Shower door installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering shower door installation

Shower door installation is a measure and seal job where the curb level, the anchor choice and the seal are what the customer sees and uses every day. Your win is an accurate measure, a clean install and a door that closes smoothly without leaking.

What customers ask

  • Will the door leak at the bottom?
  • Can you mount it on my tile without cracking it?
  • Is the glass safe for a shower?
  • How long before I can use the shower after you seal it?
  • Will the hardware match the other fixtures in my bathroom?
  • What happens if the curb is not level?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask for the enclosure type, the opening, the wall and curb materials, and any existing damage, so you bring the right glass and hardware.
  • Bring a sample of the glass and the hardware finish to the visit, and show the homeowner the seal and the hinge on a sample.
  • Measure the opening at three heights and check the curb for level on the site visit, photographing the tile, the curb and the wall before any drilling.
  • Put the enclosure type, glass thickness and finish, hardware, anchors, seals and removal in the quote as separate lines.
  • Explain the seal plan and the cure time for the silicone in plain words, so the homeowner knows when they can use the shower.
  • Test the door for swing, close and seal before you leave, and show the homeowner the result.
  • Send a closeout packet with the glass safety rating, the hardware list, the warranty and the glass care instructions.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of finished shower doors that show the seal line, the hinge and the wall anchor
  • Enclosure types you install, such as sliding, hinged, fixed, and framed or frameless
  • Glass types and finishes you offer, including tempered, frosted and textured
  • Service area and whether you handle curb repair and tile work with the install

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a seal check after the first year, since bathroom seals wear and can need replacing.
  • Suggest a glass cleaning product list for the enclosure, so the homeowner keeps the glass clear without damaging the seals.
  • Recommend a curb and grout check if water is getting past the threshold.

Licenses and permits

Shower door installation is commonly done by licensed glass companies, glaziers or general contractors, and rules vary by place. Check your state and local licensing requirements before you bid, including permits for curb, wall or plumbing changes.

Questions

Do I need a permit to install a shower enclosure?

Usually not for the enclosure alone. Curb rebuilds, wall changes or plumbing work can need one. Check with the local building office before you start that part of the job.

How do I handle a curb that is out of level?

Stop, measure it, and show the homeowner the gap. Recommend a shim or a curb repair as a separate line, and do not force the door to fit.

Do I need to tell the homeowner about the glass safety rating?

Yes. Show the rating on the glass, say in writing that the glass is tempered where the shower requires it, and put that in the closeout.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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