2024 Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost: A Complete Guide | Angi (2024)

Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost Breakdown

If you plan to replace a tub with a shower, costs are largely dependent on materials and labor. The larger your shower is, the more it will cost. The same goes for using higher-end materials or larger amounts of materials. Here’s how some of the costs break down.

Size

You’ll pay more for larger showers, particularly if they’re made from tile, because they use more materials and can take more time to install. That’s not the only size factor. Custom or unusual shapes tend to cost more like penny tile that takes extra concentration. You can save money on a tub-to-shower remodel if you install a standard-sized shower.

Shower Type

The cost of installing your new shower will depend on your chosen type. In addition to cost, the type of shower you install will impact your comfort in the space and the overall look of your bathroom.

Manufactured Shower Stall

Manufactured shower stalls are the most budget-friendly option. They can be found at major home improvement centers and often include built-in shelves and grab bars. Material and installation costs range from $1,000 to $8,000 and depend on the style, size, and whether you install it yourself or hire a pro.

Tiled Shower

While tiled showers can be DIY projects, depending on your experience level, they’re jobs that are usually better left to professionals. The cost to tile a shower ranges between $225 and $1,920, but the range is mostly dependent on materials. For example, ceramic tiles can cost as little as $0.50 per square foot, while porcelain and natural stone can run $15 per square foot and higher.

Curbless Shower

Installing a curbless shower is more expensive because it requires cutting out the shower floor to install an appropriate shower pan. These pans slope more dramatically towards the drain to keep water from sitting or escaping the shower. This type of project typically costs $2,650 to $8,350.

Shower Material

Certain materials cost less than others. Generally, prefabricated shower panels made from acrylic or fiberglass cost less than tiles. Natural stone tends to come with the highest price tag—but it depends on the type. Here’s how different materials impact shower installation costs:

• Tile: $1–$17 per sq. ft.

• Cultured marble: $10–$35 per sq. ft.

• Cultured granite: $40–$64 per sq. ft.

• Quartz: $50-$100 per sq. ft.

• Fiberglass or acrylic insert: $400–$2,000

Labor

Labor is one of the largest bathroom remodel cost factors. You could spend upwards of $1,000 on labor costs alone. Tile showers tend to cost the most in labor because they take the longest to install. Prefabricated shower stalls made from acrylic or fiberglass generally have the lowest labor costs.

The labor cost also depends on the kind of contractor needed. If you’re not changing any existing plumbing, your costs is just for the labor installation. If you need to hire a plumber to change the layout, expect to spend $45 to $200 per hour on the cost of a plumber.

Permits

You’ll generally need a permit for any project that involves plumbing. A bathroom permit costs between $200 and $2,000, depending on local regulations and the size of the project. You may spend less on simple tub-to-shower conversion than you would on a more extensive bathroom remodel idea.

Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost by Type

There’s no one way to convert a tub into a shower, and costs will vary depending on the type of shower you want to create.

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Convert a Tub Into a Walk-In Shower

The cost to convert a tub into a walk-in shower ranges from $800 to $15,000 and depends on several factors, including shower size, material, style, whether you’re installing doors, and any plumbing work. If you’re replacing a tub with a prefabricated walk-in shower stall kit, you’ll pay $1,000 to $8,000. Converting a tub into a custom, tiled walk-in shower costs $3,500 to $15,000.

Replace a Bathtub With a Shower Stall

The total cost to replace a tub with a shower stall can range from $1,000 to $8,000, depending on the size, shape, style, and material of the prefab shower stall kit. You can choose from several kit shapes; see the average price ranges in the table below. These costs do not include professional installation.

Additional Tub-to-Shower Conversion Costs to Consider

There are some additional factors that can impact the total cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower. With a tub-to-shower remodel, you can splurge on accessories, fixtures, and other modifications which can raise the price tag. Here are some extra costs to consider.

Cost to Remove and Dispose of an Old Tub

The cost of removing an old bathtub and disposing of it is typically $150 to $300. It may cost more if you have a heavy claw-foot tub or need to rent a truck for hauling.

Cost of Repairs and Modifications

If you need to complete repairs, add new plumbing, or change the layout of your bathroom, you can expect your project costs to go up by $300 to $2,400, depending on the extent of the work. Depending on your location, licensed plumbers can charge up to $90 per hour.

Cost of a Shower Door

No matter which shower type you choose, you’ll need to budget for a new shower door and its installation costs. You’ll find that even most shower stall kits don’t come with a door, so you’ll need to account for this added expense.

Shower doors generally cost $600 to $1,350, depending on the style you choose. Basic sliding, hinged, or fixed shower doors consist of aluminum frames and tracks with clear glass. You can upgrade to more premium materials and glass for an added cost.

Another shower door option is the frameless door. Made without metal supports, this style of door is an upgrade that adds a modern touch, but frameless shower doors do have their own pros and cons.

Cost of a Showerhead and Other Accessories

Depending on the setup of your previous tub, you may have a showerhead that you can reuse with your new shower. However, it might make more sense to purchase a new one. Not only will you benefit from new technology, but you’ll also have the opportunity to choose a showerhead that fits perfectly with your new shower design.

The price of a new showerhead can vary dramatically depending on the style and brand you choose, with typical costs ranging from $50 to $900. The most basic showerheads offer a single spray pattern and a handle for adjusting temperature and water pressure.

More sophisticated showerheads include handheld sprays, temperature controls, multiple spray settings, built-in water softeners, and more. Luxury showerheads may include body spray jets for a therapeutic experience, while steam shower fixtures can transform your space into a spa.

Accessibility or Safety Features

In general, expect to spend an additional $600 on basic accessibility features, like a grab bar and seat. These features can offer stability and help reduce the risk of slips and falls.

Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Taking on the job of replacing a tub with a shower yourself can save you $1,000 or more off the cost of converting a tub to a walk-in shower. On top of this, many hardware stores sell shower stall kits that come with nearly everything you need for installation, minus basic tools and necessities like a power drill, level, and caulk. This means you can install your own shower for as little as $1,200. If you’d like to install a tiled shower, you can DIY starting at about $2,150.

However, keep in mind that these budgets don’t cover the cost of removing your old tub and hauling it away. They also don’t include the cost of cleanup and finishing touches, like painting walls. Should you run into a problem with plumbing, such as a broken pipe or the need to move an existing drain, you may find that it would have cost less to hire a shower installer near you at the outset.

“There’s a high likelihood of an untrained homeowner installing a drain incorrectly and causing a backup of sewer gasses into the home,” says Jeff Botelho, Expert Review Board member and licensed journeyman plumber. Having an experienced pro complete the job to code and safely cannot be overstated.

How to Save on Tub-to-Shower Conversion

It goes without saying that the cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower can vary, especially when you think about adding additional features. Before you start your project, you’ll always want to shop around for a contractor. Interviewing at least three shower installers can give you a feel for the market, so you know which prices are reasonable. If a price sounds too good to be true, it often is.

Once you find a contractor, these tips for tub-to-shower conversions can save you some more money:

• Choose budget-friendly materials and skip high-end tile or stone.

• When possible, go prefab. This comes with lower material and labor costs.

• Choose a standard shower size rather than a custom shower size.

• Choose basic fixtures rather than a luxury showerhead.

• Do some of the labor yourself. If you can remove your tub without touching the plumbing, you can save on labor costs (but only do this if you really know what you’re doing).