If looking at the grout in your shower makes you want to bathe in the dark, it might be time to get it replaced. On average, the cost to regrout a shower is between $600 and $2,500 (or $10 to $25 per square foot). Prices hinge on the size of the shower, the type of grout, and how much old grout needs to be removed. We break down what you can expect to pay below.
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Certain factors will impact the price to regrout your shower. It mostly boils down to labor and materials. The more labor and the more materials the job requires, the higher the price tag. Here’s a look at what might affect your budget.
Regrouting costs depend on the size of your shower. On average, expect to spend $10 to $25 per square foot if you hire a pro. The standard shower stall is 36-by-36 inches with a height between 72 and 80 inches. Tub-to-shower conversions are around 36-by-60 inches. Most tile showers have three walls of tile—though you may only need to regrout a portion of the tile.
Smaller tiles have more grout lines than larger tiles. This generally increases the cost to regrout a shower—not just because of the material costs, but because it takes more labor to install. Mosaic tiles tend to be some of the most expensive because they’re some of the smallest and most labor-intensive.
There are different types of grout that come at different price points. Unsanded grout is one of the most common and costs around $5 to $6 per square foot. Epoxy grout is on the higher end and costs around $8 to $12 per square foot to install, but it’s more flexible and less prone to cracking.
In general, you can expect to spend $10 to $65 for a 25-pound bag of dry grout or $12 to $160 for a 25-pound bag of pre-mixed grout.
The more spaced out your tile, the more grout you’ll need. This increases material costs. Most homeowners can cover a large shower space with a single 25-pound bag. If your grout joints are wider than 1/8th of an inch, you may need an additional bag.
Grout itself is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of tiles. Nonetheless, material costs are a significant factor. The more materials you use, the higher the price to regrout the shower.
Material costs have as much to do with the type of shower as they do the type of tile. For example, a standard 36-by-36-inch walk-in shower costs less to regrout than the average steam shower because it’s smaller and has less tile. That said, the cost could be unexpectedly high if you have small mosaic tiles with wide joints because that requires more grout.
On average, you’ll pay between $10 and $25 per hour to have a professional regrout your shower. While this costs a lot more than doing it yourself, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle. You’ll also save your shower tiles from potentially getting damaged.
There are many types of grout, and they each feature unique price ranges, pros, and cons. Here are the major group types to choose from.
Unsanded grout is on the more affordable side, at $5 to $6 per square foot. So, the typical cost to regrout an 80-square-foot shower is $400 to $480. This type of grout is used on smaller-than-average joints of 1/8-inch or less, as it shrinks when it dries.
Unsanded grout is extremely common in many bathrooms, particularly guest bathrooms, as it’s easy to install, relatively affordable, and available in many different colors, from white and light gray to more specialty designs. Unsanded grout lasts around 10 years before it needs to be regrouted (assuming you take good care of it).
Sanded grout is slightly more expensive than its unsanded cousin, coming in at $6 to $8 per square foot (or $480 to $640 to regrout an 80-square-foot shower). This is the same mixture as unsanded grout, but, as the name suggests, with the addition of sand.
This sand makes it thicker and more durable than unsanded grout, allowing it to fill wider joints without cracking as it dries. Sanded grout lasts as long as 20 years before it needs to be replaced.
Cement grout costs $5 to $7 per square foot, so you’ll pay $400 to $600 to regrout a traditional 80-square-foot shower. This is an extremely common grout type, as it is budget-friendly, easy to apply, and is available in a wide range of colors.
However, cement grout is not typically recommended for showers, as it cracks over time and eventually discolors as it deals with near-constant moisture. While not great for showers, cement grout is fantastic as a base for tile work and home fixtures.
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Polymer grout is on the pricier side, costing $6.50 to $10 per square foot or $560 to $880 for 80 square feet of coverage. This is essentially cement grout with the addition of acrylic polymers, which addresses many of the issues with using cement grout in bathrooms and showers.
Polymer grout is durable, long-lasting, and does well with moisture. It is harder to apply than many other grout types, as it remains stiff and difficult to spread, though it does not require sealing after installation. Additionally, some polymer additives include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which give the grout a strong odor. If you are sensitive to VOCs, or simply concerned, talk to your pro and request a brand without these chemicals.
Epoxy grout is far and away the most expensive type, at $8 to $12 per square foot or $720 to $960 for an 80-square-foot shower. Much of this added price falls down to labor costs, as it is difficult to spread and is mixed directly before being applied.
However, you get what you pay for, as epoxy grout is flexible, so it won’t crack over time, and resists staining and discoloration, as it is completely non-porous. Epoxy resin-based grout is available in unsanded and sanded varieties, but both include plenty of VOCs, so prepare for a strong odor immediately following installation. Not every pro is familiar with this grout type, so talk to your installer ahead of time to discuss their experience level.
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The tiles themselves also dictate the price to regrout a shower, as both the type of shower tile and the space between each piece influences which type of grout will work best.
This tile type does best with unsanded polymer, though it integrates nicely with many grout materials. You’ll pay $400-$800 per shower when regrouting between machine-made wall tiles.
