An Onyx shower pan typically costs $700-$1,800 for the pan alone and about $1,500-$3,500 installed, depending on dimensions, drain configuration, and local labor. These pans are solid-surface products, not natural onyx stone; custom sizing, demolition, waterproofing, and drain work can add substantially to a quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan only | $700 | $1,150 | $1,800 | Common standard sizes; custom layouts may exceed this range |
| Installed pan | $1,500 | $2,400 | $3,500 | Assumes accessible bathroom and limited plumbing changes |
| Removal and disposal | $150 | $350 | $700 | Higher for heavy tile, difficult access, or extensive demolition |
| Custom or complicated project | $2,500 | $3,800 | $5,500+ | May include custom dimensions, subfloor repair, or drain relocation |
What a standard Onyx shower pan costs by size
For a straightforward replacement, budget roughly $1,500-$3,500 for the pan and installation. A basic 32-by-60-inch or 36-by-60-inch base generally falls near the middle of the material range, while smaller or simpler standard footprints may cost less. Larger bases, unusual shapes, and made-to-order configurations can push the product price toward or above $1,800.
These estimates assume a compatible drain location, a sound subfloor, ordinary bathroom access, and a contractor using standard installation methods. The pan is only one part of the shower enclosure: wall panels, a door, fixtures, and surrounding finish work are separate expenses unless the quote explicitly includes them.
Onyx Collection products are commonly described as cultured marble or solid surface. Color, texture, edge options, and the supplier’s current product list affect the quote. Product availability and dealer pricing vary, so the brand name alone does not establish a fixed national price.
Assumptions: U.S. mid-market pricing, standard pan, normal access, no major plumbing or structural repairs.
How pan, drain, and labor charges appear on a quote
Ask the installer to separate the pan price from installation and site-preparation charges. Quotes often bundle these items, which can make two proposals difficult to compare. The ranges below are typical planning allowances rather than a manufacturer price list.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Usually included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onyx pan | $700-$1,800 per unit | Size, shape, finish, custom order | Base only |
| Drain and connection parts | $50-$250 | Drain type, compatibility, replacement needs | Parts may be itemized separately |
| Installation labor | $500-$1,200 | Fit, access, leveling, crew time | Setting and fitting the base |
| Removal and disposal | $150-$700 | Existing base material and demolition difficulty | Only if stated in writing |
| Subfloor or plumbing repair | $150-$1,000+ | Rot, unevenness, drain location, concealed damage | Often excluded from initial quote |
Labor pricing can be estimated as . A crew might spend 5-10 hours removing an old base, preparing the area, fitting the new pan, and making the drain connection. At $75-$125 per labor hour, that is $375-$1,250 before materials or other trades, although contractors commonly quote a job total rather than an hourly bill.
Confirm whether the proposal includes waterproofing at the pan-to-wall transition, any required mortar or bedding, drain connection, cleanup, and disposal. A low bid that excludes these steps may not be comparable with a complete installation price.
Which dimensions and drain details raise the price?
Exact dimensions and drain placement are often more important than color when estimating a replacement. A standard footprint that fits the existing alcove usually limits cutting and plumbing work. If the available shower measures 60 inches across but the existing opening is out of square, the installer may need additional fitting or a made-to-order base.
Moving a drain more than a few inches can add roughly $200-$800 for plumbing labor and parts, with more expense if access from below is blocked or the drain sits in a concrete slab. A drain that already aligns with the selected pan can avoid that work. The location should be checked against the product’s drain specification before ordering.
Size also affects handling and fit. A base wider than 36 inches or longer than 60 inches may require more careful movement through doorways and tighter bathroom access. Larger formats and nonstandard shapes can add $150-$600 or more to the product price, depending on the dealer and order details.
Floor condition is another threshold to check. If the subfloor is level and structurally sound, preparation may be limited; correcting a slope or replacing damaged material can add $150-$1,000+. A pan should not be installed over a soft or deteriorated floor simply to avoid that repair.
How long installation takes and what labor covers
A simple pan swap may take one workday, but the bathroom can remain out of service longer if repairs or curing time are needed. Removal, subfloor inspection, dry fitting, setting the base, and connecting the drain commonly take a 1- or 2-person crew about 5-10 labor hours. A second visit may be needed for adjacent wall work or finishing.
At typical residential rates of $75-$125 per hour, one installer’s direct time would imply about $375-$1,250. That calculation is not necessarily the contractor’s final labor charge: business overhead, travel, minimum job charges, warranty obligations, and scheduling can be incorporated into a flat-rate quote.
