You know that you’d much rather age in place than move into an assisted living community, but you also know that you’re going to have to make some safety upgrades to your home. Accessible home remodels are often touted as a cheaper alternative to assisted living, but how much do they actually cost?
At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we’ve been designing and installing accessible walk-in showers for homeowners since 2001. Today, we’re going to break down accessible shower costs so you can build a shower that meets your physical needs and your budget. Read on to learn:
- How much accessible shower retrofitting costs
- How much accessible walk-in showers cost
- How different accessible shower features function
- How long an accessible shower will last
- How to design an accessible shower on a budget
How Much Does Accessible Shower Retrofitting Cost?
Accessible shower retrofitting is the process of adding accessible features to your existing shower. In other words, you maintain the current structure and design of your shower but add a handful of accessories that increase safety. These accessories may include:
- Grab bars
- Shower seats
- Bathtub step-through kits
Accessible retrofitting is a cheaper alternative to full accessible walk-in shower installation. Even if you go this route, we recommend hiring a professional to install any and all of these features, which will bring your total cost to an average of $2,000-$5,000.
Why not cut costs more and install something like a grab bar on your own? It’s crucial that any accessibility features are installed properly, especially those that are weight-bearing. Improper installation is simply going to increase your risk of falling if and when those features fail.
Before photo showing retrofitted grab bars / After photo showing full shower makeover
How Much Does Accessible Walk In Shower Installation Cost?
Maybe you want a real tub-to-shower conversion rather than a bathtub step-through conversion. Maybe your current shower has problems like damaged walls or mold growth that you’d also like to address. In either case, a full walk-in shower installation with customization options to make that shower more accessible is the way to go.
Using our own pricing breakdown to demonstrate, here is a look at the different levels of shower remodeling available and what accessibility features you can incorporate at each price point:
|
Type of shower remodel |
What makes this type of shower accessible |
Price range |
|
Basic walk-in shower |
☑️A 3”-4” threshold eliminates the need to step over a high bathroom ledge ☑️A slip-resistant shower pan ☑️2 corner shelves make toiletries easy to reach (no bending necessary) |
$11,000-$16,000 |
|
Walk-in shower with intermediate accessibility upgrades |
☑️Low-threshold entry options come as short as 2” for easier access ☑️A slip-resistant shower pan ☑️2 or more corner shelves make toiletries easy to reach (no bending necessary) ☑️A grab bar increases safety and stability while entering and exiting the shower |
$16,000-$19,000 |
|
Walk-in shower with premium accessibility upgrades |
☑️Low-threshold entry and zero-threshold entry options have the potential to make your shower wheelchair-accessible ☑️A slip-resistant shower pan ☑️2 or more corner shelves make toiletries easy to reach (no bending necessary) ☑️A grab bar increases safety and stability while entering and exiting the shower ☑️Built-in seating allows for safer showering for anyone with mobility or balance problems ☑️Hand-held shower head options allow for easy bathing from your built-in seat |
$19,000-$22,000+ |
As you can see, even a basic walk-in shower is going to improve safety and accessibility in your bathroom, especially if you’re getting rid of a traditional bathtub in the process. Our goal is to make the shower design process as customizable as possible so you can meet your specific needs.
Understanding the Importance of Different Accessible Shower Features
What does customizing your shower to meet your specific accessibility needs actually look like? Take a look at our detailed analysis of the different types of shower accessibility features, what functions those features serve, and who might benefit from them:
|
Type of accessible shower feature |
Accessibility function |
Who needs this feature? |
|
Reinforced shower walls |
Supporting weight-bearing accessibility features like grab bars and seating |
Anyone who plans to install weight-bearing accessibility features |
|
Grab bars |
Providing a safe hand-hold for entering, exiting, and navigating the shower |
Anyone who has limited mobility, balance impairments, or a history of slip-and-fall scares |
|
Slip-resistant shower flooring |
Reducing the slipperiness of your shower floor to create better stability during use |
Anyone who wants a safer showering experience |
|
Built-in seating |
Providing secure seating to reduce the need to bend from a standing position while bathing and/or to create a safe place to sit when dizzy |
Anyone who has limited mobility, balance impairments, or a history of slip-and-fall scares |
|
Zero or low-threshold entry |
Lowering the shower entry to reduce the amount you have to raise your feet to enter and exit your shower and/or to make your shower mobility aid-accessible |
Anyone who has limited mobility, balance impairments, a history of slip-and-fall scares, or a full-time mobility aid |
|
Fixed glass enclosures |
Providing water containment that you don’t have to move or hold open while entering or exiting the shower |
Anyone who has a full-time mobility aid that they will use in the shower |
|
Hand-held shower heads |
Providing a second way to rinse that you can maneuver with your hand, as opposed to moving your body under a fixed flow of water |
Anyone who will use built-in seating for the majority of their showering experience |
How Long Will Your Accessible Shower Last?
When you’re designing a shower for the purpose of aging in place, you’re thinking about long-term use. Is it too soon to start making these upgrades at age 60? What about age 50?
A ZINTEX acrylic shower system is going to last between 15 and 20 years, whether or not you add those extra accessibility features. Should you get a basic shower now and upgrade in 15 years, or should you go ahead and incorporate accessible features now?
Realistically, you should start investing in safety accommodations before you desperately need them, and that juncture arrives at different times for different people.
For example, you may want to go ahead and invest in the accessible shower at age 50 if you’re experiencing noticeable joint pain or arthritis. Maybe you’re in your mid-60s and you don’t have any physical disabilities currently, but you want the shower you invest in today to work for you ten years from now.
The key is to remember that the shower you install now is the shower you can expect to be using for at least 15 more years. Design it with your present and future needs in mind.
Tips for Building an Accessible Shower Remodel On a Budget
Before we wrap this guide to accessible shower costs up, we want to share a few tips with you on how to create a shower that meets your needs without straining your budget:
- Stick to standard aesthetic options, like alabaster white walls with no etched design
- Prioritize accessories that accommodate your disability (e.g., a grab bar that helps you balance while stepping into the shower) over the features you may not need (e.g., a zero-threshold entry if you don’t need a mobility aid with you in the shower)
- Limit your storage accessories to 2 corner shelves or ask your design consultant about grab shelves that combine storage and accessibility into one versatile accessory
-
Talk to your design consultant about financing options that could allow you to pay for your accessible shower in small monthly installments
Design Your Accessible Shower and Get an Instant Estimate
Aging in place is often the choice that homeowners prefer, but it takes careful planning. With this guide, you’re one step closer to making your home safer with an accessible walk-in shower that meets your budget.
Do you want an estimate that reflects your specific design choices? Give our online bathroom pricing estimator tool a try and design as many versions of your accessible tub or shower as you want, no strings attached.
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