Before you order · 8 min read
What is included in a shower kit, and what you will still need to buy
“Complete shower kit” means different things to different sellers. Some ship a base and three walls. Some ship everything down to the curtain rod. The cheapest-looking kit is often the one that leaves the most on your shopping list, so here is how to read what is in the box.
How we package our kits
We sell three levels, and we say exactly what each contains so you can compare it with anyone else’s quote.
- Pan only. A one-piece, pre-leveled base in the threshold height and drain position you choose. Right when your walls are sound or you plan to tile them.
- Complete kit, pan plus walls. The base and a factory-matched wall system, so seams line up and the color is identical. Instructions and installation materials come in the box.
- Full package. The complete kit plus our accessory package: two grab bars, a padded seat, a glide bar with handheld shower, a curtain and rod, a no-caulk drain, a water stopper and a four-port mixing valve.
Prices for each level are on our cost page. Freight is quoted separately by ZIP code because these ship as oversized freight.
What a typical kit includes across the market
Most sellers include the base and the wall panels, plus fastening or adhesive instructions. Beyond that it varies widely. HomeGuide notes that most prefab shower stalls do not include doors or fixtures, and puts shower doors at roughly $400 to $1,900 depending on framed or frameless glass (HomeGuide, walk-in shower cost). That one line can turn a cheap kit into an expensive one.
The line-by-line checklist
| Item | Often in the box? | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Base or pan | Yes | Threshold height, drain position, finished or tile-ready? |
| Wall panels | Usually, in a “complete” kit | How many pieces, what height, which finish? |
| Drain body and strainer | Sometimes | Which pipe size does it fit? Is it included or separate? |
| Adhesive, sealant, fasteners | Sometimes | Is everything the instructions call for in the box? |
| Valve and trim | Rarely | Does the valve meet the local code? See below. |
| Shower head or handheld | Rarely | Fixed, handheld, or both on a slide bar? |
| Door or curtain | Rarely | Glass door, curtain and rod, or nothing? |
| Grab bars and seat | Rarely | Do the walls have backing where the bars will go? |
| Backer board, framing, subfloor repair | No | Does the kit need backing material behind it? |
| Old shower removal and disposal | No | Who hauls it away, and what does it cost? |
| Freight | Varies | Curbside or inside delivery? Liftgate? |
| Installation labor and permits | No | Who pulls the permit, if one is needed? |
The valve: easy to forget, important to get right
A shower valve is the mixing valve behind the handle. Model codes require shower valves to be pressure-balancing, thermostatic or combination types meeting ASSE 1016 or an equivalent standard, with the maximum setting limited to 120°F (IRC P2708.4). That protects against sudden scalding when someone flushes a toilet. If you are keeping an old valve, ask a plumber whether it qualifies; if you are buying a new one, make sure it does. Our full package includes a four-port mixing valve so the valve is not left to the last minute.
Grab bars need something solid behind them
A grab bar is only as strong as what it is screwed into. In a tiled shower, that means blocking between the studs placed before the walls go up. Our wall panels have full reinforced backing, so bars can be mounted at the height that suits the person using them rather than where a stud happens to be. If you are comparing kits, ask how and where bars can be attached. Our seniors guide covers where bars do the most good.
Delivery: what “shipped” means for a shower kit
Shower bases and wall panels are large, and they travel by freight truck rather than parcel van. Ask whether delivery is curbside or inside, whether the truck has a liftgate, and who needs to be home. Inspect every box before you sign for it. Our shipping and returns page explains what to check and why it matters for any damage claim.
How to compare two kit quotes fairly
- Ask both sellers for an itemized list of what ships.
- Line the lists up against the checklist above and price every missing item.
- Add freight to your ZIP code.
- Add installation if you are not doing it yourself, plus removal of the old shower. HomeGuide puts labor for a prefab shower kit at roughly $500 to $4,300, depending on material and the job (HomeGuide).
- Only then compare the totals.
A kit that includes the valve, the drain and a curtain can easily be cheaper in the end than a lower sticker price that includes none of them.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Codes and published prices change; follow the links for current figures.
Does a shower kit come with a door?
Usually not. HomeGuide notes that most prefab shower stalls do not include doors or fixtures, and a glass door can add hundreds to a couple of thousand dollars. Our full package includes a curtain and rod; glass doors are quoted separately.
Does a shower kit include the valve and faucet?
Most do not. Our full package includes a four-port mixing valve. Whatever valve you use should be a pressure-balancing, thermostatic or combination type with a 120-degree maximum setting, as model plumbing codes require.
What is the difference between a shower kit and a full shower package?
On this site, a kit is the base and matched wall panels. A full package adds the accessories that make the shower usable day to day: two grab bars, a padded seat, a glide bar with handheld shower, curtain and rod, a no-caulk drain, a water stopper and a mixing valve.
Is installation included in the price of a shower kit?
No. The kit price covers the product. Freight is quoted by ZIP code, and installation is quoted separately if you want it. You can also install it yourself or use your own contractor.
Get your quote
Want an itemized list for your bathroom?
Tell us the opening size and what you already have. We will send a line-by-line quote showing exactly what ships, what does not, and what freight costs to your ZIP.
Rather just talk?
1-888-779-2284A real person answers, and they know the product. No call center, no script.
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