3×5 Shower Replacement Cost (2026): $6,046 to $15,972
Replacing a 3×5 shower (also written 5x3 or 60x36) costs about $6,046 to $9,302 for an acrylic base with a surround kit up to $10,382 to $15,972 for tile walls on a mud-bed pan. The same 60x36 shower torn out and rebuilt five ways, from a multi-piece fiberglass remodel unit to tile on a mud-bed pan, with add-ons and the problems that show up once the old shower is out. Every quantity, rate and formula shown.
Describe the job
Priced at job cost
Build E in the Clamp app: the description typed the way you would say it, then the estimate it prices at job cost, $7,985.94, the same total as the table below. Illustration of the Clamp app.
Five builds, side by side
Same room, same 60x36 footprint, same demolition. Only the shower changes.
| Build | Job cost | Labor | Crew hours | Materials | Illustrative selling price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Multi-piece remodel unit | $4,801 | $2,804 | 37 to 51 h | $1,772 | $6,241 to $9,602 |
| B. Acrylic base + surround kit | $4,651 | $2,804 | 37 to 51 h | $1,622 | $6,046 to $9,302 |
| C. Tile walls, acrylic base | $6,375 | $2,925 | 34 to 49 h | $2,389 | $8,288 to $12,750 |
| D. Tile walls, foam tray pan | $7,912 | $4,116 | 47 to 65 h | $3,197 | $10,286 to $15,824 |
| E. Tile walls, mud-bed pan | $7,986 | $4,720 | 51 to 69 h | $2,667 | $10,382 to $15,972 |
Materials include allowances. Illustrative selling price is the job cost at a 30% to 100% markup; your price depends on your own overhead and profit. Labor hours are a planning range and include setup, daily cleanup and material runs; they are never a charge to the customer. Permit and inspection fees are not included; requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Which price is closer to yours?
- Lean, +30%: A handyman or owner-operator who does the work with a small crew and no office. Usually the lowest quote. The owner handles scheduling, questions and callbacks around the work itself.
- Standard, +50%: A remodeling company with a crew, an office, insurance and someone to answer the phone. Close to the average remodeler's overhead in the National Association of Home Builders cost-of-doing-business survey.
- Full-Service, +100%: A design-build firm with designers, a salesperson and a project manager who runs the job. The extra pays for planning, coordination and one point of contact from design to final inspection.
Higher markup means more business behind the job, not by itself better work, and a lower markup is not by itself a better deal. For contractors: how each markup splits into overhead and profit is in the overhead categories guide.
Each build in detail
A. Multi-piece remodel unit: $4,801
Old tile shower out, a three- or four-piece fiberglass remodel unit set direct to the studs, new valve and trim. Labor is $2,804 of the $4,801 job cost, or 58.4%. It is about 37 to 51 hours of work, including setup, daily cleanup and material runs.
Labor cost by trade
Labor only. Materials, allowances and dump fees are in the line items below. Hours are person-hours at typical production from Clamp’s labor hours catalog, as a range: a planning figure, not a schedule and not a charge to the customer.
| Trade | Hours | Labor cost | Lean×1.30 | Standard×1.50 | Full-Service×2.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | 9 to 15 h | $911 | $1,184 | $1,367 | $1,822 |
| Plumbing | 11 to 20 h | $1,275 | $1,657 | $1,913 | $2,550 |
| Drywall | 6 to 13 h | $569 | $740 | $853 | $1,138 |
| Painting | under 1 h | $49 | $64 | $73 | $98 |
| Setup, cleanup and material runs | 2 to 9 h | in the prices | |||
| All labor | 37 to 51 h | $2,804 | $3,645 | $4,206 | $5,608 |
Every line item
Labor $2,804 + materials and allowances $1,772 + dump fees and other $225 = $4,801 direct job cost. Hours are person-hours at typical production, on labor rows only, and the direct-cost row adds about 15% for setup, daily cleanup and material runs; an allowance or material row names the labor line that installs it, and a subcontract row has none, because the sub’s price includes their own time. Some labor quantities include a difficulty factor, so they can exceed the measured area; each row’s derivation is in the downloadable data.
