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Shower drain repair cost: clogs, leaks and full replacement

Shower drain repair cost depends on whether you need a clog cleared, a leaking drain fixed or the whole drain replaced. National published ranges run from about $100 for snaking to around $1,020 for a typical replacement, before any wall or floor repair. These are national figures, not local quotes.

Item	Published figure	Source
Snake a sink, tub or shower drain (national)	$100–$275	HomeGuide, Checked Oct 13, 2026
Professional drain unclogging, average (national)	$225	Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026
Tub or shower drain replacement (national)	$200–$700	HomeGuide, Checked Oct 13, 2026
Bathtub or shower drain replacement, most homeowners (national)	$500–$1,020; average $700	Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026
Drywall, unclogging and water damage repair, added (national)	$1,350–$6,100	Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026
Plumber labor for drain replacement (national)	$45–$200 per hour	Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026

Clog, leak or replacement?

A slow or standing drain is usually a clog of hair and soap, and a snake clears most of them for the price in the first row. If water shows up on the ceiling or wall below the shower, the drain body, its gasket or the pipe under it may be leaking. Replacement is the answer when the drain body is cracked or corroded, or when the old pipe has to be changed to fit a new one.

Before calling, try the steps in our sister guide on clearing a shower or tub drain clog. If you see staining or soft flooring near the shower, read how to tell a shower pan leak from a drain leak.

What changes the price

Access. A drain reachable from a basement or an access panel costs less than one under tile. Angi says opening a wall and adding new drywall costs about $2,100 (Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026).
Pipe material. Angi lists material at $0.75 to $7.50 per linear foot for PVC, $1.25 to $15 for polypropylene, $2.50 to $15 for copper, and $12.50 to $30 for cast iron, the most expensive (Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026).
Drain style. Angi says a linear shower drain costs about $200 or more for the part, against about $15 for a round drain, and linear drains usually mean a shower remodel (Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026).
Labor. Angi puts plumber labor for drain replacement at $45 to $200 per hour (Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026). HomeGuide lists plumbers at $45 to $150 per hour (HomeGuide, Checked Oct 13, 2026).
Damage found along the way. Angi says drain replacement often uncovers more work, with water damage repair from $1,350 to $6,100 (Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026).

When a leak is costing more than the drain

A slow drain leak can soak the subfloor for months. If you suspect one, stop using that shower until it is checked. Our guides to leak detection cost and water damage restoration cost cover the next steps if the damage has spread.

What to ask for in a quote

Whether the price is for clearing, repairing or replacing the drain.
How the plumber will reach the drain, and who patches the wall, ceiling or tile afterward.
What pipe material will be used, and how many feet.
Whether a leak test is included before and after.
Any trip or service-call fee.

Doing it yourself

Angi recommends leaving drain replacement to a plumber and notes that a DIY leak into the floor below can cost $45 to $55 per square foot to repair (Angi, Checked Oct 13, 2026). Clearing hair from the strainer is a fair DIY job; cutting into a drain line under tile is not.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a shower drain?

Angi's 2026 national average to replace a bathtub or shower drain is $700, and most homeowners pay $500 to $1,020. HomeGuide lists $200 to $700 for a tub or shower drain replacement.

How much does it cost to unclog a shower drain?

HomeGuide puts a plumber snaking a sink, tub or shower drain at $100 to $275 nationally. Angi says professional drain unclogging averages $225.

Why do some shower drain repairs cost thousands?

Angi says opening walls, unclogging and water damage repair can add $1,350 to $6,100, and new drywall about $2,100, on top of the drain itself.

Does the pipe material change the price?

Yes. Angi lists drainpipe material at $0.75 to $7.50 per linear foot for PVC and $12.50 to $30 for cast iron, with copper and polypropylene in between.

Is a leaking shower drain the same as a leaking shower pan?

Not always. A drain leak is at the drain body or the pipe below it, while a pan leak comes through the shower floor. A plumber can test which one it is before quoting.

Related cost guides

Sources

Angi: cost to replace a bathtub or shower drain (2026), Checked Oct 13, 2026
HomeGuide: average plumbing estimates (2026), Checked Oct 13, 2026
HomeGuide: shower repair cost (2026), Checked Oct 13, 2026

National figures from published 2026 cost guides, not local quotes. Prices in high-cost metros can be higher. Always get written quotes.