How much does it cost to float a 3x5 shower walls and pan?

Renovations Bathrooms
1

It would be nice to know how much it costs to float a shower pan and then seperately how much it costs to float the walls of a standard tub surround. I’m trying to weigh my options for my budget and I’m considering floating VS hardie backer.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you!

2

As far as I can tell the pricing should be pretty similar enough for an average person I believe to choose the bit more expensive looking floating.

3

Dear Mookie,

The pricing in Arizona will vary quite a bit. There is really no standard unless you own a flooring company and just to name a few like Carpet One, B & L Flooring, and Interior Logic these companies sub contract their work to fairly recently licensed tile contractors and at a set rate that is pretty competitive with each other. The below rates are a good start for a small town tile setter/contractor. It’s rare to run into a customer especially a builder that wants a mud shower wall.

Float Shower Walls & Install 12" to 14" Porcelain Tile - No Niches, No Window Wraps, No Deco Band, No Bells & Whistles - $20.00 SF for Labor & Setting Materials Only

Shower Pan - $30.00 SF for Labor & Setting Materials Only

4

In NYC this will cost you:

  1. pull permit / filing and close-out = $1,500 +/-

  2. work on shower pan = $1,400 +/-

  3. work on tub surround = $1,700 +/-

5

In the state of NC, we would usually charge $350 to $400 to install a shower pan and to float your wall would usually be included in the price of the wall tile. Just to float the wall it would be roughly $100 to $150, could be completed in 20 to 30 minutes and the shower pan would take about an hour to an hour and a half.

6

The first question you should ask yourself is how long do you want your shower to last and is it worth it to go cheap on a home you are invested in? A floated shower will last for 50+ years. A hardi-backer shower you will be using a caulking gun and you better watch and and make sure your tile guy is installing it correctly or trouble will come sooner than you think.

7

Usually the difference is not that much between one another, here in So Cal it will probably reflect a $500-1000 price difference. Maybe 2 additional working days… Only with float you’ll have to wait at least 3 days for it to dry properly.
Ron