skip to main content

Remodeling Bathrooms

Cost to build a recessed shower niche as part of a remodel?

4 years ago

We were quoted an additional $1,200 to have a recessed shower niche built as part of a bathroom remodel. Is this price reasonable?

Featured Answer

PRO

User

4 years ago

Custom site created niches that fall exactly within the tile pattern, and that occur on an outside wall needing a support header can definitely be that costly. I’m not a fan of the prefab because they rarely end up getting placed where it looks good with the overall tile pattern. They usually get stuck in a random stud bay, to avoid cutting into the wall and centering them.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

millworkman
4 years ago
I would assume that means the shower is being completely redone? New tile,m substrate waterproofing, pan, etc? How is he building the niche?
adawn5
4 years ago
I had two tall niches put in a new tub shower. Our contractor uses noble niches. I chose noble niche model #2942. The contractor knew I wanted them so he built some of the cost into the contract so I don't know how much it added to the overall cost of the bathroom. However, on top of the base cost of installing two niches (which I don't know because it wasn't broken out) it ended up costing approx $200 extra because I wanted 5 white quartz pieces used as shelves and for the bases of the niches. And another $500 extra for tiling labor to get the subway wall tile to look like it wrapped around the sides and back of the niches. One of the niches apparently required more effort and tile cuts because of the heights I chose for the shelves to make the subway tile look like it wrapped around as a continuation of the wall tile.

For the master bath with the same contractor there were no upcharges to the two niche costs built into the contract because my mom chose noble niche models that did not require shelves or anything special. However, I found that her niches were not quite tall enough to accommodate some toiletries and I became determined to max out the niche space in the next bathroom we did. Even though it was a tub/shower, I hate storing products on the tub edges.
Related Discussions
Shower Niche Shelves
Q
Comments (24)
It's bad only because it's alot of added expense for very little value. Yes, the cork will add insulation. However, it's overkill, as is (I believe), epoxy grout in residential installations. The worst is that both products are very expensive, especially the epoxy, which will cost about 6-8 times the amount as conventional grout. (3 units of epoxy, covering about 50 feet of 12x12 w/1/4" joints a piece will cost about 35.00, while a bag of grout, covering 125 feet of the same tile and grout joints, will cost about 15.00) dlm99-- you could cut the bullnose into 2" pieces, use them on the inside of the niche to cap the wall's tile which would be cut to come flush to the edge of the niche's return.
...See More
It's March 2014, how is your build? Part III
Q
Comments (151)
Uponthehill, The granite is called "Terra Bianca" also known as "Fantasy Brown" I have seen stores call it a granite or a quartzite. In regards to that edge on the island it is “Ogee with a square edge” If you say Ogee here they do the Ogee with the rounded or bullnose edge. We wanted to have a square edge to match with cabinet door and detail. JSpan, Thanks for the compliment. Spent many hours on the kitchen and now hoping everything comes as I envisioned. Autumn, Thanks. Your board and batten looks great and glad you went ahead and did it. I think the molding and details like this add a lot of character and richness to the house. The board and batten actually goes perfectly with your doors  JDez, Thanks for the compliment. I am really not very confident in my selections so good to hear it is looking good. In regards to the email from someone I too got it. I think it is someone who has turned gardenweb to forward the post to their email and now they are on a holiday and have their auto reply turned on. I could be wrong though so better not open it. RobynStamps, Yes the granite is “Fantasy brown” or “terra Bianca” . It does have beige, brown, grey/blues in it. It has more browns then grey’s though. Here is the closeup I have now. I can get more tomorrow.
...See More
building a shower niche - advice please
Q
Comments (27)
We take more baths (about 10 to 1) than showers, and that's why it's so low. And budge it's not perfect b/c if you zoom in, you can see a couple of small places where the grout didn't quite fill the space between the pieces on the shelf....might be a little more trouble to clean. So even though I wish he'd have used bullnose to trim it, I DO like it. And as I read this forum, I realize than most are not perfect, and some are outright scary! Except Bill's of course. ; ) Susan ~
...See More
Is this a Fair Cost Estimate for a bathroom remodel?
Q
Comments (11)
I just did a bath remodel in Philly. I had estimates all over the map. Most were in the $32-42K range (but those subcontracted out a lot of the more specialized labor (i.e., tiling, electrical, plumbing) and charged what appeared to be a 25% mark up on all materials). I ended up going with a highly recommended contractor, but having to buy all of my own materials. My bathroom is about 110 square feet and the total remodel cost was $10,750, and the finish materials were an extra $15K (contractor supplied the copper, pvc, shower liner, thin set and mortar, lumber, hardibacker included within his price). It took 18 work days. Having to buy all of the materials in a pain and took a lot of time; I guess that explains the reason for the mark up many charge. For some reason, it's not letting me post the link to my post on my remodel. You can find it if you'd like to, or just use this: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg0409041521118.html?10
...See More
Kirsten E.
4 years ago
What size is the niche?
PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years ago
Depends

Cost of the tile and detail?

Slab?

depth of nitch

Is there something in the way?

Is reframing needed?
AJCN
4 years ago
My contractor charged $350 per niche in our demo/re-waterproofing/re-tiling of 3 upstairs bathrooms. He was already contracted to do the work, and was giving me the option of niches or not.
chocolatebunny123
4 years ago
We had a bathroom built in our basement when we finished it last fall. We considered a niche (put in a full bathroom with a tub/shower combo) but the contractor wanted I believe around $1,000 for it because it would have had to be framed out from scratch, plus the pain of installing the tile in/around it. We decided it wasn't that important so nixed the idea.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES How to Remodel Your Relationship While Remodeling Your Home

By Mitchell Parker

A new Houzz survey shows how couples cope with stress and make tough choices during building and decorating projects

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A New Shower Leads to a Whole-House Remodel

Cohesion is the new name of the game for this transformed Arizona home, a dramatic departure from its former awkwardness

SHOWERS Turn Your Shower Niche Into a Design Star

By Becky Harris

Clear glass surrounds have raised the design bar for details such as shampoo and soap shelves. Here are 4 standouts

BATHROOM DESIGN Recess Time: Boost Your Bathroom Storage With a Niche

By Tiffany Carboni

Carve out space behind the drywall to add shelves or cabinets, giving you more room for bathroom essentials and extras

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Pick a Shower Niche That's Not Stuck in a Rut

By By Any Design Ltd.

Forget "standard." When you're designing a niche, the shelves and spacing have to work for your individual needs

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Build a Better Shower Curb

By By Any Design Ltd.

Work with your contractors and installers to ensure a safe, stylish curb that keeps the water where it belongs

Avoid Falling Bottles with a Shower Niche!

By Becky Harris

COLOR PALETTES Recessive Color: 8 Eye-Catching Niches, Nooks and Crannies

By Jennifer Ott Design

Create a focal point with a small chunk of a big hue

BATHROOM DESIGN Bath Remodeling: So, Where to Put the Toilet?

By By Any Design Ltd.

There's a lot to consider: paneling, baseboards, shower door. Before you install the toilet, get situated with these tips

INSIDE HOUZZ Baby Boomers Are Making Remodeling Changes With Aging in Mind

By Erin Carlyle

Walk-in tubs, curbless showers and nonslip floors are popular features, the 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study finds

Sponsored

Urban Upkeep LLC

6 Reviews

Franklin County's High Quality Painting Expert

More Discussions

Kitchen Remodel: Brain Melt I need Help!

8

help with flooring ideas for 2nd floor and stairs

3

kitchen flooring advice needed

3

I plan to redo my Master Bath and remove the tub.

7

Thickness of island posts

4