How Much Does It Cost to Regrout a Shower in 2024?

Believe it or not, detail can make all the difference. Do your bathroom walls or shower look shabby and aged? Spend a few minutes scrutinizing your current grout. If it is dirty, discolored, cracked, or starts falling out, it can be enough to regrout the surface to give it a quick facelift. While most grout-related issues happen due to regular tear and wear, temperature changes and never-ending exposure to moisture can be among the culprits, too. If not addressed, water can leak behind the tiles, potentially leading to structural damage. It can also provoke the growth of mold and mildew, posing health risks. 

Professionals recommend checking bathroom grout annually and fixing blemished areas, if any. As seen, homeowners only check out how much to regrout a bathroom in 4 to 5 years after the initial project was done. However, there are no flat rates, as the size of the surface and the type and quality of the selected material are the major price determinants. Once any of these variables change, the bathroom regrouting cost can fluctuate. In addition, if the old grout and caulk require extensive removal or the tiles are damaged and need repair, these extra steps can significantly increase your expenditure.

The National Average Cost to Regrout a Shower

The average expenses to regrout a shower can be between $450 and $2,500. The cost of regrouting shower tiles can be as low as $8 and as high as $29 per square foot. Dimensions of the shower area, tile, and the grout type selected can affect the price. 

If you want to discover the project cost as soon as possible, drop by the MyHomeQuote platform. Here, you can leave your request and receive custom quotes from up to 5 local contractors in the twinkling of an eye.

The price of regrouting a shower

The National Average Cost to Regrout a Bathroom

Regrouting a bathroom is a more sophisticated project, so the prices are higher. How much to regrout bathroom floor? Homeowners expect to spend from $120 to $5,700 for flooring alone. Combined with regrouting walls, the expenditure can land anywhere from $380 to $9,500. Please note that contractors charge more for regrouting whole-wall tiles.

The price of regrouting a bathroom

Shower Regrout Cost Estimate

Why is the cost range of shower regrout so extended? It happens because it can go up and down, resembling a roller coaster, depending on the existing parameters of the space and the ones you can choose. For instance, the size of the area that needs to be regrouted can be different for all homeowners, as well as the tiles’ dimensions or the grouting type they want to select. On top of that, labor costs vary based on regional rates and the scope of work required. That’s why it is vital to consider all shaping factors in detail. 

Shower Regrouting Cost by Shower Size

A larger shower is a luxury even when it comes to regrouting. It requires more material to fill in the spaces between the tiles, increasing the overall cost. Additionally, an oversized area means more square feet that need to be worked on, so removing the old grout and applying the new one can take longer. This, in turn, can raise the labor cost to grout a shower when you hire a qualified specialist. However, even if you have a 72x80 shower, but only one of three walls requires regrouting, the project scale can be less overwhelming.  

The price of shower regrouting by shower size

Cost of Regrouting a Shower by Project Type

The specifics of the project can make or break its overall cost. Simple regrouting, where old grout is still relatively intact and only a new layer is needed, won’t break the bank like a project that requires completely removing old, deteriorated material. Similarly, regrouting a small portion or a handful of tiles can be more affordable. The cost to regrout shower tiles can escalate if the project involves grout sealing for added water resistance or replacing damaged tiles. In the table below, you can see how the expenditure can change depending on the project scale. 

The price of shower regrouting by project type

Cost to Regrout Tile Shower by Grouting Type

As bathrooms have their peculiarities and demands, you need to be careful when choosing the right grout type. Suppose you don’t know what features to pay heed to. You can reflect on the part of your bathroom that requires grouting. For instance, always-wet places like a shower need material marked as water-resistant and durable. Even though the cost of regrouting shower tiles can be higher, you won’t have to redo everything soon. Typically, the grout price tags range from $0.03 to $1.3 per sq. ft. for materials alone. Labor rates can also vary depending on your material type, as some variants are more challenging to work with.

Cement Grout

If your non-shower tiles require grouting, a cement-based option can be the right choice. Made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water, it offers ease of application, affordability, and a wide color range. However, its porous nature suggests that water and stains can be absorbed in a jiffy. Thus, regular sealing and maintenance can be required, particularly in humid and wet environments like bathrooms. You can use it as a base for tile work outside the shower. The cost lands between $4 to $7 per square foot. 

Polymer Grout

It is a high-performance alternative to traditional grout mixtures. Its composition includes cement, fine sand, and a latex polymer additive, which gives the grout water-resistant and flexible properties. This grout is less likely to crack or shrink over time, ensuring lasting durability. Even though it’s pricier ($5 to $10 per sq. ft.), it requires little maintenance, making it a cost-effective option in the long run.

