You want to remodel your shower but the price of EVERYTHING today is so out of hand.
Gas prices have increased over a $1 a gallon in the last month.
Your trip to the grocery store is NOT getting cheaper.
Your kids and grandkids have more ‘needs’ than you can shake a stick at.
And this doesn’t even take into account (according to the L. A. Times) remodeling costs have gone up over 62% over the last 10 years (and quite frankly this stat feels low to me). In addition, the ability to find quality craftsmen (or craftswomen) is a needle in a haystack experience.
And while you considered for a fleeting moment to ditch this shower remodeling idea and buy a new home, then you visited builder model homes, and looked at the current mortgage rates, and now you really know it makes more sense to improve than move.
And while your champagne tastes pull you towards a high-end shower – your pocketbook (and beer budget) knows that ain’t happen’!
So, what can you do to get the high end shower look you desire, along with the function you require, without depleting your life savings?
In this article, I’ll give you 10 practical tips to accomplish this goal without breaking (or breaking into) your bank.
Tip #1 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Look for easy (and time-effective) to install shower wall surrounds and shower pans
Often the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel is the shower. And the reason the shower is so doggone expensive is many people choose tile walls and a tile base. And the high cost of tile job isn’t as much impacted by the cost of the tiles, it’s the labor cost of installing tile, cutting the pieces to meet your design, and grouting the wall and floor (not to mention the cost to maintain the tile).
The best way to create a high end look without the high end price is to choose an affordable, yet realistic looking shower surround system with tile and stone looks which allows you to eliminate actual tile.
One smart option are rigid PVC panels. They not only have CNC routed ‘faux tile’ grout joints you NEVER (and you can say that again) have to clean, but they look realistic. And since they’re made in 36” x 96” sections which click and lock together, you can make any size shower without buying custom shower wall panels (even if you have a custom size). In addition, they install far quicker than tile.
And if you’re looking to reduce labor costs (and concerns of a leaking shower floor) with an upscale flair, solid stone shower pans can be the answer. There’s even sizes which are perfect for tub to shower conversions. And it’s nice to know they’re trimmable, which can – in certain cases – save you from the cost of a custom shower pan.
Tip #2 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Change the look, not the layout
Costs for showers (and your bathroom remodel) go up dramatically when you move the shower to another side of the room, reposition the toilet, or make a larger shower (and need a different drain location). Moving plumbing (which accompanies your shower or toilet) IS NOT a cheap date!
If you’re looking to keep your shower remodeling costs affordable, compare the cost of keeping the drain (and shower) in the same location (by using a custom shower pan if necessary) vs. (the plumbing costs to move the drain + the cost of a standard shower pan).
You’ll keep costs in line if you focus more on changing the look, vs. changing the shower/bathroom layout – and the plumbing costs which go with it.
Tip #3 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Think about ‘life-cycle costs’ and choose low maintenance products
Tile showers can look WON-DER-FUL right after you, or your contractor, finishes the job. However, this look goes downhill from there after your (not-as-neat-as-you’d-like) family uses the shower and waits for YOU to clean it (or for the imaginary butler or maid to get the job done for you).
Grout joints get dirty. Grout joints get moldy. Grout joints require maintenance which means your elbow grease and a scrub brush or paying someone to do it.
Tip #4 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Reduce ‘visual clutter’ with timeless (yet realistic) looks
To create a high end look – which’ll age well, understand a trendy design can be the enemy of long-term value (and protecting your ability to sell the home quickly if required in the future).
So, avoid trendy colors or patterns like 45 degree herringbone or small vertical tile designs.
Think classic and classy. Think big and bold when it comes to patterns.
For example, if you have a small bathroom, lighter colored marble or stone patterns in earth tone or white designs make sense. When choosing ‘faux grout joint looks’ – make sure the tile (or polished stone) patterns are larger to make even a small bathroom feel bigger.
Also, stay away from wall panels made in a mold (like fiberglass, acrylic, or cultured stone). They look cheap. Basically, they look like wall panels made in a mold… which they are!
Tip #5 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Focus on value, not cheap products
Perhaps now, more than ever, getting ‘value’ is essential. There’s always a ‘cheaper product’ – but cheap isn’t good if it doesn’t last.
When it comes to shower surround panels – I do NOT recommend using the cheapest 1/8” thick acrylic, fiberglass, or the ‘cheapest of them all’ F.R.P. (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) wall panels. And believe it or not, for installing a common-sized tub to shower conversion.
In this case I’d recommend mid-grade wall panels which’ll last. For example, .2” thick rigid PVC shower wall panels are nice. They’re 60% thicker than acrylic or fiberglass and priced far more reasonably than the thickest wall panels like porcelain or cultured stone.
And when it comes to shower bases, SMC (Sheet Molded Compound) shower pans combine strength, ease of cleaning and durability. Sure, they’re NOT as exciting as cultured granite or colored stone shower pans, but the reality is wall surrounds command much more attention because they’re at eye level vs. the cost of a decorative colored shower pan.
The most important goals of shower pans are to be sturdy, built to last, and properly sloped. A smart shower pan choice which fits these criterion are SMC bases.
Tip #6 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Give the ‘feeling’ of volume, even if your bathroom and shower are smaller and/or shorter than you’d like
Sometimes to achieve the high-end shower look – even if your bathroom (and shower) are smaller and shorter than you’d like, requires ingenuity. Here’s 4 strategies to ‘increase’ the feeling of volume, within the same size bathroom or shower.
Strategy 1 – Use a vertical pattern in your shower wall panels or tile. It’ll move your eye up, creating the feeling of volume.
Strategy 2 – Eliminate the soffit above your existing shower. Sometimes there’s nothing in these soffits – and when soffits are shorter, they’re prone to getting dirty and moldy.
