Homeowner's $13,000 shower replacement estimate sparks skepticism over lifespan claim

"I'm willing to spend the money to fix or replace as needed."

A homeowner was left questioning a contractor's advice after receiving a $13,000 estimate to replace a shower and hearing the assertion that most showers only last five to seven years.

A different contractor offered a narrower repair for $3,000 to $4,000, prompting the homeowner to wonder which route would better protect the house.

Here's what to know

The homeowner said there were no obvious signs of water leaking through, but they had stopped using the second-floor shower while gathering opinions and estimates. In a post on Reddit's r/HomeMaintenance forum, they said missing penny tiles had exposed the shower liner.

They also noticed water collecting near the door, which raised concerns about the installation because the shower floor is uneven. The bathroom had been remodeled by the previous owners before the house was purchased.

The first contractor recommended a full shower replacement at a cost of $13,000 and suggested choosing tile that looked "less dated." He pointed to cracks near the base as evidence that moisture was getting in.

The second contractor's more limited proposal could make use of leftover tiles stored in the garage, replacing the floor and wall tile to a height of about one foot.

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The homeowner said they were prepared to pay for the needed work, but wanted to make the best decision. "I'm willing to spend the money to fix or replace as needed. I'm not trying to be cheap, I'm just trying to assess what the better option is. I do not have the time or skill to do this work myself (I'm the least handy person alive, and if I wanted to get into DIY I probably would not be starting with something this big)," they wrote.

More background

The lower estimate centered on replacing the shower floor, drain and pan liner. That job would involve removing the existing floor, curb and lowest rows of wall tile, then waterproofing the exposed wall sections.

The contractor warned that hidden rotten wood discovered during demolition could increase the price. He also suggested swapping the tiles beneath the door for a single piece of stone. The quoted work included taking out and reinstalling the glass door, then grouting, sealing with silicone and cleaning up.

Commenters doubted the contractor's claim about shower lifespans, though many also said the shower appeared to have problems.

"At the very least the pan should get redone. Not many contractors want to take the responsibility of leaving half of a shower and assuming the responsibility. Your tile surround does show signs of problems. A shower lasting 5-7 years is nonsense, don't trust that guy and keep shopping around for a contractor," one person wrote.

Others leaned toward a full replacement or warned that concealed damage could make the cheaper fix more expensive than expected.

What can be done?

One commenter said the homeowner should hold off on choosing a bid until the conflicting assessments were sorted out.

They advised asking the second contractor how the new pan and waterproofing would tie into the waterproofing already on the walls, and asking the first contractor to identify the evidence suggesting moisture behind the walls.

Another commenter recommended getting a full-replacement quote from the second contractor as well.

"Literally did this today! We'll see what he comes back with," the homeowner replied.

Where can I learn more?

These stories cover escalating shower repairs, grout concerns, remodeling disputes, leak diagnosis, and a contested mold-remediation quote.

• In New York, a $350 shower fix became a $1,500 tear-out involving a 30-year-old faucet.

• A homeowner questioning shower-corner grout learned that silicone helps, but waterproofing does the job.

• A homeowner accepted a $16,000 bathroom bid, then received incorrect invoices and unapproved tile.

• A homeowner paid for a wall cut over a mystery tub leak before plumbers pointed to the shower.

• A homeowner's $7,200 mold-remediation quote drew pushback from professionals who questioned full demolition after a toilet leak.