Shower Replacement in Lexington, KY

What does shower replacement cost in Lexington?

Most shower replacements around Lexington fall between $5,500 and $12,000.

The wildcard is always what's behind the old walls. Slow leaks around an aging valve or a cracked base can soak the framing for a long time before anything shows. We price the new shower on one line and repairs on another, so you see exactly what changed.

How do you know it's time to replace a shower?

Look for any of these:

• A base that cracks, flexes or sounds hollow underfoot
• Grout or caulk that turns black again within days of cleaning
• Tile that's loose or rings hollow when tapped
• Water stains on the ceiling below or bubbling paint on the wall outside the shower
• A valve that drips, swings hot and cold, or has no anti-scald protection
• A musty smell that keeps coming back

In Lexington, also watch for heavy mineral crust on the valve trim and glass. Central Kentucky's hard water builds it up over time, and on older valves it can make the handle stiff or keep the cartridge from sealing.

What is the least expensive way to redo a shower?

Keep the same size and drain location, and choose acrylic or solid-surface panels with a framed door. That's the lowest-cost way to get a shower that's rebuilt properly, with new waterproofing behind it. Panels go up quickly and have few or no grout lines to scrub.

Liner systems that fit over the old surround, from companies like Bath Fitter or Re-Bath, are another option. Acrylic liner systems generally cost less than tile, and they install fast. The trade-off is that nobody sees what's behind the old walls, which matters if the shower has been leaking. We go through that honestly in Bath Fitter vs. a full remodel.

Is acrylic or fiberglass better for a shower?

For most households, acrylic holds up better. It's color-through, so scratches show less, it resists fading, and it usually feels more solid underfoot. Fiberglass costs less but has a thin gel coat that can dull, crack and absorb stains over time. That's why so many builder-grade fiberglass stalls in 1990s and 2000s subdivisions like Beaumont, Palomar and Andover Forest are being replaced now. Solid-surface and tile are the other options; see acrylic vs. tile showers.

What does a shower replacement include?

1. Protection and tear-out. Floors and the path to the door get covered, then the old stall comes out down to the studs.
2. Repairs. Studs, subfloor and drain are checked. Any wood that's soft or stained dark gets cut out and replaced with new lumber.
3. New valve. A pressure-balancing valve keeps the water from scalding when someone flushes. In older homes with galvanized pipe, we usually recommend new supply lines to the valve.
4. New base, set level and pitched to the drain.
5. Waterproofed walls, with cement board and a membrane under tile, or the maker's sealed system for panels.
6. Glass, trim and cleanup.

If you're hoping for more than a swap, such as a zero-step entry or a tiled bench, our walk-in showers and custom tile showers pages cover those builds.

How long does it take, and is a permit needed?

Panel showers usually take three to four working days; tile takes five to six. Frameless glass is measured once the walls are done and installed after that.

A straight replacement in the same spot, with the drain where it is, usually doesn't need a permit. Kentucky's state rules require a plumbing permit, issued through the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (Division of Plumbing), when a fixture, drain or waste opening is moved or added, and the plumber pulls it. Repairing a valve doesn't need one. Enlarging the shower by moving a wall needs a building permit from the LFUCG Division of Building Inspection. We confirm which apply. See the permit guide.