Planning Your Project
How to compare shower estimates fairly
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Short answer
Two shower estimates are only comparable when both name the waterproofing system, the drain type, the substrate, the tile allowance, who supplies the glass, and what happens if hidden damage is found. A lower number usually reflects a smaller scope or an unstated assumption, not a better deal.
Key takeaways
- Ask which waterproofing system, by manufacturer, will be installed.
- Confirm the drain type matches that system.
- Find out how hidden damage is handled before it is found.
- Check whether glass, trim and disposal are included or excluded.
Questions that make estimates comparable
- Which waterproofing system will you install, and will every component including the drain come from that system?
- Will you flood test the pan before tiling, and can I see it?
- What substrate goes behind the tile?
- Is there a tile allowance, and what happens if I choose above it?
- Who measures, supplies and installs the glass?
- How is hidden damage priced — and is that in writing before work starts?
- Who pulls the permit if one is required, and who schedules inspections?
Why we do not publish prices
We could put a number on this page and it would generate calls. It would also be wrong for most of the people reading it, because the cost of a shower is driven by what is behind the existing one, how far the drain moves, what the entry height needs to be, and the tile you choose. We would rather see the room and give you a figure you can rely on.
Any contractor who quotes a shower without seeing it is quoting a shower they have imagined, not the one in your house.
Frequently asked questions
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Planning a shower project?
Tell us about the shower you have and the one you want. We will come back with questions, then arrange to see the room before anything is quoted.