The Sioux Falls Shower Remodel Guide
How much does a Sioux Falls shower remodel cost?
Cost depends on scope and finish level:
- Basic tub-to-shower replacement: $4,500 to $8,000. Removes tub, installs prefabricated shower base and surround, connects to existing plumbing.
- Custom tile walk-in shower with glass enclosure: $8,000 to $18,000. Custom tile pan, tile walls, frameless or semi-frameless glass door, quality fixtures.
- Doorless curbless walk-in shower: $12,000 to $25,000. Wet-room style with linear drain, full tile, no glass enclosure or partial glass panel only.
- Prefabricated one-day systems (Bath Fitter, Re-Bath, etc.): $6,000 to $12,000. Same-day installation, acrylic or composite surrounds, faster but less customizable.
Should I convert my tub to a walk-in shower?
The real estate answer: keep at least one tub somewhere in the home. Families with young children specifically look for at least one tub during home shopping. Removing every tub shrinks your future buyer pool. In a Sioux Falls neighborhood where families are common, a home with zero tubs takes materially longer to sell.
Converting a secondary bathroom tub-shower to a walk-in shower works well when:
- You have another tub elsewhere in the home
- The remaining bath is the primary or guest bath, not a shared family bath
- You use the shower daily and never use the tub
- You are planning for aging-in-place accessibility
In a primary bath specifically, walk-in showers with quality tile typically appraise better than tub-shower combos for buyers over 45.
What waterproofing method should I use?
This is where most shower remodels fail at 5 to 10 years — inadequate waterproofing behind the tile. Two current industry-standard approaches:
Sheet membrane systems (Schluter Kerdi, Wedi, Laticrete Hydro Ban Sheet)
Waterproof polymer sheets bonded to the wall before tile goes on. Full waterproofing right behind the tile itself. Industry standard for premium installations. Adds about $800 to $2,000 to a shower remodel over baseline waterproofing.
Liquid membrane systems (Redgard, Laticrete Hydro Ban)
Painted-on waterproof coating that cures to form a continuous membrane. Less expensive than sheet membrane, still dramatically better than old-school approaches. Adds about $300 to $800 to a shower remodel.
What to avoid: shower installations that use only cement backer board with vapor barrier behind it. This approach was standard 15 years ago but is now considered inadequate for long-term waterproofing. If a contractor quotes this method, ask why they aren’t using modern waterproofing.
What tile works best in Sioux Falls showers?
Porcelain tile is the standard choice. Low water absorption (under 0.5%), high durability, works for both walls and floors. Ranges from budget ($3 per square foot) to premium ($15+ per square foot).
Glazed ceramic works fine for wall applications but is less durable for floors. Absorption is higher than porcelain. Budget-friendly option ($2 to $8 per square foot).
Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate) creates a beautiful shower but requires ongoing maintenance. Needs sealing every 6 to 18 months. Can etch from acidic cleaners or hard water minerals. Cost runs $8 to $30 per square foot.
Avoid glossy floor tiles. Get slippery when wet. Matte or textured finishes are safer for shower floors.
How long does a shower remodel take?
- Prefab one-day systems: 1 day
- Basic tub-to-shower with prefab surround: 3 to 5 days
- Custom tile walk-in shower: 5 to 10 days
- Custom tile with curbless entry and layout changes: 10 to 15 days
- Full primary bath remodel with shower changes: 3 to 5 weeks
Book the contractor 6 to 12 weeks in advance during peak season (April through September). Winter bookings often have better availability and slightly lower pricing.
How do I hire the right shower contractor?
- Verify general liability insurance minimum $1M and workers compensation
- Ask specifically what waterproofing method they use (Schluter Kerdi, Redgard, sheet membrane, or liquid membrane are all acceptable answers)
- Request three recent Sioux Falls shower project references with photos
- Confirm tile installer certification (Certified Tile Installer or similar credentials)
- Verify slope specifications for shower pan (industry standard is 1/4 inch per foot toward drain)
- Get written scope of work including waterproofing method, tile size and layout, grout type, glass thickness for enclosures
- Confirm warranty terms for both installation and materials
- Discuss ventilation requirements for our humidity swings
- Get at least two written estimates on projects over $8,000
Do I need a permit?
Depends on scope. If you are replacing shower components in the same footprint without moving plumbing, typically no permit is required. However:
- Moving the shower drain requires a plumbing permit
- Adding new water supply lines requires a plumbing permit
- Enlarging the shower or changing its footprint requires a permit
- Electrical work for new ventilation, lighting, or heated floor requires an electrical permit
Contact City of Sioux Falls Building Services at 605-367-8254 if uncertain. Reputable contractors handle permit pull-through when required.
Related pillars
- For the full bathroom remodel context see Bath pillar →
- For bathroom flooring decisions see Flooring →
- For ventilation and water heater decisions see Systems and Energy →
- For aging in place shower design see Homeowner Life →
