A homeowner facing a $13,000 shower replacement estimate questioned a contractor's recommendation after he claimed most showers last just five to seven years.
A second contractor proposed a smaller repair for $3,000 to $4,000, leaving the homeowner wondering which option would best protect their home.
Here's what to know
Although they saw no signs of water leaking through, the homeowner stopped using their second-floor shower and began gathering estimates. Their post in Reddit's r/HomeMaintenance community explained the concern: missing penny tiles had left the shower liner exposed.
Water pooling near the door had already made the homeowner question the installation because the shower floor was uneven. The previous owners had renovated the bathroom before the homeowner bought the house.
The first contractor proposed replacing the entire shower for $13,000, along with a suggestion to choose tile that looked "less dated." He cited cracks near the base to support his conclusion that moisture was getting in.
Leftover tiles stored in the garage could be used for the second contractor's more limited repair: replacing the floor and wall tile up to about a foot.
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"I'm willing to spend the money to fix or replace as needed. I'm not trying to be cheap, I'm just trying to assess what the better option is. I do not have the time or skill to do this work myself (I'm the least handy person alive, and if I wanted to get into DIY I probably would not be starting with something this big)," the homeowner elaborated.
More background
A new shower floor, drain, and pan liner were central to the lower estimate. The work would require removing the existing floor, curb, and lowest rows of wall tile, then waterproofing the exposed wall areas.
Uncovering rotten wood during demolition could raise the price. The contractor also suggested a single piece of stone in place of the tiles beneath the door, while the quoted work included removing and reinstalling the existing glass door, grouting, applying silicone sealant, and cleaning.
Commenters questioned the first contractor's claim about shower lifespans but also expressed concern about the shower's condition.
"At the very least the pan should get redone. Not many contractors want to take the responsibility of leaving half of a shower and assuming the responsibility. Your tile surround does show signs of problems. A shower lasting 5-7 years is nonsense, don't trust that guy and keep shopping around for a contractor," one wrote.
Others favored a full replacement or warned that hidden damage could make the smaller repair more expensive than expected.
What can be done?
Choosing a bid could wait, one commenter argued; they needed to sort out the conflicting diagnoses first.
They also suggested asking the second contractor to explain how the replacement pan and waterproofing would connect to the waterproofing already on the walls. They recommended asking the first contractor to identify the evidence of moisture behind the walls.
Another commenter suggested getting a full-replacement estimate from the second contractor.
"Literally did this today! We'll see what he comes back with," the homeowner responded.
Where can I learn more?
These stories cover escalating shower repairs, grout concerns, remodeling disputes, leak diagnosis, and a contested mold-remediation quote.
• In New York, a $350 shower fix became a $1,500 tear-out involving a 30-year-old faucet.
• A homeowner questioning shower-corner grout learned that silicone helps, but waterproofing does the job.
• A homeowner accepted a $16,000 bathroom bid, then received incorrect invoices and unapproved tile.
• A homeowner paid for a wall cut over a mystery tub leak before plumbers pointed to the shower.
• A homeowner's $7,200 mold-remediation quote drew pushback from professionals who questioned full demolition after a toilet leak.
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