A tile shower fails at the waterproofing, almost never at the tile. So that is where we start. We tear out the old surround down to the studs, check for rot, build a properly sloped shower pan, and put down a real waterproofing membrane (sheet or liquid, like Schluter-Kerdi or RedGard) before a single tile goes up. This is the job most people call us to redo after someone else cut the corner and the framing got wet.
Most showers run 4 to 7 days start to finish, because mortar and grout need real dry time and we do not rush it. You get a written line-item quote first, and the only time the number changes is if we open a wall and find rot we could not see. We tell you before we keep going.
What it actually costs.
Shower and tub surround tile $2,800 to $9,500
SizeStandard tub surround vs. a large custom walk-in
WaterproofingNew pre-slope and sheet or liquid membrane on every job
Tile choiceCeramic and porcelain vs. natural stone and large-format
ExtrasNiche, bench, curbless entry, and tear-out of the old surround
Our four-step process.
Walkthrough and written quote
We look at the existing shower, talk through tile and layout, and hand you a detailed line-item quote.
Tear-out and waterproofing
We strip the old surround, fix any rot, build a sloped pan, and set a real waterproofing membrane before tile.
Set tile and grout
We set wall and floor tile with the right mortar, cut clean around the niche and fixtures, then grout once it has cured.
Seal and final walkthrough
We seal the grout and stone where needed, clean up, and walk the finished shower with you.
Why hire pros for shower & tub surround tile.
A real pre-slope and waterproofing membrane behind every surround
Tear-out of the old shower included in the quote
Niche, bench, and curbless options built in
Most showers done in 4 to 7 days including dry time
Written line-item quote with no surprise change orders
Frequently asked questions.
How much does it cost to re-tile a shower in Bellingham?
Most shower and tub surround tile jobs in Bellingham run $2,800 to $9,500. A standard tub-and-shower surround sits at the low end, and a large custom walk-in with a niche and bench sits at the top. Tear-out of the old surround and a new waterproofing membrane are included in that range, so you are not paying extra to have it done right.
How long does a tile shower take to install?
Plan on 4 to 7 days for most showers in Bellingham. That includes tear-out, building and waterproofing the pan, setting wall and floor tile, and grouting. The reason it is not faster is dry time: mortar and grout need to cure before the next step, and rushing that is how showers fail. We give you a specific timeline at the quote.
Why did my last shower leak behind the tile?
Almost always because there was no real waterproofing behind it. In older Bellingham homes the tile was often set on mortar over drywall, with nothing to stop water from reaching the framing. We set tile over a sheet or liquid membrane on a sloped pan, so water drains instead of soaking into the wall.
Ready for a free shower & tub surround tile quote?
Tell us about your project and we'll reply within 15 minutes during business hours.
Every neighborhood we serve has its own homes and its own quirks, from older bathrooms in Fairhaven to hillside floors in Sudden Valley. Pick your area for local notes: