Who to Hire to Regrout Your Shower for a Perfect Finish

You step into your shower, hoping for a refreshing start to your day, but your eyes land on it: the discolored, cracked, and frankly disgusting grout between your tiles. It’s an eyesore that ruins the entire look of your bathroom, but it’s more than just a cosmetic problem. Failing grout is a welcome mat for moisture, mold, and serious water damage lurking behind your walls.

This leaves you with a critical question: is this a weekend DIY project, or is it time to call in a professional? And if you do hire someone, who is the right person for the job? Making the wrong choice can lead to even bigger headaches and costs down the road.

Why You Can’t Ignore Crumbling or Moldy Grout

That deteriorating grout is not just an aesthetic issue; it’s a critical failure of your shower’s primary defense against water. Ignoring it can lead to a cascade of problems that are far more expensive and difficult to fix than regrouting.

The Hidden Dangers of Damaged Grout

The most significant risk of failing grout is water damage. Grout creates a seal between tiles, preventing water from seeping into the wall cavity. When that seal is broken by cracks or missing chunks, water gets behind the tiles, saturating the wallboard, wood studs, and insulation. This can lead to wood rot, structural issues, and the costly replacement of entire walls.

Furthermore, this trapped moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. This isn’t just about ugly black spots; mold can release spores into the air, potentially causing respiratory issues and other health problems for your family. A musty smell in your bathroom is a major red flag that you may have a hidden mold problem.

Telltale Signs It’s Time to Regrout

Stay vigilant for the early warning signs of grout failure. The sooner you act, the more likely you are to prevent extensive damage. Be on the lookout for:

• Visible Cracks and Holes: Any gap, no matter how small, is a potential entry point for water.
• Crumbling or Sandy Texture: If you can scrape grout out with your fingernail, its integrity is compromised.
• Stubborn Discoloration and Stains: Grout that remains stained or dark even after a deep clean often has mold or mildew embedded deep within its porous structure.
• Loose or Shifting Tiles: If a tile moves when you press on it, the grout holding it in place has failed, and water is likely getting behind it.

Your Options: Who Should You Call to Regrout a Shower?

When you’ve decided to hire a professional, you’ll find there are a few different types of pros who can take on the job. Each has its own set of skills, costs, and potential drawbacks. Understanding the differences is key to choosing the right person for your specific situation.

The General Handyman: A Cost-Effective Choice?

A handyman is often the first person homeowners think of for smaller repairs around the house. They are typically versatile and may offer a lower hourly rate than a specialized contractor. For a very small, straightforward regrouting job, a handyman with proven experience in tiling might be a sufficient and budget-friendly option.

However, the risk with a handyman lies in their lack of specialized knowledge. Regrouting isn’t just about smearing new grout into place. Proper removal of the old grout is the most critical step, and it requires specific tools and techniques to avoid damaging the tiles. An inexperienced person might only do a superficial job, or worse, chip your tiles, leading to more expensive repairs.

The Professional Tiling Contractor: The Tile Expert

A tiling contractor, or tiler, specializes in all things tile. Their daily work involves setting tiles and grouting, so they have a deep understanding of the materials and processes involved. They possess professional-grade tools for efficiently grinding out old grout without damaging the surrounding tile.

Hiring a tiling contractor is an excellent choice, especially if you have delicate or expensive tiles like glass or natural stone. They are also more likely to identify underlying issues, such as a water-damaged backer board or loose tiles that need to be reset. While their services may cost more than a handyman’s, the quality and durability of their work often justify the investment.

The Grout and Restoration Specialist: The Niche Expert

For the highest level of expertise, you can turn to a company that specializes specifically in grout and tile restoration. These specialists focus exclusively on cleaning, sealing, repairing, and replacing grout and caulk. They are often equipped with the latest technology and highest-quality products, including premium epoxy grouts and commercial-grade sealants.

Grout specialists are the best choice for complex situations, such as restoring a historic tile installation or dealing with stubborn mold issues. They often offer warranties on their work, providing peace of mind. This level of specialization typically comes at the highest price point, but for a job done with maximum precision and longevity, they are hard to beat.

Professional	Typical Cost (per square foot)	Pros	Cons
Handyman	$10 – $20	– Generally lower cost – Good for very small repairs	– Skill level can vary widely – May lack specialized tools – Higher risk of tile damage
Tiling Contractor	$15 – $25	– Expert in tile and grout – Professional tools and techniques – Can identify underlying issues	– More expensive than a handyman – May prioritize larger installation jobs
Grout Specialist	$20 – $30+	– Highest level of specialization – Uses premium materials (e.g., epoxy grout) – Often offers a warranty	– Typically the most expensive option – May be harder to find in some areas

Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring Anyone

Regardless of who you decide to call, vetting them properly is crucial. A few well-chosen questions can save you from a botched job and future headaches. Don’t be afraid to interview potential hires thoroughly.

