So, nobody’s EVER called you a ‘robber baron’ or a ‘titan of industry!’
And if the terms affluent, wealthy, well to do, or well-heeled (and no, I’m NOT talking about the heel attached to your foot) have never been used to describe you, you’re like most Americans.
Money IS NOT falling off trees onto your front lawn (despite what your kids think). You’ve got to keep an eye on your budget, or (literally) pay the consequences.
And if you’re now feeling forced to replace your shower (or tub/shower combo) because the fiberglass surround is disgusting, or the tile grout joints are turning colors you didn’t even know were possible, you may be wondering, what’s the least expensive way I can redo my shower? However, you also know you don’t want to end up with a shower which is a pile of junk a couple of years later. If this describes your situation you’ve come to the right article.
With home prices at an all-time high, gas prices more expensive than you’d like, and the kids always NEEDING (yes, that’s the term they use!) one thing or another, it seems the budget for home improvement keeps getting squeezed.
So, the question is how can you save on a shower remodel AND get the least expensive shower (or the best value shower) without installing a system which looks like you got it from the budget racks of a home center store?
Read the 10 tips below to get the least expensive shower WITHOUT ending up with a horrible looking (and poorly functioning) system a couple years later.
Tip #1 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Buy a shower insert vs. a custom tile shower
While there are amazing designs you can create with tile – installing tile showers are time consuming (that’s code word for it’ll cost you a BUNCH of money if you’re not DIYing the job) and can be a maintenance PIA.
A better option is to buy a shower insert. The cheapest ones you’ll find at home center stores in standard sizes. They include molded shower panels and shower pans made of fiberglass or acrylic.
However, if you want to step it up a notch – or need a custom size you can’t find at the home center, then look for shower pans which can be ‘trimmed to size’ or for wall panels with click-lock systems. These products look more realistic and can be built for custom sizes without being more costly than standard sizes. For example, with 2’ x 8’ click/lock wall panels the same wall panel kit can be used for a 60” x 32” tub to shower conversion and also used for a custom shower measuring up to 72” x 48”. This can help save a lot of money if you have a custom size.
Tip #2 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Replace the ‘same with the same.’ Don’t move your plumbing and vanity.
It can be fun thinking about a complete reconfiguration of your bathroom. However, if you’re looking for the least expensive shower (or tub to shower conversion) – this WILL NOT be the way to go.
When you start moving plumbing –you’ll need a professional plumber. And pro plumbers aren’t cheap.
Keeping your layout the same keeps costs in line.
However, and exception to this would be if you have a custom tile shower today – it can be more cost-effective to replace it with a standard sized shower which are available from stock and manufactured in larger quantities. Talk to a shower design specialist to see what is (and what is not) possible.
Tip #3 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Buy shorter wall surround panels.
Sure – it’d be nice to cover your shower walls with surround panels which reach the ceiling (to minimize maintenance and finishing work when you demo the existing system). However, if you’re looking for the least expensive shower – then you’ll find shorter surrounds (60” for tub surrounds and 78” to 80” for shower surrounds) might be the option you’re forced to choose.
You’ll need to lessen expectations to keep costs down.
Tip #4 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– DIY where you can’t screw up too bad.
It’s been said “a wise man – or wise woman – knows what they don’t know.” And if we’re being honest we’ve all committed DIY malpractice once or twice in our lives. And yes, I still remember replacing carpet 3 times (in the same room) when I kept messing up as a first time home-moaner – and yes that’s spelled correctly!
So, if you’re looking for the least expensive shower see where you can DIY without making catastrophic errors. Do your own demo or install your own shower surround panels. When it comes to plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, hire a professional who should be less likely to SCREW IT UP!
And before taking on the DIY project – ask your supplier if the warranty is voided if a product you’re looking to buy is not installed by a professional. That’s the ‘fine print’ some e-commerce sites throw in to wiggle out of problems.
Tip #5 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Get shower wall inserts with storage and safety features built into the panels…. assuming these features will work for you.
One of the nice things about ‘store-bought’ molded fiberglass shower surround panels is many have niches built into the wall for storage. And while these pre-molded panels can save you from buying shelves and niches which are usually added to more expensive systems, you need to make sure IF the storage spaces are in the right location (not too high or too low) AND (maybe most importantly) IF they have anything built into the panels which can help someone from falling.
Grab bars are almost never included in cheap shower surround systems. And if you think you may need them down the road install backer board behind your wall panels and (if it’s possible) install the grab bars onto the system during installation. This will save the cost of a crew coming back to do this later, or more importantly the MUCH LARGER COST of a hospital stay should a loved one fall in the shower before you ‘get around’ to adding grab bars.
Tip #6 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Buy your shower pan at a home center…. but remember some ‘Latin’ BEFORE you do it!
