Custom showers start with checking the subfloor and old plumbing in Norfolk homes. Many houses in Ghent and Berkley have cast iron pipes that leak once you open the wall. We replace those lines with PEX and set a pre-sloped foam base like Schluter Kerdi to stop water from reaching the joists. Hot humid summers here make mold grow fast if the shower lacks a good exhaust fan tied to the light switch. Cheap crews skip the fan and the tile fails in two years.
We frame the niche and bench with treated lumber then cover everything with cement board and waterproof membrane. Norfolk code in this independent city requires a permit for any shower work that moves the drain. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection so you stay legal. A common mistake is using cheap vinyl pans that crack under foot traffic. We use acrylic or tile over foam so the floor stays solid for decades.
Tile choice matters in our climate. Porcelain holds up better than ceramic when summers push humidity past 80 percent. We set the tile on a 1/4 inch bed of thinset with 1/8 inch grout joints and seal the grout twice. In Ocean View homes near the water we also add a second layer of membrane behind the niche to block salt air. The glass door goes on last with heavy duty hinges that resist rust.
Once the shower is done we test every joint with a full flood test for 24 hours. Call us during Mon–Fri 8am–6pm or Sat 9am–2pm if your current shower leaks or you want a safer step-in unit.
Custom Shower Installation Services We Offer
✓Walk in Shower Conversion
Replace your tub with a low curb shower in three days using a foam base and tile walls.
✓Emergency Shower Leak Repair
Stop active leaks in one day with new drain assembly and membrane patch.
✓ADA Compliant Shower Install
Build zero threshold shower with grab bars and fold down seat for seniors in two to four days.
✓Bench Seat Custom Shower
Add a tiled corner bench and two niches during new shower build.
✓Frameless Glass Shower Enclosure
Install 3/8 inch frameless glass on existing tile in one day.
Custom Shower Installation Cost in Norfolk, VA
| Service | Typical Range | What Affects It |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Shower Base And Tile | $3,500–$5,000 | Size and tile grade change the total. |
| Add Bench And Niches | $600–$1,200 | Extra framing and waterproofing time. |
| ADA Grab Bars And Seat | $800–$1,500 | Includes code compliant blocking. |
| Frameless Glass Door | $900–$1,800 | Glass thickness and hardware type. |
| Free In-Home Estimate | Free | Call Mon–Fri 8am–6pm or Sat 9am–2pm. |
Ranges are typical for Norfolk, VA and confirmed with an exact written quote before any work starts.
How it works
- 1
Measure And Plan
We visit your home in Norfolk, check the floor and pipes, then give a written scope same day.
- 2
Demo And Rough In
Remove old fixture, fix bad plumbing, install new drain and waterproof base in one to two days.
- 3
Tile And Finish
Hang board, set tile, grout, and seal over two to three days.
- 4
Glass And Test
Hang door, run 24 hour flood test, then final walkthrough.
Pricing
Most custom showers in Norfolk run $3,500 to $6,000.