Shower Replacement in Fort Wayne

What is the average cost to replace a shower in Fort Wayne?

Most shower replacements we see in the Fort Wayne area fall between $5,500 and $12,000:

• Lower end: standard 48x36 or 60x32 stall, new base, acrylic or solid-surface wall panels, new valve, framed glass door.
• Higher end: tiled walls with a niche, a larger or custom-size base, frameless glass, or repairs to rotted subfloor and studs.

The single biggest unknown is damage behind the old shower. Long-term slow leaks are common in 20- to 30-year-old stalls. Our quote prices the shower itself and lists repair costs separately, so you can see what changed and why.

What is the cheapest way to replace a shower?

Keeping the same size and drain location and choosing acrylic or solid-surface wall panels with a framed door is the least expensive way to get a properly rebuilt shower. Panels install in a day and have little or no grout.

Cheaper still are liners that fit over the old surround. They're quick, but they don't let anyone see or fix what's behind the old walls, and that matters if the old shower leaked. We compare that approach honestly in Bath Fitter vs. a full remodel.

Signs it's time to replace your shower

• Cracks or soft spots in a fiberglass or acrylic base
• Grout or caulk that stays black after cleaning (mold behind the surface)
• Loose or hollow-sounding tile
• Water stains on the ceiling below, or peeling paint on the wall outside the shower
• A valve that drips, won't hold temperature, or has no anti-scald protection
• A musty smell that comes back no matter how often you clean

Any one of these can mean water is getting into the wall. Catching it early keeps the repair small.

What's included in a shower replacement?

1. Tear-out to the studs with the bathroom floor and hallway protected.
2. Inspection and repairs of studs, subfloor and drain; damaged wood is replaced, not covered up.
3. New pressure-balancing valve so the water doesn't scald when someone flushes. On older Fort Wayne homes with galvanized pipe, we usually recommend new supply lines up to the valve.
4. New base set level and sloped to the drain.
5. Waterproofed walls: cement board with a membrane for tile, or the manufacturer's system for panels.
6. Glass, trim, caulk and cleanup.

If you'd like a bigger change, like removing the curb or adding a bench, see walk-in showers or custom tile showers.

How long does a shower replacement take, and is a permit needed?

A panel shower usually takes three to four working days; a tiled shower takes five to six. Frameless glass follows one to two weeks after the walls are done.

Replacing the valve or changing the drain is plumbing work, which needs a permit from the Allen County Building Department (it issues permits for Fort Wayne). Swapping only the surface material in place may not. We'll tell you which applies and handle the permit if one's needed. See our permit guide.