| Item | Qty | Unit | Hours | Labor | Material | Line cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | ||||||
| Bathroom Fixture Removal | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Tile Floor Removal | 15 | sf | 1 to 2 h | $68 | $0 | $68 |
| Debris Haul-Off (per Load) | 1 | ea | $0 | $0 | $225 | |
| Wall Tile Removal | 88 | sf | 4 to 9 h | $418 | $0 | $418 |
| Site Protection, One Room (per job) | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,136 | ||||
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,136 | ||||
| Plumbing | ||||||
| Multi-Piece Remodel Shower Unit AllowanceLabor on: Shower Unit Install Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $1,100 | $1,100 | |
| Shower Valve Trim AllowanceLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $285 | $285 | |
| Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $0 | $425 |
| Shower Unit Install Labor | 1 | ea | 7 to 17 h | $850 | $0 | $850 |
| Shower Valve Rough-In BodyLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $200 | $200 | |
| Plumbing subtotal | 11 to 20 h | $2,860 | ||||
| Plumbing subtotal | 11 to 20 h | $2,860 | ||||
| Drywall | ||||||
| Drywall Patch Repair | 4 | ea | 5 to 11 h | $500 | $0 | $500 |
| Drywall Skim Coat MaterialsLabor on: Skim Coat Labor | 60 | sf | $0 | $19 | $19 | |
| Skim Coat Labor | 60 | sf | 1 to 3 h | $69 | $0 | $69 |
| Drywall subtotal | 6 to 13 h | $588 | ||||
| Drywall subtotal | 6 to 13 h | $588 | ||||
| Painting | ||||||
| Interior Paint Apply Labor | 60 | sf | under 1 h | $36 | $0 | $36 |
| Premium Paint AllowanceLabor on: Interior Paint Apply Labor | 0.38 | gallon | $0 | $18 | $18 | |
| Paint Prep Labor | 60 | sf | under 1 h | $13 | $0 | $13 |
| Paint Sundries Materials | 1 | ls | $0 | $150 | $150 | |
| Painting subtotal | under 1 h | $217 | ||||
| Painting subtotal | under 1 h | $217 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 37 to 51 h | $4,801 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 37 to 51 h | $4,801 | ||||
B. Acrylic base + surround kit: $4,651
Acrylic base with a three-panel acrylic surround glued to new backer, new valve and trim. Labor is $2,804 of the $4,651 job cost, or 60.3%. It is about 37 to 51 hours of work, including setup, daily cleanup and material runs.
Labor cost by trade
Labor only. Materials, allowances and dump fees are in the line items below. Hours are person-hours at typical production from Clamp’s labor hours catalog, as a range: a planning figure, not a schedule and not a charge to the customer.
| Trade | Hours | Labor cost | Lean×1.30 | Standard×1.50 | Full-Service×2.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | 9 to 15 h | $911 | $1,184 | $1,367 | $1,822 |
| Plumbing | 11 to 20 h | $1,275 | $1,657 | $1,913 | $2,550 |
| Drywall | 6 to 13 h | $569 | $740 | $853 | $1,138 |
| Painting | under 1 h | $49 | $64 | $73 | $98 |
| Setup, cleanup and material runs | 2 to 9 h | in the prices | |||
| All labor | 37 to 51 h | $2,804 | $3,645 | $4,206 | $5,608 |
Every line item
Labor $2,804 + materials and allowances $1,622 + dump fees and other $225 = $4,651 direct job cost. Hours are person-hours at typical production, on labor rows only, and the direct-cost row adds about 15% for setup, daily cleanup and material runs; an allowance or material row names the labor line that installs it, and a subcontract row has none, because the sub’s price includes their own time. Some labor quantities include a difficulty factor, so they can exceed the measured area; each row’s derivation is in the downloadable data.
