How much does it cost to retile a shower?
How much does it cost to retile a shower?
$7 – $25 cost per square foot
$800 – $3,000 average cost to retile shower
Average cost to retile a shower
Shower tile installation costs $7 to $25 per square foot for a shower floor and walls, or $800 to $3,000 total on average. Shower tile prices are $3 to $25 per square foot for materials, while installation labor costs $4 to $12 per square foot.
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Retile walk-in shower | $800 – $3,000 |
| Retile shower floor | $500 – $1,000 |
| Retile shower walls | $800 – $2,600 |
| Add a bench, shelf, or recessed niche | $200 – $500 |
| Install tile shower pan | $800 – $3,000 |
Shower tiling cost per square foot
Shower tiling costs $7 to $25 per square foot installed on average, depending on the material, size, surface prep, and labor. High-end tile or complex designs cost up to $50 per square foot installed.
| Type | Tile material cost per square foot | Total cost per square foot installed |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic tile | $1 – $8 | $5 – $30 |
| Porcelain tile | $2 – $10 | $7 – $32 |
| Glass tile | $5 – $25 | $10 – $46 |
| Subway tile | $2 – $12 | $7 – $35 |
| Mosaic tile | $3 – $23 | $9 – $52 |
| Natural stone tile | $3 – $15 | $9 – $44 |
| Marble tile | $5 – $25 | $11 – $54 |
| Granite tile | $5 – $14 | $11 – $42 |
| Limestone tile | $7 – $22 | $13 – $51 |
| Slate tile | $2 – $7 | $9 – $38 |
| Travertine tile | $3 – $9 | $12 – $52 |
*Most tile setters charge a $500 to $750 minimum.
Cost to retile a shower
The cost to retile a shower is $7 to $25 per square foot or $800 to $3,000 on average. Shower tile installation costs depend on the shower size, tile material, tile size and shape, design, and pattern.
Additional features like benches, shampoo niches, or shelves cost $200 to $500 more.
| National average cost | $1,850 |
| Minimum cost | $500 |
| Maximum cost | $10,000 |
| Average range | $800 to $3,000 |
*Cost data is based on 412 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Adding a bench, shelf, or recessed niche for soap or shampoo costs $200 to $500 more.
Cost of tiled walk-in shower
A tiled walk-in shower costs $800 to $3,000 to retile on average, depending on the size, layout, materials, and design. Large walk-in showers with high-end tile or elaborate patterns cost up to $10,000 to retile. A new tiled walk-in shower costs $2,000 to $5,000 for the tile, base, enclosure, and fixtures.
| Size (feet) | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 3' x 3' | $800 – $1,650 |
| 3' x 4' | $900 – $2,200 |
| 3' x 5' | $1,000 – $3,000 |
Cost to retile a small shower
Retiling a small shower costs $800 to $1,650, including the tile and installation. Costs depend on the tile size and type, design complexity, and whether or not the shower includes any accent tiles or extra features like shampoo niches or shelves.
Cost to redo tile shower walls
Retiling shower walls costs $8 to $30 per square foot, including removing the old tile and installing new tile. The total cost to redo shower walls only is $800 to $2,600 on average.
Shower floor tile installation cost
Tiling a shower floor costs $5 to $25 per square foot or $500 to $1,000 on average, depending on the type of tile, base size, and shower layout. Most tile installers charge minimum fees of $500 to $750 when retiling a shower.
| Factor | Ceramic or porcelain tile cost per square foot | Natural stone or marble tile cost per square foot |
|---|---|---|
| Tile materials | $1 – $10 | $3 – $15 |
| Installation labor | $4 – $8 | $6 – $15 |
| Old tile removal and surface prep | $3 – $14 | $3 – $14 |
| Total cost | $8 – $32 | $12 – $44 |
*Prices per square foot are typically at the higher end of the range for small projects.
Choose tiles with a textured surface to prevent a slipping hazard on wet bathroom floors.
Tile shower pan replacement
Installing a tile shower pan costs $900 to $3,500, including the custom pan, tile, and installation. The shower pan is a solid base under the tile to catch water that seeps through the tile and funnel it to the drain, preventing leaks.
Shower tile installation cost calculator
Bathroom and shower remodeling costs depend on the new tile material, removing any old tile, labor, and surface prep required.
| Factor | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Tile materials | $1 – $10 |
| Install labor | $4 – $12 |
| Tile designs and patterns | $1 – $5 |
| Setting materials (thinset mortar & grout) | $0.50 – $1.60 |
| Waterproof membrane | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Backer boards / underlayment | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Old tile removal | $1.50 – $5.00 |
| Shower pan* | $20 – $75 |
| Floor leveling* | $1 – $4 |
*Not required for every tile installation.
Labor cost to retile a shower
The labor cost to retile a shower is $4 to $12 per square foot, depending on the tile and layout. The labor cost to install a ceramic tile shower in a straight pattern is $4 to $8 per square foot. Labor for complex designs or natural stone tiles costs $6 to $20 per square foot.
| Tile material or style | Labor cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Ceramic tile | $4 – $8 |
| Porcelain tile | $4.50 – $8.50 |
| Natural stone or marble tile | $6 – $15 |
| Complex pattern or design | $6 – $20 |
Tiling designs and patterns cost
Herringbone or diagonal tile patterns cost an extra $1 to $5 per square foot or 10% to 30% more to install than straight tile due to the added labor to cut and layout the tiles. Patterned designs also require 10% to 20% more tiles to cover waste caused by diagonal cuts.
