A shower remodel in New Jersey costs about $4,500 to $9,000 for a quality prefab or acrylic system, and $9,000 to $22,000 for a custom tiled walk-in shower with frameless glass. Call (201) 676-3099 or book a free estimate.
A shower remodel in New Jersey costs about $4,500 to $9,000 for a quality prefab or acrylic system, and $9,000 to $22,000 for a custom tiled walk-in shower with frameless glass. Curbless and steam showers run higher. Those are 2026 North Jersey numbers for a full job: demolition, waterproofing, plumbing, the shower itself, and haul-away.
Here is what each type costs, what changes the price, and why the waterproofing layer you never see is the part that decides whether the shower lasts 5 years or 30.
Shower remodel prices in NJ by type
| Type | 2026 installed price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic or composite surround, same footprint | $4,500 – $9,000 | 1 – 3 days |
| Tub-to-shower conversion, prefab base | $6,500 – $12,000 | 2 – 4 days |
| Custom tiled shower, standard size, framed glass | $9,000 – $16,000 | 5 – 8 days |
| Custom tiled walk-in, frameless glass, niche, bench | $14,000 – $22,000 | 7 – 10 days |
| Curbless (zero-entry) tiled shower | $16,000 – $28,000 | 8 – 12 days |
| Steam shower with tile and glass enclosure | $20,000 – $35,000 | 10 – 14 days |
What moves the price
- Moving the drain or the valve: $800 to $2,500 more
- Large-format tile and mosaics: more labor per square foot
- Frameless glass vs. framed: $1,500 to $3,500 vs. $600 to $1,200
- Niches, benches, a second shower head, body sprays
- Rotted subfloor or old cast iron drain found under the tub
- Permits and inspection, required in NJ when plumbing moves
The part that matters most: waterproofing
Tile is not waterproof. Grout is not waterproof. The membrane under the tile is. A shower done with a proper sheet or liquid membrane, a sloped pan and sealed corners lasts 30 years. One done with cement board and hope leaks into the subfloor in three to five years and takes the ceiling below with it. Ask any contractor what membrane they use and how they test the pan. If they cannot answer, keep looking. Every First Call shower comes with a written watertight guarantee.
Prefab vs. tile: which one is right
Choose a prefab system if you want it done in a day or two, you have a standard alcove, and you like a clean look without grout lines. Choose tile if you want a specific look, an odd size, a bench or a niche, or a curbless entry. Both are good when installed right; the one-day-bath sales pitch is not better than tile, it is just faster.
Questions people ask next
How much is a walk-in shower in NJ?
A custom tiled walk-in with frameless glass runs $14,000 to $22,000 installed in North Jersey in 2026. A prefab walk-in system is $6,500 to $12,000.
Do I need a permit to remodel a shower in NJ?
If the plumbing valve or drain moves, or the electrical changes, yes. A like-for-like surround swap usually does not. We pull the permit when it is needed.
How long does a shower remodel take?
One to three days for a prefab system, five to ten days for custom tile including waterproofing cure times.
What is the cheapest way to redo a shower?
A quality acrylic surround over the existing footprint with a new valve trim. Avoid the cheap glue-over liners that trap water behind them.
Can you make the shower curbless for aging in place?
Yes. It needs the floor recessed or a linear drain, which is why it costs more, and it is the best choice for anyone planning to stay in the house.
Need walk-in showers near you?
If you searched “walk-in showers near me” anywhere in New Jersey, that's us. First Call Contracting is based in Paramus and sends its own licensed crew to all 21 counties — written price before work starts, no deposit, a real person on the phone 24/7.
Want to see your new shower before you pay for it?
Send a photo of your bathroom and a photo of the look you want. We send back a free 3D preview and a written price.
Or call Alex direct: (201) 676-3099