, it’s important to plan and design a shower that will grow with you and your family. The price can vary depending on multiple factors like size, type, brand, add on features, plumbing upgrades, installation costs, labor costs and more. You can expect your walk-in shower remodel to cost between $8,500 to $20,000+ depending on needs of the home and product selection. A meticulously designed and installed walk-in shower can last longer than 20 years, so it’s important to understand the costs associated to avoid selecting the wrong path to getting the walk-in shower you’ve always wanted.
In this price guide, you will find everything you need to know about the cost of a walk-in shower so you can make an informed decision for you and your home.
With Yankee Home’s 365-Day Price Guarantee, you are quoted one price that is down to the penny which factors in all aspects of your project from customization to delivery and installation cost.
CALL: 877-889-2653
Walk-In Shower Price Breakdown
Key Cost Factors
When you’re shopping for a walk-in shower, you’re shopping for more than just the shower itself. There are multiple aspects of the project that get factored into the overall cost including add-on accessories, cost of labor and installation. For example, a walk-in shower without any storage or shower door will be less than a shower with built-in storage, multiple fixtures and accessories. The chart below provides cost estimates for potential factors to consider as you plan and budget:
Cost: $2,000 – $20,000+
Details: Depends on brand, features and delivery
Cost: $1,000 – $5,000+
Details: Grab bars, storage, seating, shower doors, etc.
Cost: $2,500 – $8,000+
Details: Demolition, waste removal, plumbing, installation, etc.
Cost: $5,500 – $33,000+
Details: Factoring in all elements of the project will give you a price range for your project
Labor Costs of a Walk-In Shower
The average cost of labor and installation of a walk-in shower is somewhere between $2,500 – $8,000 depending on the complexity of the job. Installation costs will be higher if you need to reconfigure plumbing, ventilation, or expand the footprint of the shower. Below are a few factors for you to consider that could impact the cost of installation:
Most walk-in showers, such as Yankee Home’s Basic Baths, easily fit the footprint of a traditional shower space (60″L x 32″ W) and won’t require extensive renovations. If you install a larger shower, or reconfigure the space to fit a new layout, you’ll pay higher in labor costs to move walls, plumbing, etc.
Many homes in New England are old, and haven’t been updated since they were originally built. A walk-in shower conversion requires plumbing upgrades as a tub and shower setup needs a smaller drain whereas a walk-in shower requires a larger drain to properly remove water during bathing. Every home is different and a thorough plumbing inspection prior to installation will identify key areas that need attention so your home will function seamlessly. Yankee Home’s walk-in showers are backed by a dedicated Plumbing Division that upgrades your plumbing to be up to code for the area you live in.
Most companies charge an additional fee or require you to rent your own dumpster for removal of old materials. Yankee Home includes removal of your old bath, shower, and surrounding materials as a part of the professional installation service saving you anywhere from $250-$700.
Your shower is in one of the wettest areas of your home. Ensuring your shower is watertight is crucial to preserving the life of your home and to prevent mold, mildew and wood rot. Waterproofing can cost between $1,500 and $2,000 but depends on the home.
Cost of Maintenance for a Walk-In Shower
Maintenance costs are typically low for a walk-in shower. Regular cleaning can easily prevent damage to your shower enclosure, grout and fixtures. Grout sealing and potential repairs can add up over time. At Yankee Home, your new walk-in shower is covered by our Double Lifetime Warranty plus backed by our dedicated service department which performs a one year inspection of your project, performs repairs, grout replacement, and more…at no additional cost to you! Your new shower is protected for the long-haul.
What Are the Alternatives to a Walk-In Shower?
Walk-in showers are not the only safe bathing solution available. Learn more about alternative options below. Older adults who need assistance with medical and personal care may benefit from in-home or long-term residential care. Unlike a walk-in shower, which is a one-time purchase, care services require yearly payments. A person’s individual needs and level of independence will determine the type of care and assistance needed.
ASSISTED LIVING AND IN-HOME CARE
Professional, long-term care services are a common solution to assisting yourself with bathing. There are multiple costs associated with these services that can quickly add up.
Home Health Aide: $63,000 per year
Assisted Living Facility: $54,000 per year
Nursing Home: $100,000 per year
Shower safety equipment to improve home accessibility.
Shower Chair: $35 – $800
Transfer Bench: $50 – $500
Convertible Step-In Shower Kit: $500 – $2,000
Accessible baths like walk-in baths promote independence and safety. There are multiple factors to consider when shopping for a walk-in tub like additional features, water heater capacity, and electrical work needed. You can expect to pay $10,000 for a standard walk-in tub without installation, and over $25,000+ for a premium walk-in tub and installation.
Will Insurance, Medicare, or Veterans Affairs Cover the Cost of a Walk-in Shower?
A: Unfortunately, Medicare usually does not consider a walk-in shower as durable medical equipment (DME) and will not be covered by your insurance. Medicare considers these a home modification rather than a medical necessity, even if it’s for safety reasons. If you talk to your doctor about your need for a walk-in shower to age in place, they may be able to write this down as a medical need and to get a prescription for it. This could potentially help with Medicare reimbursement, but is not always the case. For more information, please visit this page.
A: Medicare Advantage Plans are special health insurance plans that are offered by private companies but are still part of the Medicare program. Your plan might help cover the cost, but not all Medicare Advantage Plans are the same. Depending on the plan you have and where you live, the best thing you can do is check the details of your Medicare Advantage Plan or talk to a representative from the plan. They will be able to outline what exactly is covered or not covered.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a Home Improvements Structural Alterations (HISA) Benefit to provide medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence for a variety of reasons, including use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. All HISA projects must be medically justified for the service connected disability and/or non-service connected disability. For more information on how you can apply for the HISA Benefit and the process, please visit this page.
The USDA Rural Development Program provides loans and grants to low-income, rural homeowners, which can be used to make home modifications for seniors or disabled residents to improve safety and remove health hazards. Grants are only given to those who are considered unable to repay a loan. In the event an applicant is able to repay a part of a loan, he or she may be awarded a partial loan and partial grant. For more information, please visit this page.
Start Shopping for Your Walk-In Shower Today
There are so many factors that go into the price of a walk-in shower, so be sure to explore all your purchase options. As you shop around, consider your needs, the needs of your home, and budget. To help you get started and feel empowered in your choice, explore these questions you should ask during your walk-in shower appointment.
At Yankee Home, we designed the 365-Day Price Guarantee to provide you with a custom quote for exactly what you want with a price that is down to the penny.
CALL: 877-889-2653
References:
https://homeguide.com/costs/walk-in-shower-cost
https://www.medicare.org/articles/will-medicare-cover-a-walk-in-tub/
https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/plumbing/install-a-shower/#walk
https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/walk-in-showers/