Cost guide

Walk-in shower cost

A walk-in shower is easier to step into than a tub and, for many people, the safest everyday choice.

A tiled walk-in shower with a frameless glass panel and linear drain

Quick answer

A walk-in shower costs $4,000 to $20,0001 installed, with an average around $12,000, per This Old House. Fixr reports a typical range of $5,000 to $11,0002.

Walk-in shower costs by type
ItemPlanning range
Basic prefabricated$4,000 to $7,0001
Midrange tiled$8,000 to $13,0001
High-end custom$14,000 to $20,0001
Framed glass door$400 to $1,2003
Frameless glass$1,200 to $3,0003
Fold-down seat, installed$300 to $8003
Permit fees$100 to $5002

Planning estimates from the sources cited, not quotes. Your installer's written price is the only real number. How we build these ranges.

Prefab or tile?

Prefabricated acrylic or composite units go in faster and have fewer grout lines to clean. Tile gives more size and design choice but adds labor. For accessibility, what matters most is a low threshold, a seat and grab bars, not the wall material.

Replacing a shower or a tub?

This page covers a new or replacement walk-in shower. If you are taking out a bathtub to make room, see our tub-to-shower conversion cost page, which adds removal and plumbing changes.

Walk-in shower vs. walk-in tub

A shower is usually cheaper and quicker to use. A walk-in tub is the better fit if you want to soak. See the full comparison.

Questions people ask

Do I need a permit for a walk-in shower?
Often yes, if plumbing inside the wall or floor changes. Rules vary by city, so ask your installer to confirm and pull the permit.

Sources

  1. This Old House, Walk-In Shower Cost (2026-10-07). Accessed November 10, 2026.
  2. Fixr, How Much Does It Cost to Install a Walk-In Shower? (2025-03-04). Accessed November 10, 2026.
  3. This Old House, Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost (2026-03-04). Accessed November 10, 2026.

Every price on this page comes from these sources through our published rate card. We open each source before citing it.