Tub-to-shower conversion: what to know before you start
Converting a tub to a shower is one of the most popular bathroom projects, and for good reason: it’s safer, roomier and easier to clean. Here’s what to think through before the tub goes out the door.
1. Decide what kind of shower
Prefab base and panels are fastest and lowest cost. Custom tile lets you choose size, tile, niches and a bench. Curbless removes the step entirely but needs floor work. HomeGuide puts prefab conversions at roughly $1,000 to $8,000 and custom tiled walk-ins at about $3,500 to $15,000.
2. Think about resale (a little)
If this is the only tub in the house and you might sell to a family with small kids, keep a tub somewhere. If there’s another tub, a great shower in the primary bath is usually a selling point, not a drawback.
3. Budget for what’s under the tub
Tubs hide things. Slow leaks at the drain or overflow can soften the subfloor over years. A good contractor will tell you up front how they handle hidden damage: we stop, show you, and price the fix before we continue.
4. Waterproofing is the whole ballgame
Tile and grout are not waterproof. A tiled shower depends on the waterproof layer behind and below the tile, plus a properly sloped pan and a sealed drain. Ask any contractor exactly what system they use and whether they flood-test the pan before tiling.
5. Plan the details while the walls are open
- Niche: where your bottles live. Place it on a wall that isn’t exterior, and out of the direct spray.
- Bench: built-in or fold-down, useful for shaving legs, sitting, or future needs.
- Blocking: solid wood in the walls for grab bars now or later.
- Valve: a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve helps prevent temperature swings.
- Handheld shower: on a slide bar, reachable from the bench.
- Controls by the entry: so you can turn the water on without stepping into the cold blast.
6. Glass, curtain or open?
A fixed glass panel keeps water in and the room looking open. A hinged door seals better but needs swing space. A curtain is cheap and flexible. All three work; the choice is mostly about looks, budget and cleaning tolerance.
7. Expect a short, noisy week (or two)
Angi notes that a straightforward prefab conversion can take one to three days. Custom tile takes longer because of waterproofing, tile and grout steps, and custom glass is usually measured after tile. Plan for the shower to be out of service for that window.
Sources: HomeGuide, Tub to Shower Conversion Cost; Angi, Walk-In Shower Cost (2026).