H7

Tile vs. builder grade shower pan
To completely tile a shower including the floor, or to tile the walls and install a builder grade shower pan, is one of the biggest dilemmas in shower construction today. The biggest misconception by builders, remodelers, and contractors is that completely tiling the shower is more expensive. So let’s take a look at the breakdown of costs:
Since most builders use tile on the wall to enhance the shower design, we will compare just the costs of a 36" X 60" shower floor using a builder grade shower pan vs. tiling the entire floor area.
To use a builder grade shower pan;
Typical cost of shower pan: $250.00
Plumbers labor to install the pan: $50.00
Total: $300.00
Using tile to finish the floor of a shower:
Cost of (3) 2X4's for curb $8.00
Framers labor to install (3) 2X4's for the curb $8.00
Cost of waterproofing membrane for floor $20.00
Cost of shower drain for custom built showers $15.00
Plumbers labor to install membrane and drain $100.00
Cost of additional tile (this is a variable depending on customers choice of tile but a standard allowance will be used for estimation purposes) $2.50 per sq.ft X 15 sq. ft. = $37.50
Tile subcontractors labor to continue tiling floor after tiling walls $75.00
Incidental charges for thinset, caulk, etc. $20.00
Total $283.50
As you can see, to finish tiling the floor of a shower can even cost less than using a builder grade shower pan and provides a better finished product. If you are investing in a frameless glass shower enclosure or frameless shower door in your bathroom project, consider the additional value of a completely tiled shower verses the convenience of a builder grade shower pan.