Walk In Shower Costs: Why Cheap Showers Get Expensive Fast

You know that you want a new walk-in shower to upgrade your bathroom and make it a more functional space. Cost is ultimately your top concern, and you’ll do just about anything to keep costs low. Naturally, this leaves you with options like DIY shower insert kits or contractors who charge below the industry average. If either of these could save you upwards of $10,000, why wouldn’t you go that route?

The reality is that unless you yourself are an expert shower installer, you’re going to get what you pay for. At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we know we’re not the cheapest bathroom remodeling company near you, but we are one of the best-rated because we use quality materials and put together experienced teams. Today, we’re going to talk about why cheap showers get expensive fast so you can decide if you’d rather save more today or save more in the long run. 

Table of Contents

• Cheap Shower Materials Deteriorate Fast
• DIY Installation Leaves Room for Error
• Limited Shower Customization Now Means More Work Later
• Cheap Showers Require Higher-Cost Replacements
• Comparing Price Points and Lifespans

Cheap Shower Materials Deteriorate Fast

A lot of professional remodeling companies (including ZINTEX) sell acrylic shower systems. At the same time, a lot of home improvement stores (like Lowes) sell acrylic shower insert kits.

Doesn’t that mean the more expensive companies are using the same exact materials as the big box store manufacturers?

Not quite.

You’re going to notice differences in things like the thickness of the acrylic panels, with cheaper options being much thinner and more brittle. The quality of the adhesive is also going to be lower and therefore faster to break down when you go the cheaper route. Ultimately, you’re probably going to start noticing wear and tear within the year on a cheap shower. Suddenly, that $5,000 investment feels like a real waste of money. 

DIY Installation Leaves Room for Error

Let’s pretend that we don’t already know that the cheaper shower comes with lower-quality materials. Even if you were installing the exact same shower system as a professional installer, you’re probably not going to know all the same methods and requirements to create a durable, waterproof system.

Is this that big of a deal? Considering that your shower system needs to protect your home from water damage, even small installation errors are a pretty big deal.

Something as simple as a minor panel misalignment exposes your home to water, which can then lead to significant water damage and mold growth. Even minor mold remediation can cost $500 to $1,000, while also disrupting your daily routine until your bathroom is clean and safe to use again.

Limited Shower Customization Now Means More Work Later

Another reason why a shower from a company like ZINTEX costs more than a shower insert kit or low-cost shower install is that we provide the variety of accessories you need to create a custom shower. This includes things like:

• Grab bars
• Built-in shower benches and foldable seats
• Corner caddies
• Grab shelves (shelving that doubles as a safe grab bar)
• Soap niches
• Shower bases with a low-threshold entry

Many homeowners prefer to invest in a shower that will meet their long-term needs, whether that’s maximizing storage to account for more family members moving in or creating a safe bathroom for aging in place. Without these customization options, you may find that you need to invest in costly shower improvements or a whole new shower system in the future. 

Cheap Showers Require Higher-Cost Replacements

If there’s one thing we live by, it’s that the most expensive home improvement project is the one you have to do twice. Ultimately, you’re probably going to have to replace your cheap shower in as little as two or three years due to:

• Low-quality materials breaking or deteriorating quickly
• Installation errors exposing your bathroom to a rapid water damage or mold growth
• Limited customization options leaving you with a shower that doesn’t meet your long-term needs

Most of the time, homeowners who have to quickly replace a cheap shower find that they don’t want to do it again, and they invest in the higher-quality, higher-cost option the second time around. Why pay $7,000 now if you’re still going to pay $20,000 for a real upgrade in a few short years?

Comparing Price Points and Lifespans

You’ve considered the points we’ve made so far and you’re still not sold. You value upfront savings so much that you’re still thinking you’d rather pay less now and replace your shower sooner. In the end, won’t it cost about the same?

We’ve broken down the average cost, what’s included in that cost, and the average lifespan of different types of showers to determine the cost per year analysis:

On the surface, it might look like it comes out relatively evenly. Sure, that shower insert kit may only last five years, but it’s still only $1,250 a year, which isn’t that much more than a pro acrylic shower, right? Wrong.

When you go with the DIY shower insert kit or even the low-cost contractor, you’re taking on a lot of hidden costs. For example, you will probably still need to hire a plumber to upgrade your pipes (or take on the risk of installing a new shower on old pipes). If you need repairs down the line, no or limited warranty coverage will leave you on the hook for the bill. The higher-cost option is also a better long-term value because it comes with more cost predictability.

Find Out More About What ZINTEX Walk In Shower Costs Come With

What you want is an affordable walk-in shower, but if you’re not conscious of what that really entails, you may find yourself installing a cheap walk-in shower in every sense of the word. Now, you know the risk of going the cheapest route and why that $5,000 walk-in shower isn’t actually $5,000 in the long run. What’s next?

At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we’ve been in the bathroom remodeling industry for 25 years. We know that professional prices can cause a bit of sticker shock, but it’s useful to understand what those prices entail. Take a look at our guide to ZINTEX walk-in shower costs and what each price point comes with.