Prefab Shower Units vs. Custom Showers
2011-07-27

If you are planning to add a bathroom or remodel an existing one, one of the decisions you'll be faced with is whether to custom build the shower or buy a prefabricated unit. This will depend on budget, space, your taste and expectations.

With the popularity of home improvement shows that regularly showcase custom tile work, frameless glass doors and multiple water features, this luxury is coveted -- even in midrange homes. But it'll cost you. There is a significant difference in price between the two options, but if you are seeking an upscale look, a custom kit may be a happy medium.

Prefabricated ShowersPrefab means that a shower unit has been mass-produced at a factory. They are usually made of plastic, Gelcoat fiberglass and acrylic. Though prefab showers most commonly have no texture and are white or off-white, they can come in a variety of colors with different shelving, seating and door configurations and textures (a tile effect, for example). They are offered in multi-piece or single-piece units ( single-piece units are for new construction), and can come as a kit with wall surround and a shower base, or pan, or you may have to purchase the base separately. They are available in standard widths.

Prefab showers are chip- and crack-resistant and watertight. This is a great deal, considering that you can purchase them starting at just $550. At most big box stores you can get a 48", dual-seat shower kit for less than $700. Raise the estimate if you plan to get new fixtures, too. If you want something like a steam shower, you can easily spend over $2,000, plus what you will have to pay a plumber to upgrade your plumbing (unless you can do it yourself).

The advantages of prefab shower units include ease and speed of installation, durability and watertight construction; plus, they're something an experienced do-it-yourselfer can install in a day. The main disadvantages are that they can seem generic when compared to a custom-tiled shower, and they come only in standard sizes.

Custom ShowersIt's not recommended that homeowners try to tackle a custom shower by themselves. A great deal of skill is needed to create the flawless seals that keep the shower watertight, not to mention the craftsmanship it takes to create a custom work of art.

While the disadvantage to a custom shower is the price tag — many simply can't afford it — there are a good number of advantages to a custom shower: beauty, custom size, custom features, high-end look and return on investment (midrange homes with bathroom remodels including a tiled shower had a 68% return on investment, according to Hanley Wood's 2008 Cost vs. Value report).

Though you could opt for custom solid surfaces such as Corian, most homeowners today choose tile. Tile can be made from natural stone, ceramic or glass. These can be combined in an endless array of sizes, patterns and colors to create a one-of-a-kind shower. These showers almost always start around the $6,000 mark -- and that's just for basics. If you want to upgrade your fixtures and add water jets, plan to pay a plumber to update the water supply, want to hire an electrician to install new lighting or you want to add features like a seat or a shaving ledge to the shower, all of that will drive up the price. The cost of a custom door or half-wall will also increase the price.

Custom KitsTo answer the call of homeowners everywhere, there are now shower kit units that marry the idea of a natural stone shower or a nice-looking high-quality glass enclosure with a common budget. You will still have the size and creative restraint of anything that is prefabricated, but these units are a step up from the others.

You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,000 for such a bath kit. For example, American Bath Factory sells both corner and rectangle kits that include handcrafted Sistine stone to create a surround and shower pan, a large pan showerhead, a hand shower and tempered frameless glass door. Both shapes are below $2,700 from Lowes. Seats and shelving are added features. These can be installed in just two days and are appropriate for an experienced do-it-yourselfer. If glass block is more your style, you can order kits from Home Depot that will allow you to create a custom-looking glass block shower. They run about $4,000 and include everything you will need to create the shower.

So, should you go prefab or custom? It's up to you. There are durable, attractive shower units available at every price point. If customization doesn't fit your budget, buy the best prefab shower you can afford with a nice-looking door and get attractive fixtures that match the rest of the room. If you can afford to build a custom shower, you should see some of the investment back. The rest you can consider an investment in yourself.