| Item | Qty | Unit | Hours | Labor | Material | Line cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | ||||||
| Bathroom Fixture Removal | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Tile Floor Removal | 15 | sf | 1 to 2 h | $68 | $0 | $68 |
| Debris Haul-Off (per Load) | 1 | ea | $0 | $0 | $225 | |
| Wall Tile Removal | 88 | sf | 4 to 9 h | $418 | $0 | $418 |
| Site Protection, One Room (per job) | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,136 | ||||
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,136 | ||||
| Plumbing | ||||||
| Shower Base and Surround Kit AllowanceLabor on: Shower Unit Install Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $950 | $950 | |
| Shower Valve Trim AllowanceLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $285 | $285 | |
| Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $0 | $425 |
| Shower Unit Install Labor | 1 | ea | 7 to 17 h | $850 | $0 | $850 |
| Shower Valve Rough-In BodyLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $200 | $200 | |
| Plumbing subtotal | 11 to 20 h | $2,710 | ||||
| Plumbing subtotal | 11 to 20 h | $2,710 | ||||
| Drywall | ||||||
| Drywall Patch Repair | 4 | ea | 5 to 11 h | $500 | $0 | $500 |
| Drywall Skim Coat MaterialsLabor on: Skim Coat Labor | 60 | sf | $0 | $19 | $19 | |
| Skim Coat Labor | 60 | sf | 1 to 3 h | $69 | $0 | $69 |
| Drywall subtotal | 6 to 13 h | $588 | ||||
| Drywall subtotal | 6 to 13 h | $588 | ||||
| Painting | ||||||
| Interior Paint Apply Labor | 60 | sf | under 1 h | $36 | $0 | $36 |
| Premium Paint AllowanceLabor on: Interior Paint Apply Labor | 0.38 | gallon | $0 | $18 | $18 | |
| Paint Prep Labor | 60 | sf | under 1 h | $13 | $0 | $13 |
| Paint Sundries Materials | 1 | ls | $0 | $150 | $150 | |
| Painting subtotal | under 1 h | $217 | ||||
| Painting subtotal | under 1 h | $217 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 37 to 51 h | $4,651 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 37 to 51 h | $4,651 | ||||
C. Tile walls, acrylic base: $6,375
Tiled walls to the ceiling over foam board with sealed seams, on a factory acrylic base. All the wall board is new, because the old shower comes out to the studs. Labor is $2,925 of the $6,375 job cost, or 45.9%. It is about 34 to 49 hours of work, including setup, daily cleanup and material runs.
Labor cost by trade
Labor only. Materials, allowances and dump fees are in the line items below. Hours are person-hours at typical production from Clamp’s labor hours catalog, as a range: a planning figure, not a schedule and not a charge to the customer.
| Trade | Hours | Labor cost | Lean×1.30 | Standard×1.50 | Full-Service×2.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | 9 to 15 h | $911 | $1,184 | $1,367 | $1,822 |
| Plumbing | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $553 | $638 | $850 |
| Tile | 14 to 26 h | $1,589 | $2,066 | $2,383 | $3,178 |
| Setup, cleanup and material runs | 2 to 9 h | in the prices | |||
| All labor | 34 to 49 h | $2,925 | $3,803 | $4,388 | $5,850 |
Every line item
Labor $2,925 + materials and allowances $2,389 + dump fees and other $1,061 = $6,375 direct job cost. Hours are person-hours at typical production, on labor rows only, and the direct-cost row adds about 15% for setup, daily cleanup and material runs; an allowance or material row names the labor line that installs it, and a subcontract row has none, because the sub’s price includes their own time. Some labor quantities include a difficulty factor, so they can exceed the measured area; each row’s derivation is in the downloadable data.
| Item | Qty | Unit | Hours | Labor | Material | Line cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | ||||||
| Bathroom Fixture Removal | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Tile Floor Removal | 15 | sf | 1 to 2 h | $68 | $0 | $68 |
| Debris Haul-Off (per Load) | 1 | ea | $0 | $0 | $225 | |
| Wall Tile Removal | 88 | sf | 4 to 9 h | $418 | $0 | $418 |
| Site Protection, One Room (per job) | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,136 | ||||
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,136 | ||||
| Plumbing | ||||||
| Shower Valve Trim AllowanceLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $285 | $285 | |
| Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $0 | $425 |
| Shower Valve Rough-In BodyLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $200 | $200 | |
| Plumbing subtotal | 2 to 5 h | $910 | ||||
| Plumbing subtotal | 2 to 5 h | $910 | ||||
| Tile | ||||||
| Tile Grout Install Labor | 88 | sf | 1 to 4 h | $114 | $0 | $114 |
| Tile Grout MaterialsLabor on: Tile Grout Install Labor | 88 | sf | $0 | $40 | $40 | |
| Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 88 | sf | 10 to 22 h | $1,188 | $0 | $1,188 |
| Bath Tile Setting MaterialsLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 96.8 | sf | $0 | $82 | $82 | |
| Wall Tile Material AllowanceLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 96.8 | sf | $0 | $1,307 | $1,307 | |
| Shower Pan Install Labor | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $287 | $0 | $287 |
| Shower Pan MaterialsLabor on: Shower Pan Install Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $475 | $475 | |
| Shower Wall Foam Board, Sealant Seams (Wedi, GoBoard), Installed | 88 | sf | $0 | $0 | $836 | |
| Tile subtotal | 14 to 26 h | $4,329 | ||||
| Tile subtotal | 14 to 26 h | $4,329 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 34 to 49 h | $6,375 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 34 to 49 h | $6,375 | ||||
D. Tile walls, foam tray pan: $7,912
Tiled walls and a tiled floor on a sloped foam tray with a bonded membrane. All wall backer is new, because the old shower comes out to the studs. Labor is $4,116 of the $7,912 job cost, or 52.0%. It is about 47 to 65 hours of work, including setup, daily cleanup and material runs.
