How much does it cost to build a walk-in shower?

In the Mid-South, a walk-in shower generally runs about $6,000–$10,000 for a prefab or acrylic unit and $10,000–$18,000 for custom tile. Curbless, zero-entry designs typically start around $13,000 and go up with size and glass.

Is a walk-in shower cheaper than a bathtub?

A basic walk-in shower can be comparable to a mid-range tub, but a fully tiled or curbless shower usually costs more than installing a standard tub. The bigger cost is usually the labor to build and waterproof the shower, not the fixture itself.

Does a curbless walk-in shower cost more?

Yes. A curbless (zero-entry) shower requires recessing the drainage and precise floor sloping, which adds labor. The payoff is a safer, more accessible, and more modern shower — often worth it for aging-in-place plans.

FairBuild · Cost guide

Walk-In Shower Cost

Building or installing a walk-in shower — how the type you choose sets the price.

A walk-in shower is one of the most requested upgrades in the Mid-South, both for style and for aging-in-place accessibility. Cost depends heavily on how it's built.

The first question is whether you're building a walk-in shower where a tub used to be, or replacing an existing shower. That starting point — plus prefab versus tile — sets most of the price.

Typical Mid-South ranges

Prefab / acrylic

$6,000 – $10,000

Manufactured base and walls

Custom tile

$10,000 – $18,000

Tile walls, waterproofed pan

Curbless / zero-entry

$13,000 – $20,000+

Recessed drainage, larger opening

If you're removing a tub to build the shower, see the tub-to-shower conversion guide — drain relocation adds to these figures.

Cost by type of walk-in shower

A prefab or acrylic walk-in shower is the most budget-friendly path: the base and walls arrive manufactured and install relatively quickly. A custom tile shower costs more because it's built and waterproofed on site by skilled trades.

Curbless (zero-entry) showers sit at the top of the range. Removing the curb means recessing the floor drainage and getting the slope exactly right — excellent for accessibility, but more labor.

What drives the cost

Beyond shower type, the big variables are waterproofing quality, glass (a frameless glass panel or door adds cost), overall size, and whether you want a bench, niche, or multiple shower heads.

Getting waterproofing right is not optional — it's what prevents the leaks and mold that turn a nice shower into a structural problem. It's one place cutting cost rarely pays off.

Accessibility and aging in place

Many Mid-South homeowners build a walk-in shower specifically to age in place. A curbless entry, a built-in bench, grab bars, and a handheld shower head make a bathroom safer to use for decades.

These features add cost up front but are far cheaper to build into a remodel now than to retrofit later.

See where your project lands in real Mid-South pricing.

Adjust scope, size, finish, and complexity for an itemized low-to-high range.

Open the cost calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to build a walk-in shower?: In the Mid-South, a walk-in shower generally runs about $6,000–$10,000 for a prefab or acrylic unit and $10,000–$18,000 for custom tile. Curbless, zero-entry designs typically start around $13,000 and go up with size and glass.
Is a walk-in shower cheaper than a bathtub?: A basic walk-in shower can be comparable to a mid-range tub, but a fully tiled or curbless shower usually costs more than installing a standard tub. The bigger cost is usually the labor to build and waterproof the shower, not the fixture itself.
Does a curbless walk-in shower cost more?: Yes. A curbless (zero-entry) shower requires recessing the drainage and precise floor sloping, which adds labor. The payoff is a safer, more accessible, and more modern shower — often worth it for aging-in-place plans.