By Alicia, owner of Windows Plus
If you’re searching for shower installation contractors, you’ve probably already noticed how different the options are. Some companies want to gut the whole bathroom. Some handymen will do it cheap but can’t tell you when. And some are really just a salesperson who hands the job to whoever’s free. Here’s how I’d sort through them, and what we do differently.
What a shower installation should include
A good shower replacement is more than a new base. It should cover the whole wet space:
- Removing the old tub or shower and walls
- Checking the subfloor and wall framing for water damage
- Installing a new shower base, sized and built to fit your space
- New wall panels, trim and accessories like shelves or a seat
- New fixtures and a shower door or curtain rod
- Sealing everything so water stays where it belongs
- Hauling away the old unit and cleaning up
If a quote doesn’t spell those out, ask.
Questions to ask any shower contractor
- Who’s doing the work? Your own crews or subcontractors? We use our own crews.
- How long will I be without a shower? A focused shower replacement shouldn’t take weeks. Most of ours are done in one to two days.
- What’s the shower made of? Ask what the base and walls are made of and how they hold up. We install acrylic, not fiberglass. I explain why in fiberglass vs. acrylic.
- Is there grout? Tile looks great, but grout stains, grows mildew and needs resealing. Our wall panels are grout-free.
- What happens if you find water damage? You want that explained up front.
- What’s the warranty? Get it in writing, including labor.
Types of shower installations we do
Shower replacement
Out with the old shower, in with a new one in the same space. The most common job when an existing shower is cracked, stained or leaking. See shower installation and replacement in Louisville.
Tub-to-shower conversion
Nobody using the tub? We take it out and put a walk-in shower in the same space. It’s one of our most popular jobs. See our tub-to-shower conversion guide.
Walk-in and low-threshold showers
Easier, safer access with a low step-in, a seat and grab bars. Great for aging in place. More in bathroom remodeling for seniors.
What we don’t do
We focus on the wet space: tub or shower, walls, base, door and fixtures. We don’t do full bathroom remodels like vanities, flooring or moving walls, and we don’t do repairs or patch jobs. Keeping our focus narrow is how we get most showers done in a day or two instead of weeks.
What install day looks like
- Our crew protects the path to your bathroom and removes the old shower or tub.
- We check the subfloor and framing and deal with any damage we find.
- We install the new base, walls, fixtures and door.
- We seal everything, clean up and walk you through your new shower.
Shower materials, compared
- Acrylic: What we install. Non-porous, color all the way through, stain- and mildew-resistant and warm to the touch.
- Fiberglass: Cheaper upfront, but the thin gel coat wears, stains and cracks over time.
- Tile: Beautiful and customizable, but grout needs regular cleaning and resealing, and installation takes much longer.
Red flags when hiring a shower contractor
- No written quote, or a quote that doesn’t say what’s included
- A price that drops dramatically if you sign today
- No clear answer about who’s doing the work
- No plan for handling water damage if they find it
- No written warranty, or one that excludes labor
How to keep your new shower looking new
- Wipe or squeegee the walls and door after showers
- Use non-abrasive cleaners, since scouring pads can dull any surface
- Run the exhaust fan during and after showers to cut humidity
- Check the caulk around the base once a year
What homeowners say
We’re rated 4.8 on Google from more than 600 reviews. Read them yourself on our reviews page.
Get a free shower installation estimate
We’ll come out, look at your bathroom, show you options and give you a written price. No pressure, and we respond to requests within 24 hours. Check our current offers or schedule a free in-home estimate.