Handmade tiles benefit from the added durability of sanded polymer, though excels with many grout types. You’ll pay $480-$600 per regrouted shower with these tiles.
Glass tiles are extremely common in and around showers, and they do well with either sanded or unsanded epoxy grout. As a matter of fact, many glass tile manufacturers recommend epoxy grout. As this combination is on the expensive side, you’ll pay $500-$800 per shower.
Stone tiles are certainly gorgeous, and they work well with unsanded epoxy or polymer grout. The price is right here, as you’ll pay between $400-$600 per shower grouted.
This tile type makes for a unique and showstopping look that does well with sanded epoxy. As such, the costs here are on the high side. Grouting with mosaic tile costs $960-$1,280 per shower.
Marble of all kinds make for great bathroom tiles, due to the material’s overall durability and fantastic array of design options. Tumbled marble also does well with sanded epoxy and grouting is rather expensive, at $960-$1,280 per shower.
In addition to grout, you may need to budget for some extras. It depends on your specific bathroom. Things like caulk and sealing can safeguard your shower against water damage.
For most homeowners, the cost to caulk a shower is around $300.You can expect to spend somewhere between $1.25 and $4 per linear foot.When you regrout a shower, you’ll need to caulk the corners and wherever your shower meets a different material, like your bathroom wall or a tub.
Sealing costs $2 to $5 per square foot. If you use a concrete-based grout, you’ll need to seal it using an acrylic water-based or solvent-based sealer. Acrylic water-based sealants are the most affordable. You can typically skip this step if you use polymer or epoxy-based grout.
Even if your grout is looking very discolored, you may be able to restore it rather than replace it. During grout restoration, your contractor will use professional cleaning products to scrub your grout, then seal it for added longevity. Grout restoration typically costs around $450 for 100 square feet.
If grout restoration is possible, you may not have to splurge on fully regrouting your shower. Instead, you can just regrout the cracked or damaged parts and save on costs.
Regrouting isn’t always the most cost-effective option. The average homeowner only spends $900 on the cost to retile their shower versus an average price of $1,500 to fully regrout a shower—and that does not include the cost of replacing any damaged tile. Always weigh the price against the value.
For example, if you’re converting a tub into a walk-in shower and some of the tile in your existing surround is damaged, you may want to retile the entire space. If your tile is in great condition, but your grout is looking worse for wear, you may just want to regrout. Keep in mind that replacing luxury tiles (like high-end marble or granite) can dramatically increase the cost of retiling.
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You’ll save a good chunk of change by DIYing your shower regrout, but take note: it’s extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive. A 25-pound bag of grout can cost anywhere from $10 to $65 depending on the type, plus you’ll need a few other tools to get the job done.
Removing the old grout is the most difficult part of the process and might take around four times longer than installing your new grout. But if you’re only spot-fixing cracked grout, it won’t take nearly as long.
You have a few different options for grout removal tools. These include:
Grout rake: $10-$15
Oscillating multi-tool: $40-$150
Rotary tool: $25-$70
Reciprocating saw: $30-$80
A grout rake is the most affordable choice, but there’s a catch: you’ll have to spend more time and energy to make it work. Aside from that, here are the other supplies and materials you’ll need:
Grout float: $10-$15
Large heavy-duty sponge: $5
One more word of caution to prospective DIYers: Even with the most top-of-the-line power tools, you’re likely to have a hard time removing all the old grout in your shower. One overly ambitious grind could crack your tile, so always exercise the utmost caution. If you’re at all uncomfortable, call a grouting pro near you to finish the job.
Most handy homeowners can regrout their shower for less than $200—but you may not want to. Grout can be very difficult and time-consuming to remove, especially if you have fragile tile and plan to regrout your entire shower. Though some DIYers feel comfortable regrouting small sections, you may want to call a shower installer near you if you need a full regrout and additional repairs.
Always request quotes from at least three different shower pros so you can get an idea of the going rate for the project in your area. Keep in mind that the size of your shower, the type of tile, and the type of grout will all impact your overall costs.
There are a few ways you can lower the price to regrout your shower. The majority of the cost is labor, so anything that cuts down on labor costs can help. Here are some tips.
Larger tiles have fewer grout lines to fill, and thinner tiles help you avoid deep grout joints that require extra grout. This helps save on labor and material costs.
Don’t regrout your entire shower unless it’s absolutely necessary. Sometimes, you can refresh even the grimiest grout by cleaning it and sealing it through a process called grout restoration. Since regrouting is a laborious process, you can save money by regrouting as little as possible. Fix the areas that are damaged beyond repair, and leave the rest alone.
Handy homeowners may want to roll up their sleeves and regrout their shower by themselves. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling the entire project, you can do some of the labor before you bring in a pro. Try removing the tile on your own to cut down on labor costs.
You can usually save money on each specific bathroom remodel job if you group them together. For example, you can regrout bathroom tile inside and outside of your shower, recaulk, and fix broken tiles. You may even want to add-on small unrelated jobs, like swapping out your showerhead or fixing a leaking sink. This can save on the cost of subsequent trips for smaller jobs that aren’t worth a contractor’s day rate.
Lawrence Bonk contributed to this piece.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
This post was last modified on 06/11/2023 22:34
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