There’s a famous Latin phrase (and no, it’s not fun like Cinco de Mayo) to caution against buying stupid things. This saying is caveat emptor (which means – let the buyer beware).
And when it comes to shower pans (A.K.A. shower bases) this is one place – while it’s not the ‘sexy part of the shower’ unlike the wall surrounds or glass shower doors) – it’s literally foundational for a shower which will last, can be used by all members of your family, and won’t leak.
And while the least expensive shower will often use a ‘standard height’ inexpensive shower pan (which has a 3” to 4” tall curb and is made of fiberglass), this may not be the smartest option for you. And here’s why:
If the shower pan fails it can not only cause leaking, but it’ll require the wall surrounds and a glass door be removed to replace it. OUCH, that’ll be expensive!
So, what can you do to make sure your cost-effective shower pan won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later causing you to get a ‘BOBO’ (‘er that’s the opposite of BOGO. BOBO is where you buy one shower, then buy another shower a few years later)?
First, see what the warranty of the shower pan is.
Second, see if it’s sturdy. If possible, step on the pan to see how much flex it has before plunking down your hard-earned money.
Third, check the curb height. Many people, want (or eventually need) an ‘age in place’ shower so they aren’t forced to move to assisted living – and the height to step in needs to be as short as possible. Or better yet get a pan with a removable ramp kit option if you need to convert to a roll in shower down the road.
Tip #7 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Buy a shorter, thinner, or less costly type of glass shower door.
If you’ve been fighting with your framed, builder-supplied, wobbly shower doors for years but can’t afford to spend a ton of money on the door for this remodel (and definitely don’t want shower curtains) you may be wondering what you can do. Here’s a few ideas:
Look for a semi-frameless shower door with glass which is slightly thicker (maybe ¼” thick) than your nasty ‘builder-door’ is today.
Use a shorter glass shower door especially if you’re choosing a pivot door which won’t require the taller members of the family to duck to get in.
And lastly ask if glass surface protection has been added to the glass to minimize the problems of hard water spotting becoming permanently embedded in your glass doors.
Tip #8 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Don’t buy a la carte.’ Buy a complete shower replacement kit.
You know when you get the menu at a fancy restaurant and the sides are all al la carte, to be prepared to pay out the nose (or be ready to add to your already too large balances on the 30% interest rate credit cards!).
When you need to buy each item separately (whether it’s at a fancy restaurant or buying shower remodeling supplies) it’s usually not good for your budget. So, how can you lessen the impacts a la carte pricing?
Research ‘complete alcove shower kits.’ Shower replacement kits include the shower pan, wall surrounds, and glass shower doors. When they’re bought together you’ll get a discount vs. buying items separately. And if they’re being shipped to you, transportation costs will be less.
Tip #9 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Don’t insist on the best known products being installed by the biggest companies.
If you’re looking to hire a contractor to do your shower remodel – or bathtub to shower conversion – the ‘path of least resistance’ is to call the company’s which are advertised EVERYWHERE. You see them at home shows and county fairs. You see them on TV. And now they’re even ‘Internet stalking’ you because you searched for shower remodeling contractor a few months ago.
And while there is comfort in choosing well-known companies – what most people don’t realize is THEY are paying for the cost of the big company’s advertising and marketing in the form of higher prices (even though these companies are happy to help you finance their higher priced job).
Before you fall victim to the best-known company with a slick ‘one-call-close’ ‘bath-in-a-day’ salesperson, get competitive quotes. The smaller or mid-sized companies can often provide the same products for less money because their overhead, sales and marketing costs are lower.
Tip #10 for the least expensive shower (which won’t be a pile of junk a couple of years later)– Don’t use built in bench seats or custom glass doors.
When it comes to keeping costs down there are two shower features which are seldom a good idea.
The first is built in bench seats. Built in seats take up valuable space and are difficult to build around. So, if you need a shower seat – install backer board with a fold down seat – or get a shower chair.
The second feature which is seldom cost-effective is custom shower glass. This requires expert installation (because walls are not often square and plumb) and is more expensive than standard shower doors. Before you get stuck needing custom glass, see if it’s possible to reframe to make your shower to use a standard sized shower door.
So, do you now have ideas for a lower cost shower which WILL NOT be a pile of junk a few years later? Can our team assist with questions, wholesale pricing, or a referral to a shower remodeling contractor?
I hope this article has given you practical tips for a lower priced shower which you won’t be embarrassed (and worried about it failing) a few years later.
And while I tried to answer many of the factors about shower remodeling – what you need is specific advice about your specific shower.
Thanks for reading and learning about the least expensive way to remodel a shower – without buying a cheap system which fails shortly thereafter. There’s more to this subject than meets the eye, and I hope my article has shed light how to figure out the best system for you.
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
