How Much Will It Cost to Convert a Tub Into a Shower?

If you’re dreaming about stepping into a curbless, walk-in shower but your outdated tub is in the way, tub-to-shower conversion costs can be as low as $1,200—and it’s generally a fast and easy project. However, If you have your heart set on a tiled shower, fancy showerhead, or other premium accessories, you can expect to pay up to $8,000 or even more, depending on materials.

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.

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.

Average Cost for Replacing a Tub With a Shower in Your Area

The average costs to replace a bathtub with a shower throughout the United States are as follows. 

Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost Breakdown

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When breaking down expenses, you’ll notice that the costs to remove a bathtub and install a shower are generally categorized as labor or material.

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 Shower Installation

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.

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.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Convert My Tub Into a Shower?

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When budgeting the costs of upgrading to a walk-in shower, you’ll need to account for shower size, shower style, material, and customization options.

Size

The size of your shower plays a large part in the overall cost of your project. Smaller showers use less material, so they generally also cost less. This is especially true when installing a tiled shower. In terms of manufactured shower stalls, adhering to common sizes will give you lower prices and more choices.

Style

Manufactured shower stalls cost less than tiled showers because they require less labor during installation. Many kits of this style come as one piece or a few panels that you simply attach to studs. Tiled showers require the installation of a backing, plus tile on the walls and floor. This takes considerable effort and experience for a good result, so it costs more to go this route.

Materials

Whether you’re choosing a shower stall kit or a tiled shower, you can expect project costs to vary based on the materials you choose. Basic shower stalls tend to be just three white walls, while upgraded kits may come with a door, built-in seating and shelves, and molded designs or specialty colors. 

When it comes to tiled showers, the cost of tile is generally the largest expense. You can keep costs low if you choose white ceramic tile (about 50 cents per square foot), but you also have your choice of pattern tiles and luxury options like marble and porcelain (which can run $15 per square foot and higher). The cost of the shower pan can easily be twice the cost of the tile, depending on the size and material.

Customization

Generally, the more detail that goes into a project, the higher the project costs. Tiled showers tend to allow for the greatest customization, so if you choose unique dimensions, add shelves, or pick a complicated tile design, you can expect to pay more.

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

Taking on the job of replacing a tub with a shower can save you $1,000 or more in labor costs. 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 local shower installer at the outset.

“There’s a high likelihood of an untrained homeowner installing a drain incorrectly and causing a backup of sewer gases 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.