If you have found this page, then it’s likely you’re looking for ways to revamp or update a tiled space in your home. You’ve stumbled across the right page then! Tile restoration and certain renovation projects may lead you to the word “regrouting.” What is it and why should you consider it? And what is the average cost of shower regrouting?
What is Regrouting?
Regrouting is the term used to refer to the process where the grout is removed from between the tiles and replaced with new grout. You may have this service performed if there is a leak in your shower, cracks in the grout, or simply put: cleaning just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Regrouting prevents your shower from failing and causing excessive damage to your home through leaks and traveling water. That said, regrouting can be a time-consuming and difficult task, especially if you don’t have the experience or appropriate tools. Knowing what to look for when hiring a professional regrouting service is key.
Why Should I Invest in Regrouting?
One of the most important things you can do in your shower space is to regrout the tile. It is not always necessary to replace tile flooring.
Regrouting prevents your shower from failing and causing excessive damage to your home. It is a very hard task to accomplish, so hiring a professional regrouting expert is inevitable.
Before finding a reputable professional:
Before hiring any professional it is vital to know the average cost to get a shower regrouted. This helps to avoid any hidden charges and also sets your budget accordingly. This will help you understand how closely that budget compares to the average cost to get a shower regrouted, and what exactly goes into determining that price.
Here, in this blog, you will get to know about the cost of regrouting a shower.
Average Cost to Get Your Shower Regrouted
Don’t let your tile regrouting budget go over-hand by hidden surprises. Don’t lose control of your budget to minutiae either. Many things are considered when bidding on this kind of service. As we all know, prices vary by location and even by zip code, so don’t be alarmed if there seems to be a discrepancy between the average regrouting cost in Los Angeles compared to Fort Worth. Keep reading below the cost to regrout the shower tile.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Shower Regrouting
When it comes to maintaining your bathroom, the average cost of shower regrouting can vary widely as previously mentioned. Here, we’ll dive into the factors that influence this cost. This insight will help ensure you’re well-prepared for what to expect.
Type of Tile
The type of tile in your shower plays a significant role in determining the cost of regrouting. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are common and generally more affordable to regrout. On the other hand, natural stone tiles like marble or granite require specialized care and can drive up costs. For example, if you have marble tiles, there may be a premium due to the delicate nature and the need for expert handling.
Tile Size
Tile type also implies tile size. Some bathroom tiles are small mosaic tiles. These are incredibly difficult to regrout, and most services will either refuse or charge quite a bit more than for standard regrouting. In this case, we at JP Carpet Cleaning Expert Floor Care, provide a slightly different option. If our tile and grout work isn’t able to achieve the results you desire, we may still be able to help.
Types of Grout
“What type of grout do you currently have?”
Grout type is another crucial factor for two different reasons. The first is “What type of grout do you currently have?” This is crucial to understand as this will affect the labor costs. For example, unsanded grout is much easier to remove than the old-style cement grout, and in turn, may cost less overall.
“What type of grout do you want?”
The second reason grout type is important is to determine what type of grout you would like installed. There are primarily two types: cement-based grout (or concrete-based grout) and epoxy grout. Cement-based grout is less expensive but more prone to staining and wear. Epoxy grout, though pricier because of the 2 to 3-step process required to install, offers superior durability and resistance to stains and chemicals. If you’re opting for epoxy grout, anticipate a higher initial cost, but it can save money in the long run by reducing maintenance needs.
There is a third option, that JP Carpet Cleaning Expert Floor Care prefers. This is a resin-based or polymer grout. Polymer grouts are typically more water-resistant and flexible than cement grouts, while also being more affordable and with less curing time than epoxy grout.
Shower Size
Naturally, the size of your shower impacts the overall cost as well, but it’s important to understand why. Assuming all else is equal in the tiled shower, ie 4×4 tiles, and standard-size grout lines on the walls and floor, it would be safe to assume a larger shower would cost more.
Larger showers require more labor time to remove the intact grout. However, if the bathroom wall tiles are large tiles, say 36-by-36 inches, this might reduce the overall cost as there are fewer grout lines to handle. Conversely, if the stall shower has 4-by-4 inch tiles, with very large grout joints, this may drive up the price.
You could also consider the material needs. Think of it like painting a room: the bigger the space, the more paint and time you need. The larger your grout lines and the smaller the tiles, the longer the grout replacement process might take, and the more material will be needed.
Condition of Current Grout Work
In addition, as hinted earlier, the existing condition of your grout is a major consideration. If your grout is crumbling, it might be easier to remove. If there is significant mold growth, potential water damage will need to be accounted for. Minor touch-ups cost less, but a full overhaul can be more expensive.
The regrouting process can be an expensive endeavor. One surefire way to manage the actual cost is regular cleaning. As expressed in this article about cleaning and maintaining your tile and grout, regular cleaning gives you a chance to notice cracks, missing or chipping grout, and excessive staining before it leads to water damage. This gives you a chance to invest in repairs, rather than an entire regrouting project.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Regrouting
Try to answer the following questions, or have the answers on hand before reaching out to a service. We’ve added some of the most typical answers we’ve seen, and a little detail to explain why the question is important.
