Shower Remodel in St. Paul, MN
A shower remodel replaces the part of the bathroom that wears out first: the tile, the pan, the valve, and the enclosure. If the rest of the room is fine, there is no reason to gut it. We rebuild the shower properly and leave the rest alone.
- Licensed under the Minnesota DLI residential building contractor licence
- Plumbing permits pulled with the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- Free in-home estimate
Get a Free Bathroom Remodel Estimate
Tell us what you need — we’ll get back to you fast.
We'll be in touch shortly.
Please call us at (651) 615-8757.
What We Replace in a Shower Remodeling Job
Most shower problems start behind the tile. Cracked grout and loose tiles let water into the wall, and an old shower pan can leak slowly for years before anyone notices a stain on the ceiling below. A proper rebuild means removing the old surround down to the framing, checking what the water has done, and starting over with cement board, a waterproof membrane, and a correctly sloped pan.
We also replace the valve and trim. A new valve is the moment to add pressure balancing or a thermostatic mixer, a handheld wand, or a second showerhead. Any change to the valve or the supply lines is plumbing work, and plumbing is separately licensed by Minnesota DLI, so a licensed plumber does it.
Glass is the last step. Framed, semi-frameless, or frameless doors and fixed panels are measured after the tile is set, so they fit the finished opening.
Shower Remodeling Options
Tiled shower surround
Full tear-out and new tile walls over cement board and a waterproof membrane.
New shower pan
A correctly sloped pan or a tile-ready base that sends water to the drain, not the subfloor.
Valve and fixture upgrade
Pressure-balanced or thermostatic valves, handheld wands, and new trim.
Glass enclosure
Doors and panels measured to the finished tile for a clean fit.
Shower Work in St. Paul Homes
Because 44% of St. Paul's housing was built in 1939 or earlier, a lot of the showers we rebuild were added long after the house was built, sometimes squeezed into a corner or set over an old tub. That affects drain location, wall depth, and how much room there is for a larger shower. We look at all of it at the estimate.
Replacing a valve or moving a drain needs a plumbing permit from the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI), and the city treats separate building, plumbing, and electrical permits. We handle the paperwork and the inspection, so you do not have to.
If you want to go further and remove a curb entirely, see our page on walk-in shower installation. If you are replacing a tub you never use, a tub-to-shower conversion may be the better fit. Either way, a St. Paul winter is a fine time for the work, since a long heating season makes interior remodeling the natural winter work here.
Our Process
How a Shower Rebuild Works
Estimate
We inspect the shower, check for water damage, and give you a written scope and price.
Tear-Out and Rough-In
Old surround and pan come out; valve and drain work is done and inspected.
Waterproofing and Tile
Cement board, membrane, pan, and tile go in, in that order.
Glass and Trim
Enclosure and fixtures are installed, and we walk the finished shower with you.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What drives shower remodel cost?
Tile choice, the type of pan, valve upgrades, and glass all move the price, and moving the drain adds plumbing work. In St. Paul, permit fees are valuation-based with a state surcharge. We give you a written price after inspecting the existing shower, so there is no guessing.
Do I need a permit to remodel a shower in St. Paul?
If the work touches the valve, supply lines, or drain, yes: a plumbing permit from the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Simple tile replacement over sound backing may not need one. We confirm what your job needs, file it, and schedule the inspection.
Who can do plumbing work on a shower in Minnesota?
In Minnesota plumbing is separately licensed by Minnesota DLI: master plumber, journeyworker plumber, and plumbing contractor. A general remodeling licence does not cover it. We use licensed plumbers for every valve, supply, and drain change, and we pull the permit under the right licence.
Can I remodel just the shower and keep the rest of the bathroom?
Yes. Many St. Paul bathrooms have sound floors and vanities but a failing shower. We protect the rest of the room, rebuild the shower, and match the new work to what stays. In older homes, where the median unit is 69 years old, we check the wall and subfloor first.
Get a Price on Your Shower
Send us a few details and a photo if you have one, or call. Back to the home page, or go to the free estimate form.