Demolition can add 2-5 hours when an old acrylic or fiberglass base is accessible. Removing tile or a mortar bed may take 4-8 hours or longer, particularly if the crew must protect the rest of the bathroom. A project that reveals wet framing or a damaged subfloor can extend beyond the initial schedule.
Ask whether the labor rate covers only setting the pan or also removal, drain hookup, cleanup, and disposal. If a plumber is needed for a drain change, that trade may bill separately, often at $90-$150 per hour, with a service minimum.
When removal, delivery, and wall work add extra charges
Pan-only pricing does not automatically include the work needed to make the surrounding shower ready. Delivery may cost $50-$250, especially for a large or heavy base or a distant job site. Some dealers include local delivery in a product package; others charge separately or require pickup.
Taking out an existing base and hauling it away commonly adds $150-$700. The low end is more likely for a lightweight unit with clear access, while a tiled or mortar-bed installation can require additional demolition and debris handling. Stairs, narrow hallways, and limited parking can also affect labor and delivery fees.
Wall panels and finishing are separate from most base-only quotes. If the project includes Onyx wall panels, installation, corners, and trim, the total shower renovation may rise by several thousand dollars depending on wall dimensions and scope. A door, valve, showerhead, and plumbing trim also require separate allowances unless listed as included.
Water damage is difficult to price before the old pan is removed. A small, accessible patch may cost a few hundred dollars; replacing extensive subfloor or framing can exceed $1,000. Request a written change-order rate or approval process so concealed damage does not lead to an unexpected, open-ended bill.
How regional labor rates shift installed pan pricing
Local labor and access can move an otherwise similar installation quote by 15%-35%. In high-cost metro areas, labor and contractor overhead may place a basic installed project near $2,500-$3,500. Smaller cities and rural markets can be closer to $1,500-$2,500 when the pan fits the existing space and plumbing remains unchanged.
Those percentages are planning comparisons, not fixed regional multipliers. A rural homeowner may face a higher travel or delivery charge if the nearest dealer or installer is far away. In dense urban areas, parking, building access, elevator reservations, and debris rules can add costs that are uncommon in a single-family home with driveway access.
Dealer availability also matters because a specialty solid-surface pan may need to be ordered through a local distributor. Compare the delivered product price, lead time, and return policy, not just the displayed base price. A low product quote can lose its advantage if freight, handling, or a second trip is excluded.
For a fair comparison, request two or three itemized quotes using the same pan size, drain location, removal scope, wall work, and disposal requirements. Regional differences are easier to identify when each contractor prices the same finished result.
Onyx pans compared with acrylic and tiled shower floors
Material choice changes the upfront budget and the amount of finish work required. A basic acrylic shower base may cost about $200-$800 for the unit and $900-$2,200 installed, assuming standard dimensions and no major plumbing changes. It is often a lower-cost substitute, though product feel, appearance, and available sizes differ.
An Onyx base typically costs more than an entry-level acrylic model but can provide a heavier solid-surface construction and a coordinated finish. The installed range of roughly $1,500-$3,500 reflects the base and straightforward labor, not a complete shower remodel.
A custom tile shower floor may cost approximately $1,500-$4,000 or more for the floor portion, depending on waterproofing, tile selection, drain type, and labor. It can accommodate unusual shapes, but the waterproofing and tile work take more steps than setting a prefabricated pan. Poorly executed water management can create costly repair risks.
Replacement rather than repair makes sense when a base is cracked, leaking, or no longer compatible with the enclosure. A minor drain or seal repair may cost $150-$600 if the pan itself remains sound. A contractor should identify the leak source before treating a failed pan as a simple caulking problem.
Which choices can lower an Onyx pan installation quote?
Keeping the footprint and drain location unchanged is usually the most controllable way to limit installation expense. Select a standard size that matches the existing opening where possible, and verify dimensions at several points because walls and corners may not be square. Avoid ordering until the installer has checked the drain center and the finished wall-to-wall measurements.
Compare quotes on identical scope rather than choosing the lowest headline figure. Ask each contractor to specify the pan model and size, delivery, removal, drain connection, floor preparation, disposal, and warranty. If one quote is $500 lower but excludes demolition or plumbing, it may cost more once those tasks are added.
Handle safe, nontechnical preparation where appropriate: clear the room, remove personal items, and arrange access before the crew arrives. Do not remove plumbing, cut the subfloor, or discard the existing base before the installer confirms the plan. Unplanned damage or incorrect measurements can erase any labor savings.
Skip upgrades that do not solve a stated need, such as replacing a working valve or adding wall panels to a pan-only project. If the old base is intact and a localized drain or seal repair addresses the leak, compare that repair quote with replacement before committing. Budget check: retain 10%-15% of the project amount for hidden floor or plumbing repairs.