The location of the work is important because it will provide us with a significant amount of information about the scope of work. For example, floor tile will require the technician to be on their knees, while countertop tile doesn’t.
Answering this can be tricky, depending on the space, hence why we ask for the work area first. If this happens to be a countertop or flooring, figuring out the square footage is easy. However, if this is a shower regrouting project and you need the shower walls, providing the square footage won’t be so nearly as simple. At this point, we’d ask if this is a standard shower, or if the entire shower needs grout repair.
Again, this helps us to understand the scope of the work better. Indoors generally include a kitchen or bathroom, while outdoors might be a patio or pool area. Outdoor tile regrouting also suggests needing to consider and manage the weather. This is not just for the technician but also for the curing process of the grout. It doesn’t necessarily affect the cost to regrout tiles, it just means scheduling might be a little more tricky.
Again, this goes more to the tile shower regrouting. Small showers don’t typically lend a lot of space to maneuver. Similarly, regrouting behind a kitchen sink doesn’t necessarily allow enough access for the technician to reach with the grout removal tools.
This may affect the cost. Typical sizes for grout lines are 1/16 of an inch, 1/8 of an inch, or 1/4 of an inch. Tile sizes can vary wildly, from tiny penny-sized tiles to large 48-inch-by-24-inch tiles, and everything in between.
We mentioned this earlier, but the type of tile is more for us to understand the space. This may also indicate if we need to utilize special tools.
Again, some types of grout like unsanded grout are easier to remove. Regardless, we have specialized tools to handle whatever type of grout you have.
Most folks will ask for our recommendation, but others have researched to figure out what they want. Some ask for Epoxy-based grout, others prefer pre-mixed grout or pre-sealed grout, and yet others might have already purchased a 25-pound bag of their chosen grout.
This may not necessarily refer to water damage. Many times the grout replacement process is meant to address things like loose tiles and filling or sealing broken tiles. Sometimes even just removing excess grout from wide joints may require regrouting services.
From this list of questions, which is by no means exhaustive, you can see why it might be difficult to truly find a quick online answer to “How much does regrouting cost?”, especially when you begin factoring labor costs and material costs.
Cost Examples and Estimates
The Math – Example 1
The following numbers serve as examples only. If you are trying to measure your shower, kitchen, or bathroom, please review the following exercise.
The cost of regrouting depends upon the shower area, kitchen area, or bathroom space. Working only with the shower for now, consider a standard 3X3 stand-up shower. This kind of shower has a tiled floor and 3 walls tiled 7 feet up. Calculate the total square footage as follows:
Floor: 3ft x 3ft = 9sqft
Walls: 3ft x 7ft = 21sqft x 3 = 63sqft
Total: 71 sqft
Now consider the type of tile in the shower. The average price can vary depending on the size of the grout lines, the size of the tile and the type of grout to be removed, as mentioned above. Expect prices to range from $12 per square foot to $30 per square foot. Smaller tiles with wider grout lines will be more time-consuming than large tiles with slim grout lines.
At this point, you have the total square footage and the average cost range to regrout a shower in Los Angeles.
Low: 71sqft * $12/sqft = $852
High: 71sqft * $30/sqft = $2130
Before panicking at the high value, consider your shower and the list of questions provided. This range is simply a guide to help you determine an appropriate budget. Consult with a professional tile regrouting service for exact pricing as some companies charge per hour, or per the scope of work.
The Math – Example 2
Below is another example, for your perusal. (This article has been updated. The information below may be outdated – 1/12/2023)
On average, the cost to get a shower regrouted by a professional is $10 and $25 per square foot or more. This cost includes materials and labor.
However, the cost of regrouting also depends upon the shower area. Generally, in Los Angeles, a home has 32 inches by 32 inches of the square shower and a rectangular shower is usually 36 by 48 inches long.
The cost of a 32-inch X 32-inch shower (7-foot height) with two sides having tiles ranges between $373.80 to $934.50. Whereas, the shower area with three sides can cost you $560.70 to $1401.75
If you have a rectangular shower of 36-inch X 48-inch, then the average cost ranges is $700 to $1,750. So, set your budget for regrouting according to your shower area having tiles.
Get the Affordable Regrouting Service
Now you have the tools to determine the average cost of shower regrouting. If you want to hire the most knowledgeable professional in Los Angeles for regrouting, then JP Carpet Cleaning Expert Floor Care is your definite choice. We help you in regrouting to revive the beauty of your shower tile. Our regrouting service is affordable and available in Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. Call us at (818) 263 9314 or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
One Response
Great breakdown! One tip I’ve found helpful is to consider sealing the grout after regrouting. It’s an extra step that can prolong the new grout’s lifespan, keeping your shower looking fresh for longer periods. Thanks for sharing these insights into budgeting for this task!