Strategy 3 – Use a lighter shower surround color. Dark colors close a space in. Bright colors opens them up.
Strategy 4 – Choose a ‘polished stone,’ ultra-high gloss wall panel pattern. It’ll reflect light and make the space live larger even if you have no window or skylight in the bathroom.
Tip #7 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Don’t buy your project ‘piecemeal.’
It can be tempting to buy your shower pan (which is on sale) from one location, then your wall surround panels from an on-line retailer (who claims it’s the deal of the year), then buy your glass shower doors from a third vendor.
While chasing the best deal on every component can (initially) seem like the best ‘deal’ – you can find you’re getting hammered with 3 shipping bills, or worse yet, products (which aren’t returnable) and don’t fit together.
It’s for this reason it’s smarter to buy a complete shower replacement kit where the base, walls, and glass doors are designed to work together. In addition, you’ll save with a group purchasing discount, and one freight cost. And with the cost of gas going crazy as we speak, it’s more important than ever to focus on delivered pricing, not just the price of the materials.
Tip #8 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Protect your current (and future) budget by knowing the difference between ‘current shower necessities’ and ‘optional accessories’
For anyone whose worked with a home builder to build your home from scratch, or done a major bath or kitchen remodel, I’ll bet you it’s not hard to name 3 things (in retrospect) you would have done different.
And while I’d like to tell you this NEVER would happen to me because I’m an industry vet whose business has sold and installed bath and shower systems for over 40 years, if you read this article (15 Lessons You Can Learn from My Safer, Simpler, and More Stylish Master Bathroom), you’ll learn ‘flow-paws’ (‘er mistakes) I would have done differently in my own bathroom remodel. Just ‘keepin it real,’ as Randy Jackson used to say on American Idol.
The challenge in a shower remodel is to know what you need to do now (during the building process) vs. what you can do later (as your flow of funds improves). Here’s a list of ‘current shower necessities’ (because it’s not practical to do them ‘after the remodel’), vs. ‘optional accessories’ (which could be added at a later date if you can’t afford them now).
Current shower necessities
A low profile shower pan (with a ramp extension if needed) – If you’re looking to ‘age in place’ or help a loved one stay in their home with an accessible shower (to ward off exorbitant costs of assisted living), then a low profile shower pan (which has a shorter curb between 1” to 3” high) can be a smart investment vs. a ‘full height curb’ (which is 4” or taller).
Add in-wall shower niches – Since in-wall storage niches must be installed during construction, if you want them, add them while the shower is in rough framing. Or another option is to choose corner shelves, or buy a tacky Dollar-store-esque over-the-shower-head shower caddy (Ok, I’ll admit, I HATE those cheap plastic caddies!).
Install sturdier backer board or ‘blocking’ behind the wall for future grab bars, seats etc. – This is essential if you want to add a grab bar, fold down seat either now or in the future.
Frame for a window for more light – Cutting in a new window, which isn’t a simple task, is far easier when the project is in rough framing vs. ‘attempting’ to do it later.
Optional shower accessories (which can be added later)
A fold down shower seat – Assuming you have the proper backing (see above), a fold down seat or a corner bench seat for showering or shaving can be added at any time.
A glass shower door – Glass doors are added at the end of the project anyways, so if funds get tight, put up a shower curtain and rod until you can afford a decent glass shower door.
Corner shelves – Shelves are simple to add after the finished walls have been installed.
Tip #9 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Do sweat the shower pan details before the project begins
With the ever-rising cost of labor (due to inflation and the challenge finding highly qualified contractors), you need to minimize labor costs which can skyrocket with last-minute changes or buying the wrong shower pan.
Its for this reason you need to:
Make sure your shower pan has the drain in the right location.
Don’t buy the cheapest pan which flexes and feels like it could crack at any time. Remember your pan is the ‘foundation’ of your shower. And while it’s not the #1 thing people see if it fails Houston (or you) have a problem.
Make sure the curb height (AKA – threshold) will work now, and in the future.
Don’t get lured into ‘fancy-looking’ linear drains. Yes, they look cool, but they add a lot of cost.
Stay away from tile shower pans. However, if you insist on using one, look for underlayment materials like Wedi and Schluter which are waterproof – not water resistant.
Tip #10 to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price– Do sweat the shower surround details before the project begins
Sometimes the ‘deal of the century’ from bargain-basement home centers and on-line retail sites isn’t the ‘deal’ you think it is for shower surround panels. For example, don’t get suckered only to find out the following:
The panels only reach 80” high and now you have to drywall and paint the ceiling and eat extra costs for finishing materials above your surround panels.
You figure out, after it’s too late, you didn’t get trim profiles and/or window sill required to finish around windows or the edges of the shower wall panels.
You weren’t supplied adhesives and silicone you need and now it’s YOUR extra expense. In addition, you don’t even know if you’re buying the right stuff, so your warranty won’t be voided, or the panels fall off the wall.
The low, low price which lured you in did NOT include shipping, which you learned AFTER the charges hit your credit card.
Did you get practical tips to get a high end, yet affordable, shower without a high end price? Do you need help with a shower or bathroom remodel?
I hope you found this article practical – and of value to you. There’s more ‘moving parts’ (and decisions) in a shower remodel than meets the eye.
If you’d like help with your bath and/or shower remodel, contact Innovate Building Solutions at 877-668-5888. One of our Shower Specialist will be glad to assist. And if you need a referral to a contractor in your area, call us and we’ll look for a contractor near you.
If you have additional questions – or want to add your own ‘secret’ tips and tricks to get a high-end shower look without a high end price, comment below.
Thanks for reading and putting up with my humor along the way!
Mike
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If you want more advice (with less wacky humor because you’ll see the ‘buttoned-up’ business version of me) follow me on LinkedIn @MikeFoti.
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