Here are the essential questions you should ask:

1. Are you licensed and insured? This is non-negotiable. A license proves they meet local standards, and insurance protects you from liability in case of accidents or property damage.
2. Can you provide recent references or a portfolio of similar work? Reputable professionals will be happy to show you their past projects and connect you with satisfied customers.
3. What is your exact process for removing the old grout? This is a critical question. The correct answer should involve using a mechanical oscillating tool with a specialized grout removal blade. If they mention using just a manual scraper or, worse, a screwdriver, it’s a major red flag. Incomplete removal of old grout is the #1 reason for new grout failure.
4. What type of grout and sealant will you use? Ask if they recommend standard cement-based grout or a premium option like epoxy grout, which offers superior stain and water resistance. Also, confirm that sealing the new grout is part of the service.
5. Is replacing the corner and base caulk included in your quote? The joints where walls meet and where the tile meets the shower pan should be caulked, not grouted. This flexible seal accommodates movement, and replacing it is an essential part of the job.
6. What is your warranty for the work? A professional who stands by their work will offer some form of guarantee or warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.
7. How long will the project take, and what is the required curing time? Get a clear timeline for the work and, just as importantly, find out how long you need to wait before using the shower. Using it too soon can ruin the new grout.

Understanding the Regrouting Process: What a Pro Should Do

A professional regrouting job is methodical and precise. Understanding the steps involved helps you recognize whether a contractor is cutting corners or doing the job right.

A high-quality regrouting service should follow these key steps:

• Step 1: Protection and Preparation. The contractor should lay down protective coverings on your bathroom floor and the shower base to prevent scratches or messes. The area should be clean and completely dry before any work begins.
• Step 2: Complete Grout Removal. Using a professional-grade oscillating tool, the technician will carefully grind out at least two-thirds of the depth of the old grout. This creates a clean, stable channel for the new grout to adhere to properly.
• Step 3: Debris Removal and Cleaning. After the old grout is removed, all dust and debris must be meticulously vacuumed from the grout lines. The surface is then often cleaned with a special solution to remove any soap scum or mildew residue.
• Step 4: New Grout Application. The fresh grout is mixed to a perfect consistency and applied using a grout float. The technician will press the grout firmly into the joints at a 45-degree angle to ensure there are no air pockets or gaps.
• Step 5: Shaping and Cleaning. After the grout has had a short time to set up, the excess is carefully wiped from the tile surface with a damp sponge. The grout lines are tooled to create a uniform, slightly concave shape.
• Step 6: Curing and Sealing. The new grout must cure, completely undisturbed, for the time specified by the manufacturer (typically 24-72 hours). After curing, a high-quality penetrating sealer is applied to the grout lines to protect them from water and stains.
• Step 7: Caulking. Finally, all corners and change-of-plane joints are filled with 100% silicone caulk to provide a flexible, waterproof seal.

The Cost Factor: How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

The cost to regrout a shower can vary significantly based on several factors. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $600 and $2,500 for a professional job. For a standard-sized shower, the cost often falls in the $1,500 range.

Key variables that influence the final price include the size of the shower, the size of the tiles (smaller tiles mean more grout lines), the type of grout used (epoxy costs more than standard grout), and regional labor rates. If there’s underlying damage that needs repair, such as replacing a section of backer board, this will add to the total cost.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: Making the Final Decision

After learning about the process, you might be wondering if you can tackle this project yourself. A DIY approach can save you several hundred dollars in labor costs, but it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.

When DIY Might Be an Option

You might consider regrouting the shower yourself if you are an experienced DIYer, you already own some of the necessary tools (like an oscillating multi-tool), and the area needing repair is very small. It requires patience, a steady hand, and meticulous attention to detail. Rushing the job or improperly removing the old grout will almost certainly lead to a poor result that fails quickly.

Why Professionals Are Usually Worth the Investment

For most homeowners, hiring a professional is the smarter, safer choice. The biggest risk of a DIY attempt is permanently scratching or chipping your tiles during the grout removal stage, a mistake that can turn a cheap project into a very expensive one. Sometimes, a seemingly simple problem is a symptom of a larger issue, and knowing when to secure a loose fixture or address hidden water damage requires an expert eye.

Professionals bring efficiency, expertise, and the right tools to get the job done correctly and quickly. What might take a homeowner an entire weekend, a pro can often complete in a matter of hours. The peace of mind that comes with a properly sealed, waterproof shower that will last for years is often worth every penny of the professional’s fee. Owning a home means being prepared for various maintenance tasks, from understanding your utilities and knowing how to turn gas back on after disconnection to handling outdoor issues like a damaged drain pipe.

Ultimately, regrouting your shower is an investment in protecting your home from water damage and maintaining its value. By choosing the right professional and ensuring the job is done correctly, you can restore your shower to its former glory and enjoy a clean, beautiful, and—most importantly—waterproof space for years to come.