Labor cost by trade
Labor only. Materials, allowances and dump fees are in the line items below. Hours are person-hours at typical production from Clamp’s labor hours catalog, as a range: a planning figure, not a schedule and not a charge to the customer.
| Trade | Hours | Labor cost | Lean×1.30 | Standard×1.50 | Full-Service×2.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | 9 to 15 h | $910 | $1,183 | $1,365 | $1,820 |
| Plumbing | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $553 | $638 | $850 |
| Tile | 25 to 40 h | $2,781 | $3,615 | $4,171 | $5,562 |
| Setup, cleanup and material runs | 3 to 11 h | in the prices | |||
| All labor | 47 to 65 h | $4,116 | $5,351 | $6,174 | $8,232 |
Every line item
Labor $4,116 + materials and allowances $3,197 + dump fees and other $599 = $7,912 direct job cost. Hours are person-hours at typical production, on labor rows only, and the direct-cost row adds about 15% for setup, daily cleanup and material runs; an allowance or material row names the labor line that installs it, and a subcontract row has none, because the sub’s price includes their own time. Some labor quantities include a difficulty factor, so they can exceed the measured area; each row’s derivation is in the downloadable data.
| Item | Qty | Unit | Hours | Labor | Material | Line cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | ||||||
| Bathroom Fixture Removal | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Tile Floor Removal | 15 | sf | 1 to 2 h | $67 | $0 | $67 |
| Debris Haul-Off (per Load) | 1 | ea | $0 | $0 | $225 | |
| Wall Tile Removal | 88 | sf | 4 to 9 h | $418 | $0 | $418 |
| Site Protection, One Room (per job) | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,135 | ||||
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,135 | ||||
| Plumbing | ||||||
| Shower Valve Trim AllowanceLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $285 | $285 | |
| Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $0 | $425 |
| Shower Valve Rough-In BodyLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $200 | $200 | |
| Plumbing subtotal | 2 to 5 h | $910 | ||||
| Plumbing subtotal | 2 to 5 h | $910 | ||||
| Tile | ||||||
| Tile Grout Install Labor | 103 | sf | 1 to 4 h | $134 | $0 | $134 |
| Tile Grout MaterialsLabor on: Tile Grout Install Labor | 103 | sf | $0 | $46 | $46 | |
| Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 103 | sf | 12 to 26 h | $1,428 | $0 | $1,428 |
| Floor Tile Material AllowanceLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 16.5 | sf | $0 | $182 | $182 | |
| Bath Tile Setting MaterialsLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 113.3 | sf | $0 | $96 | $96 | |
| Tile Waterproofing Install Labor | 88 | sf | 3 to 8 h | $308 | $0 | $308 |
| Bath Tile Waterproofing MaterialsLabor on: Tile Waterproofing Install Labor | 88 | sf | $0 | $286 | $286 | |
| Wall Tile Material AllowanceLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 96.8 | sf | $0 | $1,307 | $1,307 | |
| Tile Cement Board Substrate, Installed (per sf) | 88 | sf | $0 | $0 | $374 | |
| Shower Curb Materials | 1 | ea | $0 | $145 | $145 | |
| Shower Flood Test Labor | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $250 | $0 | $250 |
| Shower Pan Install Labor | 1 | ea | 2 to 6 h | $661 | $0 | $661 |
| Shower Pan MaterialsLabor on: Shower Pan Install Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $650 | $650 | |
| Tile subtotal | 25 to 40 h | $5,867 | ||||
| Tile subtotal | 25 to 40 h | $5,867 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 47 to 65 h | $7,912 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 47 to 65 h | $7,912 | ||||
E. Tile walls, mud-bed pan: $7,986
Tiled walls and a tiled floor on a site-built mortar bed, with a bonded sheet membrane and a bonding-flange drain instead of a liner. All wall backer is new, because the old shower comes out to the studs. Labor is $4,720 of the $7,986 job cost, or 59.1%. It is about 51 to 69 hours of work, including setup, daily cleanup and material runs.
