You could want to turn a bathtub into a shower for several reasons, whether it’s to free up a little extra room in the bathroom or to satisfy your long-held goal for that ultimate bathing shower. If you choose premium materials and enhanced utilities, a bathroom shower can be just as lavish as a bathtub.
In this article, we will walk through the average price of converting a tub to a shower, all of the variables that affect the cost, along with everything else you need to know.
What Exactly is a Tub-to-Shower Conversion?
In a tub-to-shower conversion, an existing bathtub is removed, and a shower is mounted in its vacated spot. Some businesses only offer this service, whereas others provide a variety of other bathroom upgrading services, along with substituting bathtubs with showers.
How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Tub to a Shower?
Converting a bathtub to a shower may cost between two thousand and eight thousand dollars. However, the average cost range is three thousand dollars. The style of shower you choose for your substitute tub, whether any repairs need to be made to the area where the shower fixture will be installed, the materials you pick, and manpower costs depending on your location will all eventually impact how much your project will wind up costing.
The Cost of Converting a Bathtub to a Shower depending on the Type
When you want to convert your bathtub, you have an extensive list of shower alternatives from which you can choose. There are several advantages as well as disadvantages to each variety, and prices fluctuate.
1. Shower Walk-In
A walk-in shower is among the priciest alternatives. This is primarily due to the fact that they are more significant than other shower categories. These variations mostly have no doors. You should budget between seven hundred dollars to seven thousand dollars for the being put in place.
2. Shower Stall
The price of a conventional shower stall can range from seven hundred dollars to one thousand six hundred dollars. You get to choose from a variety of different kit shapes. You could expect to pay more for lavish finishing or more functionality.
3. Shower Tiles
The material used determines how much tiling a shower will cost. The cost of fiberglass tile, grout, as well as labor is twenty five dollars per square foot whereas porcelain and stone can cost fifteen dollars per square foot.
4. Curbless shower
Curbless showers use sloped floors to drain the water and are perfectly level with the bathroom flooring. These might add extra accessibility and give your house an upgraded look. However, these kinds of variations frequently have the highest costs. The majority of the additional expense is due to altering the floor to ensure effective water drainage.
Additional Factors Impacting Price
Although your final cost will be primarily determined by the dimension and type of shower you select, there are a number of other variables to keep in mind.
1. Fittings and materials
Natural stone tends to be more expensive than ceramic tile, and a prefab shower pan will be less costly than ceramic tile flooring. In addition to flooring and wall coverings, you must decide on other hardware, such as a shower head. The last thing to consider is that certain shower styles and colors are more costly than others.
2. Permit and regulations
In most cases, a permit is required for any plumbing-related job. The cost of a bathroom permit might range from two hundred to two thousand dollars, based on the construction’s scale and local requirements. A basic tub-to-shower conversion could cost less than a more complicated bathroom remodeling task.
3. Repairs or New Components
Removing the tub can occasionally result in damage that needs to be fixed. It may be necessary to pay for pipe replacements, wall repair, tile restoration, and even damage caused by water.
4. Costs of labor
It is not a good idea to remove your bathtub and install a shower by yourself instead. You might have to pay a plumber to relocate the water pipes or hire an expert to lay the tile according to what you would like to include in your renovation.
When you receive quotations from contractors, find out the price they would charge for labor and what terms they would use to employ a subcontractor. You should anticipate that the project will be divided roughly in half.
5. Removal of the bathtub
Installing and removing a tub can be more costly than putting in a shower. Sometimes, the expense of tub removal is higher than the cost of getting a new shower. It typically costs between four hundred and eight hundred dollars to remove an old tub, based on the number of people that are required to remove the tub from the structure. Removal, elimination, wall cleansing, and restoration are all included in the process.
6. Custom elements
Are you planning to install tile on the walls or the flooring? Would you want built-in seating? What is the required number of shower heads? The cost will go up for each of these extras as everything will depend on your personal preferences.
Is Selling Value Affected When a Tub Is Upgraded to a Shower?
Unless you are getting rid of your only bathtub, upgrading your bathtub into a shower usually does not affect the value of your house when you sell it. Clients who have kids usually want a home with at least one bathtub. A bathtub being converted to a shower in a bathroom could possibly boost the resale value of your house if it includes an extra full bathroom.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Shower
One argument supporting the idea of a renovation is that showers take up less room. Because of this, they are a sensible option for smaller bathrooms. They are also swift, simple to use, and water-efficient—that is if you don’t take long showers. This makes going for a bath quick and refreshing, which is beneficial for people who are continuously on the go.
They might not provide the same level of immersive pleasure as bathtubs, which is a downside. The second is that showers tend to be more difficult to clean than bathtubs for smaller children.
Reasons to Replace Your Bathtub with a Shower
Showers are easier to get to, especially for people who have trouble moving around. Some bathtub designs might be challenging for older people to use. Because it can maximize available space, a shower conversion is a practical option for modern, small bathrooms.
Furthermore, standing showers are now common in homes instead of bathtubs. An elegant, well-designed shower can improve the overall look of your bathroom and make it attractive and stylish.
Why Choose Smart Remodeling LLC for Your Tub-to-Shower Conversion?
If you’re considering a tub-to-shower conversion or any other bathroom remodeling project, Smart Remodeling LLC is the perfect choice for your needs. Based in Houston, Texas, we proudly offer expert residential and commercial remodeling services throughout the surrounding areas.
Our comprehensive bathroom remodeling services include:
- Bathtub and Shower Installation: Whether you’re converting a tub to a shower or installing a new bathtub, we provide high-quality installation to meet your design and functional needs.
- Bathroom Flooring Replacement: We offer a wide range of stylish, durable flooring options to complement your new shower or bathtub.
- Bathroom Backsplash Installation: Enhance your bathroom with custom backsplashes that add style and practicality.
- Painting & Wall Covering Ideas: Transform your space with fresh, modern paint or wall coverings designed to fit your aesthetic.
- Handicap Bathroom Remodeling: We specialize in making bathrooms more accessible with thoughtful design and installations, ensuring safety and comfort.
Smart Remodeling LLC was honored with the Best of Houzz Award 2024 for our exceptional work and customer service. Whether you need a simple tub-to-shower conversion or a complete bathroom overhaul, our experienced team will guide you through every step of the process, delivering top-notch results.
The Bottom Line
One excellent method to improve accessibility in your bathroom is to swap out your bathtub for a shower. It typically costs about three thousand dollars. Additionally, it could provide you with a tiny amount of additional floor space in your more compact bathroom.
However, adding a shower instead of a bathtub could lower the value of your house if you only have one. Therefore, it could be easier to just install a shower in your bathtub so that it can be used as both a shower and a bath.
