Like most home improvement projects, adding a steam shower to your bathroom can run the gamut in terms of cost. There are many factors to consider: the size of your bathroom, time and budget constraints, and design preferences, to name just a few. For some people, installing a prefabricated unit is ideal, while others will opt to customize the shower according to their needs and wants. Both are good options; it all depends on what you’re looking for. This article will cover both choices in detail and give you an idea of how much this project will cost overall.

Pros and Cons of Prefabricated Steam Shower Units

There are quite a few options for prefabricated steam shower units. You’ll find them for sale online as well as in familiar home improvement stores, like Home Depot. Generally, these units are less expensive than custom steam showers, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 with most units falling between $2,000 and $4,000. The appeal of these units is their all-in-one, compact design, which simplifies the selection process and, ideally, the installation process as well. Each unit comes with an installation guide, allowing you to either do the work yourself or hire an experienced technician to do it for you. In the latter case, you’ll be adding another $400 to $800 for labor, which will increase the overall price, but if you’re not the handiest person, it may be well worth it.

However, there are drawbacks to the prefabricated route. Not every brand and model will be of the same quality or meet the same safety and service standards, and if you don’t do your research, you could end up with a dud. Furthermore, repairs can be difficult—and costly—which may negate the upfront savings over a custom steam shower. Read our full coverage of steam shower enclosures for all the ins and outs. 

Pros and Cons of Custom Steam Showers

If you have a bit more time and room in your budget and like the idea of building a unique steam shower to your own specifications, then the custom route is definitely the way to go. However, as with all home improvement projects, this one will require careful thought and planning to ensure that you get exactly what you want. You’ll also have to do your research in order to choose the materials, accessories, and other details that will fit and perform properly in your space.

A custom steam shower consists of three basic elements: the generator, the controls, and the shower enclosure. Your choice of generator will depend on the size of your enclosure; check out this steam generator sizing guide for help with the calculations. Generators and controls often come packaged together, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $3,500. While there are a number of options for generators and controls, the enclosure itself is the biggest question. If you’re working with an existing enclosure, it may be as simple as sealing or otherwise altering it to function correctly.

However, if you’re building the shower from scratch, expenses could skyrocket depending on the scope of the remodel. On the plus side, this option allows you to design the shower from the ground up according to your preferences, which may be worth the extra cost. If you’re the do-it-yourself type, check out this article for step-by-step instructions on building your own steam shower.

Whether you undertake the shower construction yourself or hire a professional to do the job, the costs could vary widely. When all is said and done, a custom steam shower could cost you anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 or beyond, depending on the features you choose and the extensiveness of the enclosure alteration/construction.

Which Route Is Better?

The best way to go about answering this question is to start looking into your options. Do some research online and in stores, and call manufacturers to discuss the ins and outs of their products as well as their service offerings. Take note of return policies, warranties, and service/labor costs, and be sure to factor these into your overall price calculations. At the end of the day, the route you choose will depend on the size of your space, how much time and money you are willing to spend, and your ideal final outcome. If you’re on a tighter budget and the thought of customizing every feature of your steam shower is overwhelming to you, then an all-in-one, prefabricated unit may be the way to go. But if you’d prefer to have a bit more control over your end product and like the idea of designing the shower yourself, go the custom route. Either way, as long as you do your research and plan carefully, you’ll have a steam shower you can enjoy for years to come.