However, polymer grout application is tricky, so it’s worth delegating this task to experienced professionals. Don’t have anyone in mind? Employ the MyHomeQuote platform to locate licensed and verified contractors in your vicinity. 

Epoxy Grout

Superior durability combined with stain and water resistance makes epoxy grout ideal for harsh environments like showers. It’s composed of resin and hardener, resulting in a non-porous finish that prevents mildew growth. Plus, you can say bye to sealing and meticulous maintenance. How much does it cost to re-grout a shower with epoxy grout? Although it provides a robust and long-lasting solution, it’s notably challenging to work with. That’s why the price can be anywhere from $7 to $12 per square foot. 

Sanded Grout

Sanded grout is crafted with a mixture of cement and sand. The latter component prevents the grout from shrinking as it cures, making it ideal for more extensive grout lines of 1/8 inch or more. With proper installation and sealing, it can last for about 20 years. And you won’t pay over the odds for its application, from $5 to $8 per square foot. Please note that it can be rough on delicate tile surfaces.

Unsanded Grout

Also known as non-sanded grout, it is a mixture of Portland cement, powdered pigments, and often, a polymer additive for flexibility. It’s smooth and sticky, making it a material of choice for filling narrow grout lines of less than 1/8 inch without scratching tile surfaces, even if it is glass or polished stone. But it’s susceptible to shrinkage and cracking in broader grout joints. So, how much to regrout a bathroom? Unsanded grout is affordable – $4 to $6 per square foot. 

The price of shower regrouting by grouting type

Cost to Regrout a Shower by Tile Type

Many homeowners mistakenly turn a blind eye to the tile type they have when calculating the cost of the regrouting project. However, contractors make allowance for this parameter as it affects both grouting type and installation complexity. Delicate tiles like glass or marble may require more care and specific, pricier grouts like epoxy to avoid damage. In contrast, more durable tiles, like ceramic or porcelain, can work with a broader range of cheaper grouts. On top of that, tiles with intricate patterns may need expert handling, further boosting the cost to replace grout in the shower.

The price of shower regrouting by tile type

Factors Adding to the Total Shower Regrouting Cost

While tile type is one of the critical determinants of your possible expenses, you need to take into account some other characteristics like size and spacing. Let’s dig deeper into them.

Tile Size

Mosaic-style tiles, which are smaller, demand fastidious grout application due to their complex designs. One square foot involves a bunch of tiles, meaning it can take longer for contractors to complete the project. Conversely, larger tiles cover the same area but with fewer seams, aka scope of work. Thus, the answer to ‘How much does it cost to regrout a shower?’ can change based on the tile size.

Tile Spacing

The width of grout joints can affect your expenditure in the same way the tile size does. The fine lines that come with smaller tiles can be more time-consuming to regrout and, hence, pricier. Conversely, wider grout lines make the process more straightforward. 

Project Extent 

A full-scale project involves replacing all the grout in the shower, necessitating more materials and labor, thereby increasing the regrout bathroom cost. Minor regrouting, usually done to address specific problem areas, is more pocket-friendly. However, assessing the current state of the grout is crucial, as minor regrouting might be infeasible if most of the grout is in poor condition.

Add-Ons Resulting in Extra Spending on Shower Regrout

The lifespan of brand-new grout hinges much on its type and whether protective layers have been applied. However, all add-on services come with a price. Let’s see how much they can set you back. 

Shower Caulking 

Caulk, a flexible sealing compound, prevents water seepage, which can cause structural damage over time. Its peculiarity lies in it being softer and more flexible than grout, therefore making it suitable for joints that move slightly. Whatever your calculations of how much to regrout a shower is, you can add around $300.  

Grout Cleaning

The grout lines can be home to dirt, grime, and mildew. If your old grout is porous, it can harbor bacteria and become discolored over time. Professionals effectively remove these impurities, charging from $0.60 to $3.70 per square foot. It can be labor-intensive, requiring scrubbing, rinsing, and drying, but it significantly enhances the tiles’ overall appearance. 

Tile sealing 

This process involves the application of a protective sealant onto the tile surface to form a protective barrier. Hence, it protects the tiles from stains, grime, and moisture. This peculiarity makes it incredibly beneficial in areas exposed to heavy water use, like showers. But you can cut corners and don’t pay $1.70 to $5 per sq. ft. if you utilize epoxy or polymer grout. 

Labor Cost to Grout a Shower

Hiring a licensed professional to regrout your shower can cost around $9 to $25 per hour. While it may seem like wasting a bunch of money, starting a DIY project is not the best strategy if you don’t have any experience and tools. Contractors can ensure your shower tiles’ safety and complete the job to the highest standards.