Tub to Shower Conversion Cost

Last Updated on January 7, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

We live in a speed-based era. This means that we are so busy that we no longer have time for the small pleasures of life, such as a relaxing bath in the bathtub. Most of us prefer shower cabins to maintain our daily hygiene. These products allow us to clean ourselves quickly and without worries.

How Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost?

Be prepared to spend around $4,250 for converting a tub to a shower, on average, including installation. Depending on your shower tile, the installation costs will be anywhere between $100 and $155 per hour.

Depending on your needs, a tub-to-shower conversion would cost anywhere between $1,550 and $7,500. Below you will find the costs involved in each work related to this project.

• Bathtub removal – $400 to $760
• Debris removal – $100 to $310
• Shower seating – $800 to $1,500
• Drains and faucets – $100 to $1,350
• Shower doors – $590 to $1,300
• Custom shower – $2,000 to $3,400
• Plumbing installation – $850 to $2,100
• Final cleanup – $240 to $450

Hire a professional or DIY?

If you choose to do a part of the work yourself, you will save money on the tub-to-shower conversion project. Even though it may be a good idea to save money, the chances of damaging parts of the bathroom are pretty high.

Even though you will have to pay a professional installer, you can be sure that everything will be done according to a standard and you will avoid problems in the future as it is essential that your shower is waterproof and sealed.

However, if you choose to do this work yourself, make sure you understand how important it is to seal the shower.

Shower types

If you are looking for a low-cost option, you can choose to replace the tub with a shower and patch up the surrounding areas. If the plumbing is in good condition and the shower has the same size as the tub, you will spend around $1,550.

You may want to add some additional features like water-saving showerheads. Also, you will have to choose between installing a steam or an electric shower. The cheapest would be the electric showers which cost around $1,100 to install.

A more luxurious option would be the steam showers which cost around $3,550 for labor and materials.

Extra accessories

If you want to make your bathroom look much better and be more accessible, you can add some extra accessories like seating, handrails, and shelving when converting the tub to a shower. Also, it is possible to install height-adjustable sprayers and showerheads.

You might also like our articles on ceramic tile showers, bathtub replacement, or walk-in bathtub installation.

Some other accessories that will increase your costs are:

• benches;
• Shower niches;
• special shower heads such as rainfall showerheads, water-saving showerheads, etc.;
• body jets.

How to convert a tub to a walk-in shower?

A walk-in shower is extraordinary, regardless of whether you are a young professional, elderly, or suffer from limited mobility. These types of showers offer unparalleled accessibility. If you intend to renovate your bathroom and think of building a walk-in shower, the next part of the article should help you understand whether this is the right decision.

A walk-in shower is basically a shower set up directly on the bathroom floor so that it can be used quickly. This walk-in shower can be built with a very small bathtub or without, directly on the tiles of the bathroom.

It is a perfect solution for those who do not have the budget to modify the bathroom floor. Without a door and a low-profile shower tray, you can simply enter the shower without obstacles.

Depending on accessories like tiles, doors, and showerheads, you will spend anywhere between $550 and $7,100 for installing a walk-in shower.

Setting up a walk-in shower: step by step

The first step in setting up a walk-in shower is the pouring of the screed, then the installation of the drainage system, after which the waterproofing must be done and the ceramic veneer chosen. Discover what each of these steps entails!

The casting of the screed

The drainage system of a shower cabin on the floor is, perhaps, the most important part of the project. To avoid infiltration, the first step is to pour a screed.

Choice of drainage system

Another detail that should not be overlooked in the design of a walk-in shower is the drainage system. Fortunately, in specialized stores, there are a lot of dedicated products that you can choose from. Most often, gutters are used, which are mounted at the entrance to the shower, or even on the wall or on the shower platform, depending on their type. You should also take into account the positioning of the sewage installations, as well as personal preferences.

Another option would be the installation of special prefabricated bathtubs, which are placed directly under the ceramic tiles and which integrate slope elements.

Realization of waterproofing

In arranging the walk-in shower cabin, waterproofing is an extremely important step. The waterproofing must be applied to the entire surface of the floor, but also to the walls in the shower area, which are directly exposed to contact with water.

The choice of ceramic veneer

The ideal tiles for walk-in showers are those with anti-slip properties, to avoid injuries due to slippery floors. After choosing your favorite model of ceramic tiles, you will also need adhesives for tiles, tiles or natural stone, grout for joints, and a product for cleaning the adhesive and the grout.

What are the benefits of a walk-in shower?

1. Ideal for small or large bathrooms – Installing the shower cabin helps to create space and offers more flexibility for the layout.
2. Low maintenance and durability – Minimal accessories and the lack of mobile accessories mean that a walk-in shower cabin is a robust shower solution. Compared to traditional shower cabins, maintenance is also very minimal.
3. Accessibility – With no doors or obstacles to step over, walk-in showers are perfect for those with reduced mobility. You can also create a large shower space compared to traditional shower enclosures, which makes them ideal for the whole family.
4. Luxury selling point – Are you thinking of finally selling your house? The walk-in shower cabin offers a minimalist design, creating a luxury designer appeal for buyers.

How long does it take to convert a tub to a shower?

The amount of time needed to convert a tub to a shower will depend on the specifics of the project, like the appearance of your existing bathroom and the type of shower you are installing.

This project may take you only 24 hours if the conversion is a simple tub-to-shower conversion without any extra tilling and plumbing.

Setting up a walk-in shower in a small bathroom: useful tips

It may seem counterintuitive, but setting up a small bathroom with a walk-in shower is an excellent idea, because, thanks to the sliding glass shower doors or the half wall, the bathroom seems airier and more spacious.

Since the glass wall allows light to pass through, the space will seem more generous. Also, with a walk-in shower, you have the possibility to install any configuration you want, because the shower system is not already integrated, as with the shower cabin, for example. Choose a shower head with massage jets, with a waterfall or rain effect.