If you’re considering bathroom remodeling, you may be looking for a way to update your bathtub/shower combo. You could just renovate what you already have, using bath fitters or resurfacing. However, one of the more current bathroom remodel ideas is to ditch the tub and convert it to a shower. This makes sense from a bathroom design standpoint if you don’t need a tub, and installing a walk-in shower can make your bathroom more accessible. So, how much should a tub-to-shower conversion cost.
The answer depends on several factors, but the average is about $3,000. Converting a tub to a shower can cost anywhere between $1,200 and $8,000 for this service, and a walk-in style shower costs more than a traditional stall. The reason it’s expensive is that there’s quite a bit of labor involved, and it’s complicated enough to warrant hiring a professional to do the job correctly. In the process of replacing the bathtub, the contractor will need to:
- Take out the old unit.
- Waterproof the floor and walls with a protective layer.
- Install a shower kit or put in substrate and tiles.
- Make sure there are no leaks.
- Install and test faucets.
When the bathtub is removed the debris will need to be hauled away, and there may also be clean-up and repair involved. The wall will likely need to be patched, and if the tub wasn’t properly sealed there may be water damage to manage. You’ll pay extra if you want a custom design or luxury style, because this will take longer, and the materials will cost more. If you need new plumbing or a shower door, this will bump up the cost as well. Extras like grab bars and shower seats are additional expenses.
Replacing a tub with a shower stall is typically less expensive than other options, ranging from $1,200 to $3,600, depending on the size of the shower. Shower stalls come as a kit, with only one to three pieces to install. If you decide to replace your tub with a tile shower, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,150 to $7,950. That’s a wide range because tiles vary widely in cost, starting at about 50 cents a square foot and going up to about $15 a square foot. The cost of the shower will also depend on whether or not you’ve got the right plumbing layout in place already.
Is converting from a bathtub to a shower worth the cost? That depends. Having a more accessible shower is convenient and can increase your home’s resale value, unless you’re replacing your only bathtub. If converting from a bathtub to a shower means you no longer have a tub in your home, your property value may actually decrease.
When you’re looking for bathroom or kitchen remodeling in Arizona, trust the team at Re-Bath & Kitchens®. Having served homeowners in the area since 2010, we’ve got the home design expertise needed to provide a wide range of bathroom and kitchen remodeling services. Our service is exceptional, and we deliver innovative, high-performance products in our four showrooms in Maricopa County and Northern Arizona. Visit one of our spacious showrooms, call us at 480-359-1778, or contact us through our website for more information.