Labor cost by trade
Labor only. Materials, allowances and dump fees are in the line items below. Hours are person-hours at typical production from Clamp’s labor hours catalog, as a range: a planning figure, not a schedule and not a charge to the customer.
| Trade | Hours | Labor cost | Lean×1.30 | Standard×1.50 | Full-Service×2.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | 9 to 15 h | $910 | $1,183 | $1,365 | $1,820 |
| Plumbing | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $553 | $638 | $850 |
| Tile | 28 to 44 h | $3,385 | $4,400 | $5,077 | $6,770 |
| Setup, cleanup and material runs | 3 to 12 h | in the prices | |||
| All labor | 51 to 69 h | $4,720 | $6,136 | $7,080 | $9,440 |
Every line item
Labor $4,720 + materials and allowances $2,667 + dump fees and other $599 = $7,986 direct job cost. Hours are person-hours at typical production, on labor rows only, and the direct-cost row adds about 15% for setup, daily cleanup and material runs; an allowance or material row names the labor line that installs it, and a subcontract row has none, because the sub’s price includes their own time. Some labor quantities include a difficulty factor, so they can exceed the measured area; each row’s derivation is in the downloadable data.
| Item | Qty | Unit | Hours | Labor | Material | Line cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Prep | ||||||
| Bathroom Fixture Removal | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Tile Floor Removal | 15 | sf | 1 to 2 h | $67 | $0 | $67 |
| Debris Haul-Off (per Load) | 1 | ea | $0 | $0 | $225 | |
| Wall Tile Removal | 88 | sf | 4 to 9 h | $418 | $0 | $418 |
| Site Protection, One Room (per job) | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,135 | ||||
| Demo & Prep subtotal | 9 to 15 h | $1,135 | ||||
| Plumbing | ||||||
| Shower Valve Trim AllowanceLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $285 | $285 | |
| Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | 2 to 5 h | $425 | $0 | $425 |
| Shower Valve Rough-In BodyLabor on: Shower Valve Set and Trim Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $200 | $200 | |
| Plumbing subtotal | 2 to 5 h | $910 | ||||
| Plumbing subtotal | 2 to 5 h | $910 | ||||
| Tile | ||||||
| Tile Grout Install Labor | 103 | sf | 1 to 4 h | $134 | $0 | $134 |
| Tile Grout MaterialsLabor on: Tile Grout Install Labor | 103 | sf | $0 | $46 | $46 | |
| Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 103 | sf | 12 to 26 h | $1,428 | $0 | $1,428 |
| Floor Tile Material AllowanceLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 16.5 | sf | $0 | $182 | $182 | |
| Bath Tile Setting MaterialsLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 113.3 | sf | $0 | $96 | $96 | |
| Tile Waterproofing Install Labor | 88 | sf | 3 to 8 h | $308 | $0 | $308 |
| Bath Tile Waterproofing MaterialsLabor on: Tile Waterproofing Install Labor | 88 | sf | $0 | $286 | $286 | |
| Wall Tile Material AllowanceLabor on: Bathroom Tile Install Labor | 96.8 | sf | $0 | $1,307 | $1,307 | |
| Tile Cement Board Substrate, Installed (per sf) | 88 | sf | $0 | $0 | $374 | |
| Shower Flood Test Labor | 1 | ea | 1 to 3 h | $250 | $0 | $250 |
| Shower Pan Install Labor | 1 | ea | 5 to 11 h | $1,265 | $0 | $1,265 |
| Shower Pan MaterialsLabor on: Shower Pan Install Labor | 1 | ea | $0 | $265 | $265 | |
| Tile subtotal | 28 to 44 h | $5,941 | ||||
| Tile subtotal | 28 to 44 h | $5,941 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 51 to 69 h | $7,986 | ||||
| DIRECT JOB COST | 51 to 69 h | $7,986 | ||||
Add-ons
Each add-on is added to build E (tile walls, mud-bed pan) and priced as one change to that same estimate. A range appears where the add-on includes an allowance, since the fixture or glass you pick sets the price.
