How Long Does a Walk In Shower Remodel Take?

A walk in shower is exactly what your bathroom needs, but how long will your bathroom be out of commission? And how many days will you need to deal with the disruption and awkwardness of contractors traipsing around your house? 

At ZINTEX Remodeling, we’ve upgraded thousands of showers across eleven states, and it’s no secret to us that homeowners aren’t thrilled to turn their homes into construction sites. While there’s no surefire answer to the question of walk in shower remodel timelines, we’ve mastered the art of providing estimates. 

Read on to discover how long walk in shower remodels typically take and what can impact your timeline so you can schedule your bathroom upgrades wisely.

From Consultations to Construction: Walk In Shower Lead Times

Not all of your remodel timeline involves turning your home into an active construction zone. In fact, the vast majority of your timeline will be spent waiting for the materials to arrive so your contractors can begin. This waiting period is often referred to as the lead time.

First, you’ll complete a consultation with a sales representative from your remodeling company. During the consultation, you’ll assess the current state of your bathroom and talk about things like remodel wants, needs, and financing.

Once you sign your contract, you should be given a lead time. This is typically anywhere from four to six weeks, although lead times can be even shorter if the products you order are already in stock with your contractor.

From Demo to Cleanup: Average Walk In Shower Construction Timelines

Your lead time is over and now, you’re turning control of your bathroom over to contractors. How long will it take them to demolish your old shower or tub materials, install new ones, and clean up?

The walk in shower construction timeline can take anywhere from one day to several weeks, and there are a few factors that will play a huge role in determining how long you have to wait, including:

• The experience level of your contractor
• The size of your existing tub or shower vs. the size of your new shower
• The amount of plumbing upgrades or water damage mitigation your shower area needs 
• The materials you choose for your new shower (e.g., tile and grout vs. acrylic wall panels)

A good contractor will provide you with the most accurate estimated timeline possible while reminding you that unexpected delays or issues can arise. 

Top Factors That Can Impact Your Shower Remodel Timeline

Walk in shower remodels can take as little as one or two days from demo to cleanup, but this isn’t a guarantee. Let’s take a closer look at the factors that can impact your walk in shower remodel timeline.

The Size and Scope of Your Shower Remodel

The size and scope of your walk in shower remodel is one of the first things your contractors will assess when estimating your remodel timeline. It’s generally going to take longer to complete a larger walk in shower (think 30” x 32” vs. 30” x 60”) or to expand your shower footprint (think demolishing walls or moving plumbing). 

Believe it or not, a tub to shower conversion doesn’t inherently take longer than a shower replacement, assuming the footprint remains the same. If you’re hoping to replace that traditional tub with a 30” x 60” walk in shower, don’t let construction time stop you.

Your Shower Wall Materials

We mentioned earlier that the materials you use to construct your walk in shower will play a role in your construction timeline. In fact, this is probably the biggest determining factor. Why is that the case?

As you can see, acrylic and solid surface panels take less time to install than tile. This is because when constructing a shower with acrylic or solid surface panels, your shower comes together with fewer individual pieces. On the exterior, we’re looking at a base panel, typically three wall panels, and your shower rod or glass enclosure. Once these pieces are installed, you can typically start using your shower right away.

Tile, on the other hand, requires meticulous installation. Each tile has to be grouted into place, sometimes in a simple grid and sometimes in an intricate pattern. Not only does this take more time to complete, but it can add an extra 24-48 hours to your overall timeline while you wait for the exposed grout to cure. 

The Professionalism of Your Remodel Contractors

Unfortunately, there are contractors out there that leave homeowners in the lurch. They might tell you they’ll get started on demolition by a certain date or complete the project within a set amount of time only to disappear for weeks on end. How can you avoid this nightmare scenario?

Do your best to vet your contractors before you sign any contracts. Take a moment to find out more about their professional experience and read reviews from previous customers to make sure the company you choose has a strong track record. Nothing tanks a remodel project quite like a lack of professionalism. 

Unexpected Problems During Your Shower Remodel

During your consultation, your sales representative will do their best to assess the scope of your remodel project based on what they’re able to see before demolition begins. At the end of the day, however, your contractor won’t know exactly what they’re up against until they expose things like your plumbing and support beams during demolition.

Once again, this is where professional experience matters. An experienced bathroom remodeler won’t be stumped by outdated plumbing or rotting wood. They may just need a few extra hours or days to make sure you’re getting the best walk in shower upgrade possible. 

Is Now the Right Time to Start Your Walk In Shower Remodel?

Turning your bathroom into a temporary construction zone can seem overwhelming, but the right team can serve up high quality without too long a wait. Now you know how long your walk in shower will likely take to complete. What’s next?

At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we specialize in acrylic showers, transforming bathrooms in as little as 24 hours. Find out if acrylic shower walls are right for your bathroom.