The shower is the centrepiece of any modern bathroom. Whether you're replacing a tired tub-shower combo, converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower, or building a custom tile shower from scratch, the investment pays off in daily comfort and home value. Shower renovation costs in Ottawa range from $2,500 for a basic pre-fab shower unit to $15,000+ for a custom tile walk-in shower with frameless glass enclosure. The main cost drivers are the enclosure type (pre-fab vs custom tile), glass doors (fra...
Pre-fab acrylic shower unit: $2,500–$5,000 installed. One-piece or multi-piece acrylic units (e.g., MAAX, Kohler, American Standard). Available in standard sizes (32x32, 36x36, 48x36, 60x32). Includes walls, base, and sometimes a built-in seat. Pros: affordable, waterproof by design, fast installation. Cons: limited design options, basic appearance, fixed sizes. Tub-to-shower conversion: $3,000–$8,000. Removes the bathtub and installs a shower in the same space. Options include a pre-fab base w...
Waterproofing: $500–$1,500 depending on method and area. Schluter Kerdi membrane (sheet or liquid applied), Laticrete Hydro Ban, or RedGard are the industry standards. Every custom tile shower MUST have a waterproof membrane behind the tile. This is the most important component — failed waterproofing leads to mould, rot, and structural damage costing $10,000+ to repair. Shower base/pan: Pre-formed base ($200–$800), mortar bed with membrane ($500–$1,200), or curbless floor preparation ($800–$2,0...
Size matters: The minimum comfortable shower size is 36x36 inches, but 48x36 or larger is much more comfortable and popular in Ottawa renovations. If space allows, 60x36 or larger creates a luxury experience without breaking the budget. Tile selection: Large-format tiles (12x24, 24x24) on walls create a spacious, modern appearance with fewer grout lines. Use smaller tiles (2x2 mosaics) on the shower floor for better traction and to conform to the slope. Accent tiles in the niche or as a feature...
A basic pre-fab walk-in shower costs $2,500–$5,000. A custom tile walk-in shower costs $5,000–$12,000. Luxury walk-in showers with premium finishes cost $10,000–$20,000+.
Converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower costs $3,000–$8,000 including plumbing modifications, new shower base, walls, fixtures, and glass enclosure.
Pre-fab shower installation takes 2–3 days. Custom tile shower construction takes 5–8 days. Luxury showers with complex tile work and multiple features may take 7–12 days.
If your home has only one bathtub, keeping it is recommended for resale value — families prioritize bathtubs. If you have a second bathtub or the bathroom is for adults only, converting to a walk-in shower is a popular and valuable upgrade.