| Add-on | Adds to job cost |
|---|---|
| Framed, tiled niche, one shelf | $563 to $710 |
| Framed, tiled niche, two shelves | $738 to $885 |
| Prefab foam niche insert, tiled in | $638 to $785 |
| Rain head plus handheld, on a diverter | $703 to $2,088 |
| Curtain on a fixed rod | $190 to $353 |
| Framed glass sliding door | $437 to $803 |
| Semi-frameless glass door and panel | $1,059 to $2,045 |
| Frameless 3/8 inch glass door and panel | $1,292 to $2,655 |
| Steam package, with the frameless door made vapor-tight and a transom (on top of the frameless door) | $5,457 to $12,773 |
The glass rows replace each other, and the curtain replaces glass. Heavy frameless glass can need wall blocking, which is cheap while the walls are open and expensive after tile. Steam needs a sealed enclosure with a waterproofed, sloped ceiling, so it is priced on top of the frameless door.
Problems found once the old work is out
What it adds to the job cost when the wall or floor tells you something the walkthrough could not.
| Found | Adds to job cost |
|---|---|
| Rotted subfloor under the pan, about 12 square feet | $168 |
| Drain moved to center the new pan | $745 |
| Valve moved to a new height or location | $1,100 |
| Pre-1978 home, lead-safe practices | $685 |
Plaster and lath behind the old wall tile comes out with the tile, so plaster walls add nothing to these builds.
Methodology & reproducibility
5 snapshots, one per build. Each build is frozen from its own estimate run with the same old work, system type and takeoff pinned, so the builds differ only in what is being built. Add-ons and problems found are each one stated change on build E, priced the same way.
Direct cost equals the sum of each row’s rounded quantity × (labor + material + other). Amounts are shown in whole dollars; every column adds to its total.
Scope selection, prose accuracy, arithmetic and provenance mapping reviewed; not independent market-rate verification.
- shower-3x5-multi-piece-unit/v2: JSON, CSV, field dictionary
- shower-3x5-surround-kit/v2: JSON, CSV, field dictionary
- shower-3x5-tile-acrylic-base/v2: JSON, CSV, field dictionary
- shower-3x5-tile-foam-tray/v2: JSON, CSV, field dictionary
- shower-3x5-tile-mud-bed/v2: JSON, CSV, field dictionary
Questions
Is a 5x3 shower the same as a 3x5?
Yes. Both describe a 60x36 inch shower, the size that replaces a standard tub. This page prices that footprint.
How does this compare with a full bathroom remodel?
This page prices only the shower. The published 5×8 bathroom remodel replaces the tub with a tiled surround, the vanity, toilet, fan, lighting, floor tile and paint, for a direct job cost of $11,799.
How much labor is in a 60x36 shower replacement?
In these builds the labor lines run from $2,804 for a multi-piece remodel unit to $4,720 for tile on a mud-bed pan, and the wall board is priced installed, with its labor inside that line. Tile is where the labor goes: the wall board, waterproofing, the pan, the curb and the tile itself.
Where does the cost difference between tile and fiberglass come from?
Mostly labor. A multi-piece unit is set and connected in a day; a tiled shower adds new waterproofed walls, a pan, a curb, tile and grout. Build C, the cheapest tile build, costs $6,375 against $4,801 for the multi-piece unit.
Is a glass door included?
No. Every build is priced without a door so the builds compare evenly. A framed sliding door adds $623, semi-frameless $1,520, frameless $1,905, and a curtain on a fixed rod $255.
What does a mud-bed pan cost compared with a foam tray?
In these builds the mud bed costs $74 more than the foam tray. The mortar bed takes more labor; the foam tray costs more in materials and saves time.
What changes if the drain has to move?
Moving the drain to center a new pan adds $745 to the job cost in this example, before any floor framing repair. Rotted subfloor under the pan adds $168 for about 12 square feet.
Are permits included?
No. Permit and inspection fees are not included in any total on this page. Many jurisdictions require a plumbing permit when the valve is replaced, so check locally.
Why is the direct job cost lower than a contractor's price?
Direct job cost is labor and materials only. A contractor's price adds overhead and profit on top; at the illustrative 30% to 100% markups on this page, build E sells for $10,382 to $15,972.
Sources & provenance
- 5×8 Bathroom Remodel v3 reviewed snapshot Clamp Research
- Multi-piece remodel unit reviewed snapshot Clamp Research
- Acrylic base + surround kit reviewed snapshot Clamp Research
- Tile walls, acrylic base reviewed snapshot Clamp Research
- Tile walls, foam tray pan reviewed snapshot Clamp Research
- Tile walls, mud-bed pan reviewed snapshot Clamp Research