Replacing shower drywall or underlayment cost
Replacing shower drywall, underlayment, backer boards, or waterproofing membrane costs $2 to $9 per square foot installed or $0.50 to $1 per square foot for the materials alone. Underlayment smooths out uneven spots on the surface, prevents tiles from cracking, and provides a waterproof barrier.
Cost to remove old tile in bathroom
Removing tile in a bathroom costs $1.50 to $5 per square foot, depending on location. Removing old tile from a floor is priced on the higher end of the range because it requires more labor than removing tile from the walls.
Cost to tile a shower yourself (DIY)
The cost to tile a shower yourself is $3 to $15 per square foot, including tile, mortar, grout, basic tools, and surface prep materials. DIY shower retiling is a challenging project that requires special equipment, labor to remove the old tile, and skill in cutting, setting, and grouting the new tile.
How much tile do I need for my shower?
Follow these steps to calculate how many tiles you need for a shower:
Measure the width and height of each wall in inches.
Multiply the width by the height for each wall.
Add the totals for each wall.
Divide the result by 144 to find the total square feet.
Subtract any windows from the total.
Add 10% to 25% for overages to ensure there is enough tile in case of breakage. For diagonal or herringbone designs, add 20% to 35% instead because diagonal cuts result in more tile loss.
When ordering tile, include all other required pieces like bullnose tile, trim, or accents to increase the likelihood of receiving tiles with consistent color.
Retiling a shower FAQs
Are shower wall panels cheaper than tile?
Some shower wall panels are cheaper than tile, depending on the material. Acrylic and fiberglass shower panels cost $300 to $800 but look plasticky. Composite, Corian, and solid surface panels cost as much as as ceramic or porcelain tile after factoring in installation costs.
Shower panels take less time to install than tile, are waterproof, and are easier to keep clean because they don't have true grout lines.
How long does it take to tile a shower?
Tiling a shower takes 2 to 5 days, depending on the size, tile type, and design complexity. Demolishing and removing old tile, prepping the surface, and installing backer boards and a waterproof membrane adds 1 day.
Can you tile over tile in a shower?
You can tile over tile in a shower if the existing tiles and grout are in good condition, evenly placed, and free of cracks. Most professionals recommend removing and replacing the tile instead because old tiles do not provide an ideal surface for new tiles to adhere to.
Can you tile over drywall in a shower?
You should not tile over drywall in showers, bathrooms, or other areas exposed to moisture because water can seep behind the tile and cause mold, leaks, or other damage. Install tile on concrete or Hardie backer board with a waterproof membrane or vapor barrier instead.
Can you resurface bathroom floor tiles?
Bathroom floor tiles can be resurfaced. Tile refinishing costs $5 to $10 per square foot and may be used on most bathroom tile surfaces, including floors, shower walls, and tubs. Resurfacing covers the old tile in a spray coating, hiding chips and stains and making the tile look new.
What is the best tile for shower floors?
The best tile for shower floors is porcelain or ceramic tile no larger than 4"x4" with a matte or textured glaze for added traction. Smaller tiles conform better to the slope and shape of the shower floor, and the additional grout lines provide more slip resistance.
Choose tiles with a DCOF rating of 0.42 or higher for added slip resistance. The DCOF rating determines the amount of friction on wet floors when walked upon.
What is the best tile for shower walls?
The best tile for shower walls is glazed porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone:
Glazed porcelain tile is durable, easy to clean, cost-effective, and has the lowest moisture permeability of any tile. Porcelain tiles also have through-body color, making chips less noticeable.
Glazed ceramic tile is durable, the least expensive, and cuts easily, requiring less labor for installation.
Natural stone tile is hard and durable but may require more maintenance and cleaning because it is more porous.
When choosing tile for a shower, confirm the tile is approved for floor or shower use. Not all wall tile can be used in a shower.
Finding a shower tile installer
Before hiring a tile installer near you for bathroom or shower tile:
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Look for licensed tile installers who are members of the National Tile Contractors Association.
Select a tile setter who is a CTEF Certified Tile Installer (CTI).
Get references and check out a portfolio of their previous work.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for more than five years.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead for work completed.
Questions to ask tile installers
What kind of tile do you recommend for my shower and why?
Have you worked on projects like this before?
Can you provide references and a portfolio showing your work?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Are you a member of the National Tile Contractors Association or any other professional organizations?
Are you a CTEF Certified Tile Installer?
Do you adhere to TCNA and ANSI standards?
What steps will you take to waterproof the tiled area?
Will you flood test the shower before installing the tile?
What is included in the final price?
Does the estimate include the tile? How much tile is needed?
What other costs should I expect?
How long will the installation take?
How many people will be working on the project?
How soon will I be able to use the bathroom or shower after the installation?
Is a warranty included? If yes, how long is it and what does it cover?
How we get this dataUsing our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.