Most bathrooms include a bathtub/shower combo, but modern homes are often fitted with a walk-in shower instead. Luckily, a bathtub-to-shower conversion is not only possible, but it’s also a relatively affordable option, especially considering the value it can add to your home.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how much it costs to convert a bathtub to a shower and share some tips for getting this home improvement project done.
Quick Takeaways
Bathtub conversion to a shower costs an average of $4,000.
Bathtub-to-shower conversion kits are a more affordable way to modernize your bathroom, but customization options will be more limited.
If you only have a single bathtub in your home, you should consider leaving it in place to avoid taking a hit to your home value.
Bathtub-to-Shower Conversion Cost
Converting a bathtub to a shower costs an average of $4,000, and most projects fall somewhere between $1,200 and $10,000. These averages include the cost to remove the existing tub and replace it with a walk-in shower.
You’ll pay closer to the lower end if you’re installing a budget-friendly prefabricated shower body, and the higher end of the price range is more accurate for homeowners who want a custom-tiled walk-in shower. High-end materials with custom installation could total up to $20,000.
Factors Affecting the Conversion Cost
There are a few important things that can affect your tub-to-shower conversion costs, including the type of shower you’re looking for, the materials you choose, and unforeseen issues, like hidden mold growth or plumbing leaks behind or underneath the old bathtub.
Make sure to consider all of the following to get an accurate estimate for your project.
Materials
The total cost of this type of bathroom remodel can look very different depending on the types of materials you choose.
For example, choosing a prefabricated fiberglass or acrylic shower pan and shower surround will significantly lower your costs. Some companies even make bathtub-to-shower conversion kits that make the installation significantly faster. The materials will cost between $2,000 and $3,000, and the installation labor averages around $1,000, so you’re looking at a total cost of about $4,000, including tub removal.
If you opt for a custom walk-in shower, material costs will vary more widely. You can use the table below to see what different materials will cost.
Material | Installation Cost |
Ceramic tile | $6,000 to $12,000 |
Composite stone | $2,000 to $6,000 |
Glass tile | $5,000 to $12,000 |
Natural stone | $6,000 to $20,000 |
Porcelain tile | $7,000 to $14,000 |
Solid surface | $2,000 to $8,000 |
Bathtub Removal
Removing a bathtub costs around $300, including the cost to have your professional haul away the material.
Prices can fall between $200 and $1,000, depending on the size of the tub and how heavy it is. For example, a heavy clawfoot tub will cost more in removal and dumping fees than a simple fiberglass tub.
You’ll need to think about what’s covering the walls in your bathtub area, too. If you’re removing tiling to replace it, then the removal will take far longer and increase the cost.
Installation Complexity
The more complex your tub-to-shower conversion is, the more you’ll pay in labor fees and in total.
If your existing bathtub isn’t a shower/tub combo, for example, you’ll need to pay $100 to $250 to have a plumber remove the tub faucet connection and install additional plumbing up to your new showerhead.
Even if you already have the plumbing in place for a shower, you may incur added costs if you want your showerhead relocated inside the new shower, like to the ceiling for a rain showerhead or to the opposite wall.
Shower Features
Your selection of shower features will also have an impact on the overall cost of the shower remodel project. Specialty features include low-flow showerheads, glass shower doors, high-quality taps and faucets, and shower pans.
We’ll include some individual costs in the table below to give you an idea of where your price is likely to fall.
Shower Feature | Added Cost for Conversion |
Framed glass doors | $300 to $1,200 |
Frameless glass doors | $900 to $2,300 |
Grab bars | $85 to $300 each |
Niches | $100 to $400 each |
Built-in shelves | $75 to $300 each |
Bench | $100 to $500 |
Size
You can expect to pay an average of $320 per square foot of tub space to convert it to a shower. Larger tubs like indoor spas and whirlpool tubs will cost more in most cases. However, there are also circumstances where this rule doesn’t apply.
For example, installing a prefabricated shower body to save money on installation costs means you’ll mostly be limited to standard dimensions. If you have a non-standard tub size, converting to a shower could cost more than usual if it means you have to go custom.
Unexpected Repairs
Finally, you may want to set aside a portion of your budget for hidden damages and unexpected repairs. Removing a tub could reveal mold damage, water damage, or plumbing leaks, all of which can add hundreds to your conversion costs.
Tips for a Bathtub-to-Shower Conversion
If the costs above are in line with your budget, use the tips below to ensure your transition to a luxurious walk-in shower goes smoothly.
Choose the Right Size
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends that a shower stall be at least 36x36 inches wide. However, most building codes will allow a shower to be as small as 30 inches by 30 inches.
You may have to make additional changes to your bathroom layout if you install a shower that doesn’t match the dimensions of the old bathtub.
For example, modifications such as wall extensions or extending the shower area a few inches further into your bathroom may be required if you’re installing a shower where an alcove bathtub was. This could be problematic in small bathrooms.
Consider Your Windows
It is quite common for a bathtub to have a window sitting directly above it. If this is the case for your bathtub, converting to a shower may require much more work than you initially planned.
A small window in a shower area is acceptable, but only if the window sits 60 inches or more off the ground. This is both a privacy and safety concern. If someone slips in the shower, having the window higher off the ground prevents a hand or elbow from going through the glass. A low window in a shower is also more likely to get wet, which can increase the risk of water damage, mold, and mildew behind your shower walls.
You may need to add $600 to $1,200 to your total if you need to downsize your existing window and install a shorter window higher up on the wall.
Don’t Remove Your Only Bathtub
Finally, if you only have one bathtub in your home, you may want to reconsider your bathtub-to-shower conversion plans. Most homebuyers look for at least one tub in a home for full functionality, so removing the only one could actually have a negative impact on your home value rather than a positive one.
FAQ: Bathtub to Shower Conversion
A tub-to-shower conversion can be a great way to modernize your bathroom, but there are some cases in which you may want to reconsider. Most importantly, if you’re converting your only bathtub to a shower, you could devalue your home. Additionally, if you have a low window above your tub, converting to a shower will require reframing and replacing the window for safety and privacy, which can significantly increase your costs.
Professional installation for a tub-to-shower conversion can take as little as 2 days if your shower will have the same dimensions as the old tub and you choose a prefabricated shower body. Custom conversions can take one to two weeks or longer if you need to make additional changes to windows or bathroom layout.
Technically, you can DIY your bathtub-to-shower conversion project, but it’s usually not a good idea. The work requires a high level of skill, and it’s easy to make mistakes that could lead to a poor aesthetic and even a higher risk of water damage and mold issues. It’s a good idea to hire a pro for this bathroom renovation project, and you’ll usually need to, anyway, if the conversion includes changes to your plumbing.
Dan was a property manager from 2015 to 2020, during which time he managed and oversaw the upkeep and repairs of over 2,000 residential properties. He uses that experience, as well as his extensive DIY knowledge, to bring reliable information to homeowners about renovations and home-related projects. Since 2020, he has been using his experience to write about home improvement, and his work has appeared on sites like USA Today, CNN, Angi, and Today’s Homeowner.